Still Dreaming
311 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

No I'll not renounce my views do what others do
I'd rather drink the hemlock than be like you, to my soul untrue
It never gets easier so quit tryin' pleasing her
Everything is a choice so let me hear your voice

Born in October night
Feeling was out a sight
Skin I'm in now and then
Moves like a meteorite

Noise in our culture
Is built in our nature
Another era will decode
As we head toward rapture

Suppose we're all gifted
Suppose that the mist is
A metaphor for change
Suppose the veil will be lifted

Sacrament that I hold
Close and I feel noble
Solar marigolds light the souls
Return from that other world

Sometimes when I'm awake
I can't tell if I'm still dreaming
There's so much here at stake
When every moment is just fleeting
Sometimes when I'm awake
I can't if I'm still dreaming

It never gets easier so quit tryin' pleasing her
Everything is a choice so let me hear your voice
Rip up the evening post
Kill parasitic hosts
We can shoulder all the karma
That came with Los Alamos

Return the sky bottle blue
Return that forgotten hue
A looking glass world
Seeing into and through you

Soul and body are my twins
The latter will give in
When the former views the ocean
As not too cold to get in

To martian life forms
These waters are real warm
But beware we can change the weather
And create a snowstorm

Sometimes when I'm awake
I can't tell if I'm still dreaming
There's so much here at stake
When every moment is just fleeting
Sometimes when I'm awake
I can't tell if I'm still dreaming

No I'll not renounce my views do what others do
I'd rather drink the hemlock than be like you, to my soul untrue




It never gets easier so quit tryin' pleasing her
Everything is a choice so let me hear your voice

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 311's song "Still Dreaming" have a deep and introspective meaning. The first verse of the song is a proclamation by the lead singer to hold on to his individuality and beliefs. He is not willing to conform to the societal norms and standards of the people around him. He'd rather embrace the difficult path and sacrifice himself than pretend to be someone he is not. Being true to oneself is always challenging, but it's worth it.


The second verse compares the human race to a meteorite that is always moving, always evolving. The noise in our culture is instinctual, and every era will bring its interpretation. We need to accept that our world is always in flux, and the path we're on leads us to the unknown. The metaphor of the mist symbolizes change and the veil that will eventually be lifted. We're all gifted with something; it's just a matter of recognizing it. The sacrament that the lead singer holds tight to in his heart is his nobleness of spirit. Solar marigolds light the souls and are a reminder of the return to the other world.


The chorus is about having the awareness that we are in a dream-like world. The moments we experience are fleeting, and life can be unpredictable. We need to embrace every moment as if it's our last because we never know when it will end.


The bridge speaks about holding on to our beliefs and the consequence of ignoring them. The Martians may see our world as warm and welcoming, not knowing that we have the power to change it. However, we can also make things right by taking responsibility for the past and creating positive change.


Overall, "Still Dreaming" is about being true to oneself and having the courage to hold on to individuality. The song calls for introspection and self-reflection, reminding us that life is fleeting, and we need to embrace every moment with open arms.


Line by Line Meaning

No I'll not renounce my views do what others do
I refuse to conform to society's norms and beliefs.


I'd rather drink the hemlock than be like you, to my soul untrue
I would rather go against the popular opinions even if it means facing dire consequences.


It never gets easier so quit tryin' pleasing her
It becomes more difficult to keep up an act in order to impress someone.


Everything is a choice so let me hear your voice
Everything in life is a decision made by oneself; speak up and state your own perspectives and opinions.


Born in October night
The artist was born during a particular time of year.


Feeling was out a sight
The intensity of the emotions was overwhelming.


Skin I'm in now and then
The singer is referring to their physical body, which changes constantly.


Moves like a meteorite
The actions of the artist are quick and unpredictable like a meteorite's trajectory.


Noise in our culture
There is a constant buzz of activity and chatter in modern society.


Is built in our nature
Humans have become accustomed to the constant stimulation and sensory overload of modern life.


Another era will decode
Future generations will interpret and understand the culture and history of the present era in their own way.


As we head toward rapture
As society progresses forward, there may be an impending sense of an ultimate climax or endpoint.


Suppose we're all gifted
The singer is imagining a world where everyone possesses unique talents and abilities.


Suppose that the mist is
The fog the singer is describing is actually a symbol for change and transformation.


A metaphor for change
The mist serves as a comparison to the process of growth and alteration.


Suppose the veil will be lifted
The artist is wondering if there will be a moment when all becomes clear and understandable.


Sacrament that I hold
The artist is referring to something sacred and important that they possess.


Close and I feel noble
The singer feels a sense of pride and goodness when they keep this sacred object close.


Solar marigolds light the souls
The singer is describing a possible method of illumination for the spirit or essence.


Return from that other world
The artist has returned from a different reality or state of mind.


Sometimes when I'm awake
The artist experiences moments of confusion between reality and a dreamlike state of mind.


I can't tell if I'm still dreaming
The artist is unsure if something they are experiencing is actually happening or a product of their imagination.


There's so much here at stake
There is a lot of importance placed on the current situation or decision being made.


When every moment is just fleeting
Each experience in life is brief and temporary.


Rip up the evening post
The singer advocates for the rejection of mass media and its potentially harmful messages.


Kill parasitic hosts
Get rid of anything draining or harmful, like a metaphorical parasite.


We can shoulder all the karma
Humans can take responsibility for their actions and the inevitable consequences that come with them.


That came with Los Alamos
The artist is possibly referencing the events surrounding the development of the atomic bomb during WWII.


Return the sky bottle blue
The artist wants to restore the natural beauty of the sky.


Return that forgotten hue
Bring back the vibrancy and color that has been lost or forgotten.


A looking glass world
The singer is describing a version of reality that is distorted and unclear, like viewing life through a looking glass or mirror.


Seeing into and through you
The artist has a keen sense of perception and can see beyond what is on the surface.


Soul and body are my twins
The artist views their soul and physical body as being intertwined and connected.


The latter will give in
Eventually, the body will succumb to the natural process of aging and death.


When the former views the ocean
When the soul is at peace or comes to a sense of understanding or enlightenment.


As not too cold to get in
When the soul feels accepting and open to new experiences or challenges.


To martian life forms
The singer is imagining a scenario where extraterrestrial organisms are observing Earth.


These waters are real warm
The Earth's oceans, which may seem cold and unwelcoming to humans, are actually comfortable to an alien species.


But beware we can change the weather
Humans possess the ability to disrupt the delicate balance of the planet's ecosystem and cause the climate to shift and change.


And create a snowstorm
As a result of human actions, the planet may experience more extreme weather conditions, such as a heavy blizzard.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD SEXTON, DOUGLAS MARTINEZ, NICHOLAS HEXUM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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