Chalk FarM's 4 original mem… Read Full Bio ↴This critically acclaimed band is back!
Chalk FarM's 4 original members are back together, playing regularly in the Los Angeles area, and are recording a new collection of songs for release in 2011.
Chalk FarM was an alternative rock group from LA, formed in the early 90's by Michael Duff and Orlando Sims. In 1995, they added Toby Scarbrough and Trace Ritter and were signed by Columbia Records. In 1996 their first album, Notwithstanding, was released. Despite radio and MTV exposure for the song "Lie on Lie" and a positive critical reception, the band and label didn't see eye to eye and Chalk FarM left Columbia Records. Duff created the independent label TIC (The Inner Circle) Records and the group recorded their second album, Three 2's, promoting it mainly via the Internet. Chalk FarM broke up in early 2000.
I'm Awake
Chalk Farm Lyrics
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Seemingly selfishless sentiments hiding his war paint
How many nights have you laid awake fearing the next crusade
Did you sleep well last night
What will it take?
The clock on the wall it sees everything
And I worry 'bout it 'cause
It's just ticking away
And I wake
And I want to say
That I'm done with the sleeping
And all is fine
And I wake and
I'm standing here
If it's not a dream
Then I can't believe
That I'm awake
I see a place where the houses are all just exactly alike
All of the cars are one color and there's only one type
Each has the same dog and same cat and same fucking tank of fish
Dinner's the same time and all the same dish
The clock on the wall it sees everything
And I worry 'bout it 'cause
It's tick tick ticking opn
It's just ticking away
And I wake
And I want to say
That I'm done with the sleeping
And all is fine
And I wake and
I'm standing here
Waiting for the day
When we open our eyes
And I wake
And it seems to me
That's it's all or it's nothing
Are we so blind
And I say
Hey is it time to see
This is not a dream
And I can't believe that I'm awake
How many times have you taken advice from a man who hates?
Did you sleep well last night
What will it take?
And I wake
And I want to say
That I'm done with the sleeping
And all is fine
And I wake and
I'm standing here
Waiting for the day
That we open our eyes
And I wake
And it seems to me
That's it's all or it's nothing
Are we so blind
And I say
Hey is it time to see
And I can't believe
That we're standing here
With our hands on our eyes and ears hoping it goes away
This is not a dream
This is not a dream
This is not a dream
The lyrics of Chalk Farm's song "I'm Awake" delve into the theme of people blindly following hateful men and conforming to a mundane lifestyle. The song reveals the hypocrisy of seemingly selfless people who veil their true intentions behind benevolent words. The lyrics ask the listener to question the source of advice they receive and encourages them to be more aware of their surroundings. The repetition of the line "Did you sleep well last night?" connotes an underlying fear and the anxiety of the consequences of inaction.
The clock imagery that appears multiple times in the lyrics symbolizes the passage of time and the urgency to take action before it's too late. The clock "sees everything" and "tick tick ticks," creating a sense of urgency and anxiety. The line, "If it's not a dream, then I can't believe that I'm awake" calls out the dull and monotonous lifestyle that people have resigned themselves to living. The singer expresses their disbelief that they are actually conscious and not dreaming of a better life.
Overall, the song advises the listener to be more aware of their surroundings and not to blindly follow others' advice. It encourages people to step out of their comfort zone and take action to achieve their dreams and lead a fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have you taken advice from a man who hates?
How often have you listened to someone's guidance even though that person harbors anger and hostility?
Seemingly selfishless sentiments hiding his war paint
The person who is offering advice may seem to be selfless with good intentions, but actually harbors negative motives.
How many nights have you laid awake fearing the next crusade
Have you stayed up at night worrying about the next conflict or struggle?
Did you sleep well last night
Did you have a peaceful night's sleep?
What will it take?
What is necessary in order to create change or progress?
The clock on the wall it sees everything
The clock on the wall is able to witness everything that happens in the room.
And I worry 'bout it 'cause
And I'm worried about it because
It's tick tick ticking opn
The clock continues to tick, indicating the passage of time.
It's just ticking away
The clock goes on ticking without any interruptions.
And I wake
And I am awake and conscious.
And I want to say
I wish to express or share what is on my mind.
That I'm done with the sleeping
I am tired of being in a state of slumber or unawareness.
And all is fine
And everything is going smoothly or as expected.
And I wake and
And I am conscious and aware.
I'm standing here
I am present and aware of my surroundings.
If it's not a dream
If what I am experiencing is not a figment of my imagination.
Then I can't believe
That I'm awake
I am struggling to believe or accept that I am no longer asleep and am, in fact, awake.
I see a place where the houses are all just exactly alike
I observe a location where every house looks identical and has the same features.
All of the cars are one color and there's only one type
All of the vehicles are a single shade and model, with no variety.
Each has the same dog and same cat and same fucking tank of fish
Every household has identical pets -- one dog, one cat, and one tank of fish.
Dinner's the same time and all the same dish
Everyone eats at the same exact time and consumes the same meal.
Waiting for the day
When we open our eyes
Looking forward to a time when people become more aware and enlightened.
And it seems to me
That's it's all or it's nothing
It appears to me that the situation is either completely positive or completely negative, with no in-between.
Are we so blind
Are we completely unaware or unable to perceive the truth?
And I say
Hey is it time to see
I suggest that it may be time to become more aware and open-minded.
This is not a dream
This is not a figment of my imagination, but is a reality that can't be ignored.
With our hands on our eyes and ears hoping it goes away
People may be covering their eyes and ears, hoping that an unpleasant situation or reality will disappear on its own.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL DUFF, ORLANDO SIMS, TOBY SCARBROUGH, TRACE RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind