E=MC2
Ayreon Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It all came to me in the wake of a dream
Bending space and reversing the stream
The knowledge is mine to influence time
And avert our decline

We could use this to salvage mankind
Send projections into the past
As humanity fades in their minds
Let them know man won't last

It all came to me in the wake of a dream

This may be our last chance if we want man to survive
A mirror reflection
Show them our world as it dies
Cut through the barrier and do what no one has dared
Let's break the equation
E=MC2

Our first try was a minor success
No control, I can but guess
We have to move now, don't know just how
No mistakes are allowed
We can make no mistakes

I have sent it but nothing changes
Just a line in some nation lore
I don't know just how far it reaches
Everything's like before





It all came to me in the wake of a dream

Overall Meaning

In Ayreon's "E=mc 2", the singer explains how they have had a revelation in the form of a dream, where they have discovered the knowledge to influence time and prevent the decline of mankind. They suggest using this newfound knowledge to send projections into the past in order to let people know that man will not last, and to show them the world as it dies. They are aware of the risks and have made a first attempt with minor success but no control, and now time is of the essence with no room for mistakes.


The lyrics are a plea to use science and knowledge to avert a catastrophic future, acknowledging that humanity is fading in the minds of the people and that this may be our last chance to salvage ourselves. The singer is willing to take risks to prevent the decline of humanity and is frustrated that their first attempt has not made a significant impact. The song ultimately poses the question of whether we have the power to break the equation of E=mc 2 and change the course of our future.


Line by Line Meaning

It all came to me in the wake of a dream
A great revelation occurred in a dream


Bending space and reversing the stream
Manipulating dimensions


The knowledge is mine to influence time
Possessing the ability to control time


And avert our decline
Saving mankind from possible doom


We could use this to salvage mankind
A chance for humanity to survive


Send projections into the past
Sending information back in time


As humanity fades in their minds
As people forget what humanity once was


Let them know man won't last
Informing them that humanity won't survive forever


This may be our last chance if we want man to survive
Humanity's survival hinges on this opportunity


A mirror reflection
An accurate portrayal of the world


Show them our world as it dies
Revealing the end of the world to others


Cut through the barrier and do what no one has dared
Overcoming limitations and taking risks


Let's break the equation
Disrupting the formula itself


E=MC2
The equation that governs energy and matter


Our first try was a minor success
An initial attempt was somewhat fruitful


No control, I can but guess
Lacking full control over the situation


We have to move now, don't know just how
Taking action without a clear plan


No mistakes are allowed
Not allowing for any errors or missteps


I have sent it but nothing changes
Having made an attempt but seeing no impact


Just a line in some nation lore
Reduced to merely an anecdote


I don't know just how far it reaches
Not knowing the ripple effect of their actions


Everything's like before
Returning to an unchanged state




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, LONNIE RASHID LYNN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@tatiameltauri1539

"It all came to me in the wake of a dream
Bending space, reversing the stream
The knowledge is mine to influence time
And avert our decline (we'll avert our decline)


We could use this to salvage mankind
Send projections into the past (telepathy time)
Etch humanity's fate in their minds
Let them know man won't last (It all came to me in the wake of a dream)


This may be our last chance
If we want man to survive
A mirror reflection
Show them our world as it dies
Cut through the barrier
And do what no one has dared
Let's break the equation... E=mc²
2x


Our first try was a minor success
No control, I can but guess
We have to move now; don't know just how
No mistakes are allowed
(We can make no mistakes)


I have sent it but nothing changes
Just a line in some ancient lore
(Medieval times)
I don't know just how far it ranges
Everything's like before
(It all came to me in the wake of a dream)

This may be our last chance
If we want man to survive
A mirror reflection
Show them our world as it dies
Cut through the barrier
And do what no one has dared
Let's break the equation... E=mc²"
2x



@ioio5050

Lyrics in italiano:

L'ispirazione mi venne al risveglio da un sogno
piegando lo spazio, invertendo la corrente
ho la conoscenza per influenzare il tempo
ed evitare il nostro declino.

Potremmo usare tutto questo
per salvare il genere umano
mandando una proiezione nel passato
mentre l'umanità svanisce nelle loro menti
fargli sapere che l'uomo non durerà

L'ispirazione mi venne al risveglio da un sogno

Potrebbe essere l'ultima possibilità
di far sopravvivere la razza umana
il riflesso di uno specchio
rallenterà il nostro mondo mentre muore
superando le barriere
faremo quello che nessuno ha mai usato
infrangiamo la legge
E = mc2

Il nostro primo tentativo fu un piccolo successo
nessuno controllo, ma immagino
che ora sia tempo di muoversi, solo non so come
non sono ammesi errori
non possiamo sbagliare

Ho inviato la visione ma niente è cambiato
solo una linea nelle notizie di qualche nazione
non so quanto lontano sia andata
tutto è come prima

L'ispirazione mi venne al risveglio da un sogno

Potrebbe essere l'ultima possibilità
di far sopravvivere la razza umana
il riflesso di uno specchio
rallenterà il nostro mondo mentre muore
superando le barriere faremo
quello che nessuno ha mai usato
infrangiamo la legge
E = mc2

(L'esito dell'Esperimento Finale
è stato affidato alle tue mani.)



All comments from YouTube:

@bambooflute2589

This is my favorite one from the album. What a song!

@CD_DC1

Remember first time listening to this great song in 2008. Still got the magic!

@mitchellrice7592

The lead up and solo at around 4 minutes may be the greatest of all time. Fits the mood so well.

@MegaAzornumbers09

i still remember when i was such a little kid and got introduced to the wonderful Ayreon from a portal 2 music video
best thing that ever happened to me

@tatiameltauri1539

"It all came to me in the wake of a dream
Bending space, reversing the stream
The knowledge is mine to influence time
And avert our decline (we'll avert our decline)


We could use this to salvage mankind
Send projections into the past (telepathy time)
Etch humanity's fate in their minds
Let them know man won't last (It all came to me in the wake of a dream)


This may be our last chance
If we want man to survive
A mirror reflection
Show them our world as it dies
Cut through the barrier
And do what no one has dared
Let's break the equation... E=mc²
2x


Our first try was a minor success
No control, I can but guess
We have to move now; don't know just how
No mistakes are allowed
(We can make no mistakes)


I have sent it but nothing changes
Just a line in some ancient lore
(Medieval times)
I don't know just how far it ranges
Everything's like before
(It all came to me in the wake of a dream)

This may be our last chance
If we want man to survive
A mirror reflection
Show them our world as it dies
Cut through the barrier
And do what no one has dared
Let's break the equation... E=mc²"
2x

@valoriel4464

Wow! Thx for your cmt. Reading along as they play. Yay. Excellent job.

@tjitse3916

If only this thing (the album) had a re-release on vinyl. The only folks selling are online and secondhand for up to €180,-.
I have a soft spot for this album, and it meant a lot to me throughout my painful years, right now it is on a very small list of albums I WOULD LOVE on vinyl.......this one and 10,000 by TOOL (which i love for the same reason).

@sucersdungeon

Michael Romeo is unreal.... my fav guitarrist of all time!

@RicardoA...

Killer solo by Michael Romeo.

@raramstad

literally the reason I'm here

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