Song In The Shadows

Released in Finland in January 2003, the single achieved considerable chart success throughout Europe and Oceania, including the United Kingdom, where it reached No. 3, and New Zealand, where it topped the chart. The song was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single in 2004.

"In the Shadows"
Single by the Rasmus
from the album Dead Letters
B-side	"If You Ever"
Released	10 January 2003 (2003-01-10)
Length	4:19
Label	Playground Music Scandinavia Dynasty
Songwriter(s)	Aki Hakala Eero Heinonen Pauli Rantasalmi Lauri Ylönen
Producer(s)	Mikael Nord Andersson Martin Hansen
The Rasmus singles chronology
"Heartbreaker/Days" (2002) "In the Shadows" (2003) "In My Life" (2003)
Audio sample
"In the Shadows" file help

"In the Shadows" is written in the key of F♯ minor. The chorus is based on the "millennial whoop" vocal pattern, and is considered the earliest XXI century example of this tool in popular music. The "whoop" did exist before, but only became ubiquitous after "In the Shadows".

There are four different music videos for the song: the Finnish version, the European version, the American version, and a fourth, simplified version. A new version of the song, co-written by and featuring Ukrainian rap group Kalush Orchestra, is accompanied by a music video.

Finnish version

The video, directed in Helsinki on 13 December 2002, shows the Rasmus performing on a stage that resembles a helipad, and are in the process of stealing from a bank when the police arrive unexpectedly. Lauri Ylönen is almost caught, but manages to grab onto the safe-door, which is being dragged behind the tow-car that the group uses for the robbery, and goes skidding down the road. He falls off and runs into the woods where police dogs find him. Drummer Aki Hakala then ushers him into the car where Lauri makes his lucky escape and the car drives off. The video was included in the soundtrack of Finnish movie Pahat pojat and footage from the film was used in the video.

European version

The band are placed on a stage in a nondescript location and perform the song. Around the room there are crows flying around, who later break through the small rectangular windows. Towards the end, one crow breaks a light on the ceiling with its wings and the band performs in a shower of sparks. In the end, the band transforms into feathers.

US and UK version

In the video, directed by Philipp Stölzl in Bucharest, Romania, the band are performing a concert in what looks to be an old Victorian mansion. During the verses, a maid is seen constantly busy serving the masters of the house in what appears to be the past of the mansion. The maid sees (lead singer) Lauri and the concert in mirrors on the walls, which causes her to become distracted, making mistakes and dropping trays. Eventually, while despairing over her errors in her room, she sees Lauri and all the fans in her mirror, while the master of the house is approaching with somebody else, possibly the head maid, presumably to reprimand the new maid. Lauri tugs her through the mirror in her room to where they are performing. She then finishes watching the concert. It concludes with the master of the house and the others entering to find the maid's room empty.

Fourth version

The Rasmus are seen performing in a plain-looking room, similar in appearance to where they perform in the "Crow" version.

Kalush Orchestra version

The group released a new version of the song, titled "In the Shadows of Ukraine" and featuring Ukrainian rap group Kalush Orchestra. The music video for this version is directed by Leonid Kolosovskyi.

"In the Shadows" was released for Guitar Hero: World Tour as downloadable content. It is available as either a single track or as part of the European Track Pack 03 alongside "Break It Out" by Vanilla Sky and "C'est comme ça" by Les Rita Mitsouko. The song was also unlockable in Guitar Rock Tour.