Known for their instrumental hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the band's strength lies in their consistently accomplished songwriting, stretching across several gold-selling albums and multi-Grammy nominations for Atlantic Records. Despite their Scottish roots, the six-piece band developed their own "authentic" sound influenced by R&B heroes such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Donny Hathaway, which was eagerly adopted by black audiences in the US and elsewhere.
Many of the band's cuts, such as "Cut The Cake" and "Let's Go 'Round Again," attracted chart action as hit singles, while album tracks like "Schoolboy Crush" and "Person to Person" became much-sampled "rare" grooves. Other tunes like "Cloudy," "A Love Of Your Own," and "Nothing You Can Do" stand alongside some of the finest soul album tracks ever recorded.
The current lineup of the band, with noted US musicians alongside founding members Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre, continues to delight audiences and critics alike in its wide-ranging touring. The musical energy and trademark sound are remarkably true to the original, and with constant revisitation and re-workings of AWB's, and others' classics in the mix, it is no surprise that the Average White Band is now a multi-generational attraction and a perennial fixture with many of the top music venues.
Window to Your Soul
Average White Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonder
What it's like to be on the
Other side
Looking in on all the things
You try to hide
You don't ever sell yourself
Short, that ain't fair
Granted
Don't ever sell yourself
Short, that ain't fair
I can turn around the mirror
In your heart
You'll come to know the
One who really cares
Tryin' to open a window to
Your soul
Getting closer but you
Won't let go
There's so much more you
Have to offer me
It's like a stream that's
Running deep under the
Ground
If digging deeper helps me
Bring it to the light
You'll be glad I was around
Tryin' to open a window to
Your soul
Getting closer but you
Won't let go
Tryin' to open a window to
Your soul
Don't try to fight it baby,
Don't say no
Don't say no baby use
Denying I hold the key
Just let go, baby, no use in
Crying when you can lean
On me....
They say love can last
Forever
That means we take the
Bad, not only the good
Even if sometimes you
Have a frightened heart
At least you know you'll be
Understood
Tryin' to open a window to
Your soul...etc.
In "Window to Your Soul," the Average White Band is speaking directly to someone they care about, imploring them to let down their guard and be vulnerable with them. The song opens with a contemplative verse, asking the listener to imagine what it must be like to have someone on the outside looking in on their hidden secrets and insecurities. The chorus then suggests that the singer is "tryin' to open a window to your soul," but despite their efforts, the person in question won't let them get too close. The second verse tells this person that they have so much to offer and something running deep beneath the surface. The singer then urges them to stop denying their emotions and instead lean on them for support.
The theme of "Window to Your Soul" is one that many people can identify with. Everyone has parts of themselves that they prefer to keep hidden from others, but allowing someone to see the real you can be daunting. The Average White Band is offering their support and encouragement to the person they care about, highlighting that true love means accepting all parts of someone, even the darker sides. The musical arrangement reinforces this message, with a mellow, laid-back vibe that suggests the singer is taking it slow and steady in their pursuit of opening up the person they care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever stop to Wonder
Have you ever taken a moment to contemplate
What it's like to be on the Other side
How it feels to be in a different perspective
Looking in on all the things You try to hide
Observing the things you keep hidden from others
You don't ever sell yourself Short, that ain't fair
Don't underestimate yourself or undervalue your worth
Whatever else you take for Granted
Anything else you may overlook or not appreciate
Don't ever sell yourself Short, that ain't fair
You are worth more than you may think
I can turn around the mirror In your heart
I can help you understand yourself better
You'll come to know the One who really cares
You will discover those who truly care for you
Tryin' to open a window to Your soul
Attempting to understand your innermost feelings and thoughts
Getting closer but you Won't let go
You are hesitant to open up
There's so much more you Have to offer me
There is more to you than you may reveal
It's like a stream that's Running deep under the Ground
Your hidden depths are like an underground stream
If digging deeper helps me Bring it to the light
If I can uncover more of your true self by exploring deeper
You'll be glad I was around
You will appreciate the support and guidance provided
Don't try to fight it baby, Don't say no
Don't resist the process of self-discovery and opening up
Don't say no baby use Denying I hold the key
Don't deny that I can help you unlock your true self
Just let go, baby, no use in Crying when you can lean On me....
It will be easier for you to release your emotions and seek support
They say love can last Forever
Love can endure despite challenges
That means we take the Bad, not only the good
We must accept the negative aspects of love as well
Even if sometimes you Have a frightened heart
Even when you are afraid or anxious
At least you know you'll be Understood
You can find solace and understanding in those you love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED EBB, JOHN KANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind