The Meaning Behind The Song: Shine by Collective Soul
When it comes to successful rock bands of the 90s, Collective Soul is undoubtedly on the list. The band’s hit single “Shine” was released in 1993 and quickly rocketed to the top of the charts. In this article, we will take a closer look at the meaning behind the song “Shine” by Collective Soul.
Table of Contents
The Backstory of Collective Soul
Before we dive into the meaning of “Shine,” let’s take a look at the band’s backstory. Collective Soul was formed in 1992 in Stockbridge, Georgia. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Ed Roland, bassist Will Turpin, lead guitarist Dean Roland, and drummer Johnny Rabb.
The band’s first album, “Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid,” was released in 1993 and featured their hit single “Shine.” The song quickly became a massive success, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Lyrics of “Shine”
Now, let’s take a closer look at the lyrics of “Shine.” The song begins with the lines “Give me a word, give me a sign. Show me where to look, tell me what will I find?” The opening lines of the song set the tone for what’s to come. The singer is searching for something, but he’s not exactly sure what it is.
The chorus of the song is the most recognizable part. It goes, “Oh, heaven, let your light shine down. Oh, heaven, let your light shine down.” The verses lead up to the chorus, where the singer is pleading for guidance and help. He’s looking for something or someone to “shine” on him and lead him in the right direction.
The second verse of the song is where things start to become clearer. The singer is talking about how he’s been blind but is now “beginning to see.” He’s finally realizing that he can’t do it all on his own and that he needs help and guidance.
The bridge of the song goes, “Love is in the water, love is in the air. Show me where to go, tell me will love be there?” Here, the singer is recognizing that love is all around him, but he needs guidance to find it.
The Deeper Meaning of “Shine”
While the lyrics of “Shine” appear to be about searching for guidance and help, some believe that the song has a deeper meaning. Some people interpret the song as a prayer for enlightenment, while others believe that it’s about the singer’s relationship with God.
When asked about the meaning behind the song, Ed Roland has said that it’s about “finding oneself and finding one’s place in the world.” He’s also said, “It’s about a spiritual connection of some sort. Whether it’s a spiritual connection with the man upstairs or whether it’s a spiritual connection with somebody that you love, or whether it’s just a spiritual connection with the planet, I think it’s just about finding that inner light. It’s about finding something that’s bigger than yourself and bigger than the moment.”
The Legacy of “Shine”
“Shine” has continued to be a song that resonates with people, even almost 30 years after its release. It’s been covered by many artists over the years, and it’s been featured in movies and TV shows.
In an interview with Billboard in 2019, Ed Roland reflected on the lasting impact of “Shine.” He said, “It’s humbling. When you write a song, you never think it’s going to be a hit, let alone a song that people are still talking about and listening to 25 years later. It’s very touching, and it means a lot to us.”
In Conclusion
“Shine” by Collective Soul is a song that’s not only catchy but also has a deeper meaning. The song’s lyrics encourage us to search for guidance when we feel lost and to recognize that there’s something bigger than ourselves. Even though it’s been almost 30 years since the song’s release, it continues to resonate with people around the world.
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