Crying Out

Just an unbelievable song - why this wasn't released as a single I'll never know...

"Don't use a weakness, don't change the subject, don't ask the questions if you fear the answer"

• I think this is referring to someone who is basically confused and unsure of what he/she has gotten him/herself into. In this story, it is most likely to be either a bad or abusive relationship, drugs and/or alcohol abuse, self-mutilation or self-absorbtion into social norms which come with rewards, but ultimately destroy you as a person (e.g prostitution or risky celebrity fame). The story is told from the point of view of a friend, or a past lover (if the subject is about a woman).

"You look distorted, lets make you clearer, lets flip the switch and use the smoke and mirrors"

• Looking at this person, the narrator is saying that obviously he/she does not fit in with what he/she is doing and that he wants to help him/her get out of this conforming nature. The 'smoke' is a haze or blurred vision that this person is seeing (metaphorically) and the 'mirrors' are referring to "looking at oneself" and in this case, forgiving oneself for what they've done recently, because this person has nobody to blame but him/herself.

"Re-invent yourself today, re-invent your world today"

• This is the narrator saying that not all hope is lost, that this person's life is fixable, only that this person needs to do it by him/herself in order to make it right.

"Crying out for the last time, clear a space for the warning signs, crying out for the last time, and there's no turning back now that you've opened up to your mind"

• This, I think is a reflection within the person's mind. Basically saying that now that you have forgiven yourself, you are able to go in a direction where you feel right and you cannot go back to the place which ruined you originally. The 'crying out' is letting the emotion and thoughts go that this person experiences while in the self-destruction he/she is facing, and '...for the last time' means that it's time to stop being childish and start putting your life back together.

"What guides your vision, what holds the balance, don't think that I can't see you shake and tremble"

• I think this verse is very metaphorical, but this seems to be referring to this person's conscience to establish whether what he/she has been doing has been right or wrong. The guiding of the vision and holding of the balance are processes which this person's psychological ego goes through. The shaking and the trembling could be specific in the possible drugs/alcohol story; but more metaphorical however in the aspect of the previous lyric ('balance') - i.e this person's balance upon what he/she has been putting him/herself through has been unsteady and therefore proving that all he/she is proving while here is his/her insecurity and deeper unwillingness.

"Well I know your nervous, this world is scary, you have to let go all the madness you carry"

• This pretty much expands on the previous line, but more to the point that this person should prepare for the worst now that he/she is about to move on to a better life. But also, moreover that the 'madness' that is being carried is all in this person's mind and that in the long run, positive and welcoming opportunities await him/her.

"There is no turning back now, everything you've ever wanted, everything in this moment, there is no turning back now"

• More expansion on points previously explained, and more detail onto why this person unwillingly conformed in the first place. Obviously this person felt like he/she fitted in with what he/she was doing and it suited (whether it be fame, money, freedom from stress etc.) but ultimately it cost this person more than it profited, and now that he/she should not go back because in the end he/she will just experience the same thing again.

That's my take on the whole thing. I happen to believe that Shinedown have written a masterpiece here, and the meaning is conveyed exceptionally by the way Brent Smith sings the song.