I have to first say that I always forgot how incredible this song is...I think this really is the most underrated song on one of their most underrated albums. Still, there are a couple sections of this song that have interested me since I listened to this the first time. The two parts where the pace picks up and the music becomes brash and pompous...
"There were Kings who were laughing in the rain
And they told me I'd come here to lead the parade
All the colours were changing, The sky was in ruins
The lights are all shining on me and on you
Oh, Shine on........"
I'd always thought this section, the first introduction of the part in the song, was almost psychedelic in its imagery and the juxtaposition of tone. The slower parts of the song are obvious intimate moments of vulnerability–a troubled man alone in a bar well after everyone else is gone, confiding in the piano player. But this "kings" section is like a hallucination–perhaps it's a brief flash of hope for him, his mind and dreams getting away from him. But to me it really sounds as if it's a reference to drug abuse to get away from problems–preceded by the lines "I'm looking for some other world / to dream out my dreams," and then by imagery like swirling color and "the sky was in ruins."
The next part like this...
"If there's a fire it's asleep in my bed
I must leave it to burn till it burns itself out
Catch as you can I'm not staying here long
I'll be coming back early or never at all
Shine on........"
I think the "fire" that's "asleep in [his] bed" is indicative the troubles he has at home. The next line communicates his understanding that he has to let things even out on their own, so, as he then says, he's not staying long–he's leaving his troubles behind. "I'll be coming back early or never at all"–he's either got to go face his troubles right now, or just leave them forever and start again.
The first time I listened to this I had no idea it was such a deep and complex song, but now it always sends shivers through me. It's become one of my favorite Genesis songs.
Agreed this song is a amazing... I like your thoughts but I always thought the "I'll be coming back early or never at all... Shine on!" implied he'll be back at the pub early doors to carry on numbing out the pain, or else he'll have either quit or be dead.
Agreed this song is a amazing... I like your thoughts but I always thought the "I'll be coming back early or never at all... Shine on!" implied he'll be back at the pub early doors to carry on numbing out the pain, or else he'll have either quit or be dead.
I have to first say that I always forgot how incredible this song is...I think this really is the most underrated song on one of their most underrated albums. Still, there are a couple sections of this song that have interested me since I listened to this the first time. The two parts where the pace picks up and the music becomes brash and pompous...
"There were Kings who were laughing in the rain And they told me I'd come here to lead the parade All the colours were changing, The sky was in ruins The lights are all shining on me and on you Oh, Shine on........"
I'd always thought this section, the first introduction of the part in the song, was almost psychedelic in its imagery and the juxtaposition of tone. The slower parts of the song are obvious intimate moments of vulnerability–a troubled man alone in a bar well after everyone else is gone, confiding in the piano player. But this "kings" section is like a hallucination–perhaps it's a brief flash of hope for him, his mind and dreams getting away from him. But to me it really sounds as if it's a reference to drug abuse to get away from problems–preceded by the lines "I'm looking for some other world / to dream out my dreams," and then by imagery like swirling color and "the sky was in ruins."
The next part like this...
"If there's a fire it's asleep in my bed I must leave it to burn till it burns itself out Catch as you can I'm not staying here long I'll be coming back early or never at all Shine on........"
I think the "fire" that's "asleep in [his] bed" is indicative the troubles he has at home. The next line communicates his understanding that he has to let things even out on their own, so, as he then says, he's not staying long–he's leaving his troubles behind. "I'll be coming back early or never at all"–he's either got to go face his troubles right now, or just leave them forever and start again.
The first time I listened to this I had no idea it was such a deep and complex song, but now it always sends shivers through me. It's become one of my favorite Genesis songs.
Agreed this song is a amazing... I like your thoughts but I always thought the "I'll be coming back early or never at all... Shine on!" implied he'll be back at the pub early doors to carry on numbing out the pain, or else he'll have either quit or be dead.
Agreed this song is a amazing... I like your thoughts but I always thought the "I'll be coming back early or never at all... Shine on!" implied he'll be back at the pub early doors to carry on numbing out the pain, or else he'll have either quit or be dead.