In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Somewhere between the end
And the point where we begin
There's a fire burning brightly
That's found it's way to dim
When the feeling's gone
Shine on, shine on
And on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
I was with you in the valley
And up upon that hill
So take just one more step infromt of you
Fir I am with yo ustill
And you're not alone
Shine on, shine on
And on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
Can you see my hands are open
I am waiting just ahead
And you think you need it all now
But you needed me instead
Shine on, shine on
Shine, oh shine on
Won't you, won't you shine
Shine on, shine on
And on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
Somewhere between the end
And the point where we began...
And the point where we begin
There's a fire burning brightly
That's found it's way to dim
When the feeling's gone
Shine on, shine on
And on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
I was with you in the valley
And up upon that hill
So take just one more step infromt of you
Fir I am with yo ustill
And you're not alone
Shine on, shine on
And on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
Can you see my hands are open
I am waiting just ahead
And you think you need it all now
But you needed me instead
Shine on, shine on
Shine, oh shine on
Won't you, won't you shine
Shine on, shine on
And on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
Somewhere between the end
And the point where we began...
Lyrics submitted by MatchboxTwenty
Shine On Lyrics as written by William Rinehart Nathaniel Rinehart
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my friend's favorite songs. She died 3 days ago of cancer that she has had for 2 years. She was only 17 and three weeks away from graduating. She was high-spirited, brave, always positive, and just a wonderful person overall. Now to me, this songs is about her. About how she will always "shine on" in our lives, and in her afterlife. I believe it's about God taking her into heaven and relieving all her pain so she can be her free-spirited self once again. But that's how i look at it now and what this song means to me =]
On one level, I agree with most folks here regarding the theme of God speaking to us as we walk through the valley. However, on another more personal level I agree with gsal0823 regarding a departed love one. I have a friend who tragically lost a young child and this song feels so much like a message from the child to the parents to carry on. It is also saying that the child will always be with them in their darkest days of grieving and for them to shine on in their lives. The beginning of the song especially speaks to the parent's zest for life and will to live while the child was alive and how it has found its way to dim. The child is saying how they remember their parents and how they should overcome their grief and be victorious by moving on. The child will be waiting for them when they eventually come. Such a powerful song. My favorite from needtobreathe.
Actually if you search the Internet you can find an official video that the guys from NeedToBreathe made themselves for this song. When I watched the video it seemed to me like they were basically saying be comfortable in your own skin and to not be afraid to let your light shine because it rubs off on those around you.
If I'm right... this sounds like it's about two people re-evaluating the relationship between them, knowing it can't be quite the same as it used to be (whatever that was...) but not feeling resentful about that, just a mixture of regret and good memories. And still being part of each other, just not in the same way.
This song is about how Christians are the light of the world and how they need they need to show everyone that God is love. And also not to be afraid of persecution because God is always with them.
Hmm, I'm not too sure what it means. However, I love it!
I think this song is written from God's point of view. It's got so many references, including "I was with you in the valley" from Psalm 23, as well as "I am with you still", which i'm not sure is from. However, I believe this song is just an encouragement from God to His followers to keep persisting and shining on despite any obstacles they come across. He reassures them that it's okay to keep going, and not to forget about Him in their daily lives as they deal with the material things.
This song is about my one and only...God. People are explaining how they were there with im in the valley. It explains how christians are lighting the world. If you watch the music video you will see that there are millions of people walking around with light bulbs. those people are christians. The part where it says "when the feelings gone...shine on shine on!" that means that when you give up on everything and you feel like life is a blob of nothingness....take one more step and realse that God is with us still! WWJD?!
One of my all time favorites, actually! i analyzed this song for a poetry project in my english class last year, and what i get out of it is just an overall sense of moving on in life to where you're meant to be and having faith that God will be there for you, he was "with you in the valley", etc, and he's "waiting just ahead" as you are "on to something new." And of course the whole time you should be shining his light.
"And you think you need it all now, but you needed me instead"
Don't focus on what you have now, trust that God has your future in his hands.
hey is there any way i can get your analysis you wrote about???
i think this song is about you faith in God. Kinda like God is talking to you through this song. "i was with you in the valley" "for i am with you still....you're not alone"
"shine on and let others see you got your victory." you got your victory meaning shine your light and show people that God lives in you because you have this great reward waiting for you in Heaven...eternal life.
"i will remember you. will you remember me" i think this means that he gives so much to you now are you going to give back to him in prayer and worship?
....thats just my take on things...
I love this song for the way it sounds, and for the way that the lyrics can be interpreted so clearly in two ways- religiously and relationship wise. Trust in God, and what kirotourmaline said, evaluating a relationship. It's a beautiful song.