Before forming Collective Soul, Ed Roland had studied music composition and guitar playing at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Since the mid 1980's, Roland had been involved in underground music; either making unpublished demos or performing. He also worked at Real 2 Reel Studios in Stockbridge during the 1980's and early 1990's, which was owned by Will Turpin's father. Roland's main duties were producing, mixing and engineering work for local Atlanta artists. He also recorded his own demos and released his independent solo album Ed-E Roland in 1991. He had a pre-Collective Soul band in the late 1980's and early 1990's called Marching Two-Step which included Shane Evans, Michele Rhea Caplinger, and Matt Serletic.
Caplinger would go on to be a music industry publicist and she was appointed executive director of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy in 2000. Serletic would go on to produce albums for Collective Soul, Matchbox Twenty, Blessid Union of Souls, and Edwin McCain.
Prior to Marching Two-Step, in the early to mid 1980's, Ed had recruited keyboard player and backing vocalist Christopher Dykes, drummer Tony Caporale, and bassist Skip Godwin to play live in clubs and showcase for A/R personnel from various record companies. At this time the group was simply known as "Ed-E". During this time the band played several shows, played a part in a CBS "Movie Of The Week", and were guests on the local Atlanta television program "Music Peachtree Style", where local Atlanta based artists were interviewed and profiled. That initial version of the "Ed-E" band dissolved in the mid to late 1980's due to musical tastes among other differences.
Marching Two-Step were a band for several years, but never managed to grow beyond the local club scene. Roland's early attempts to be signed to a recording contract by a label ended in rejection. In 1992, he enlisted musicians to record a demo in a basement. Roland intended only to sell the songs to a publishing company and had no plans of forming a band out of it. The demo was passed along to an Atlanta college radio station which began playing "Shine", which became its most requested song. Amidst the surprise popularity, Roland agreed to perform live shows; enlisting his brother Dean as well as Shane Evans, Will Turpin, and Ross Childress in what would be the first line-up of Collective Soul. Atlantic Records took note of the popularity of the song and subsequently signed them.
Upon Collective Soul's signing, Atlantic wished to capitalize on the band's success and quickly re-released the 1993 demo Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid as their first studio album. Although reluctant to have the unpolished demo represent their new line-up, Collective Soul gained international recognition and double-platinum status with their debut. The band quickly began work on what they would consider their true debut record and were invited to perform at Woodstock 1994. They also toured extensively across North America.
The group's self-titled second album issued following year, was certified RIAA triple platinum, and logged a 76 week run on the Billboard 200. Notable singles from Collective Soul included US Rock Chart #1 hits "December", "Where The River Flows", and "The World I Know", #2 hit "Gel", and the Top 10 hit "Smashing Young Man".
Following a split with their manager, Collective Soul found their tour dates canceled and were called into the courtroom to face a legal battle that lasted into 1996. While the legal battles continued, the band went to a cabin, in the middle of 40 acres (160,000 m2) of cow pasture in Stockbridge, and began recording. They recorded into a computer their impromptu efforts of songs Roland penned, and these became Disciplined Breakdown. The legal case was eventually settled, and both parties were instructed not to discuss the outcome.
Disciplined Breakdown, released in 1997, did not sell as well as the band's previous records despite debuting higher on the charts. This album eventually became a platinum album, and produced two more #1 singles: "Disciplined Breakdown" and "Listen". The album peaked at #16 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
The band's fourth album was 1999’s platinum certified Dosage. The first single "Heavy" set a new high mark for 15 weeks at #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Singles such as "Run", "Needs", and "Tremble For My Beloved" also gained notable positions on the rock charts. The album was produced by Anthony J. Resta, who is known for his work with Duran Duran among others. The band also performed at Woodstock 1999, where they performed "Heavy", a cover of Ozzy Osbourne's song "Crazy Train", and a cover of U2's song "I Will Flow".
The group released their fifth studio album, Blender, in 2000. It did not fare as well as their other albums, although the first single "Why, Pt. 2" reached #2 on the mainstream rock chart. They also had additional radio hits with "Vent"and "Perfect Day"; the latter being a duet between Roland and Elton John. Eventually, the album was RIAA certified gold. Rolling Stone gave Blender a positive review. This was their second effort with Anthony J. Resta. The song "You Speak My Language" was a cover of a song written by the late Mark Sandman of the band Morphine. The song was originally on Morphine's 1992 album Good.
In 2001, Collective Soul released their greatest hits compilation, 7even Year Itch: Greatest Hits 1994–2001, which featured the new tracks "Next Homecoming" and "Energy". The record also marked the end of the group's contract with Atlantic Records.
Following the band's departure from Atlantic Records, Childress left the band. The band promoted their longtime guitar technician, Joel Kosche, to be the new lead guitarist. The band later created their independent label, El Music Group.
In November 2004, they released their sixth studio album, Youth, which debuted at #66 on the Billboard 200. "Counting the Days" became a Top 10 rock hit. The second single, "Better Now", received airplay on Adult Top 40 radio and was used in commercials for the cereal Special K. "How Do You Love" became a Top 20 hit on Adult Top 40 radio. During the recording of this album, Shane Evans left the band, with session musician Ryan Hoyle named as his replacement. Hoyle recorded 8 of the 11 drum/percussion tracks on this album. The resultant US tour lasted nearly two years, including shows in Canada.
Collective Soul performed two shows with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in April 2005. A CD and DVD of the performances, entitled Home: A Live Concert Recording With The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra was released in February 2006.
In May 2005, they released an eight song acoustic EP compilation titled From the Ground Up, which had acoustic versions of past favorites and a new track titled "Youth". They also appeared on the WB show Charmed; playing "Better Now" at the beginning of the episode "Scry Hard".
Collective Soul's seventh studio album, Afterwords was released on August 28, 2007. The album is co-produced by Anthony J. Resta, who also contributed synthesizers, percussion and lead guitar on the song "Bearing Witness". The band made a deal with Target stores; making it the "exclusive physical retailer" of Afterwords for one year. The album was immediately available in digital form on iTunes. The song "Hollywood" was released as the first single in May. "Hollywood" also became the theme for the hit TV show American Idol. The second single from the album, "All That I Know", was released in November.
Afterwords debuted at #25 on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums chart (as albums available only from a single retailer were ineligible for the Billboard 200 at the time) and #5 on the Billboard Top Internet Albums chart. The band made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 31 where they performed "Hollywood". They were also the musical guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on March 4, 2008.
Collective Soul released their eighth studio album, another self-titled, but designated by the band as Rabbit. It was released on August 25, 2009 by Roadrunner Records; a subsidiary of their previous label Atlantic Records. The first single was "Staring Down" and the second single was "Welcome All Again". "Staring Down" peaked at #17 on the Mediabase Hot AC chart and also charted on Billboard's Adult Top 40. The album debuted at #24 on the Billboard 200.
In September 2009, Collective Soul were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In their induction speech, Roland thanked a long list of former members and collaborators who were involved in the band over the past two decades, including Childress, Hoyle, and Brannon. He also invited Shane Evans to the stage to celebrate with the band.
On December 7, 2010, the band released a re-recorded version of "Tremble For My Beloved" as both a single and a video on iTunes. The video was also included on the DVD Music Videos and Performances from The Twilight Saga Soundtracks, Vol. 1.
On October 2, 2015, they released the album See What You Started by Continuing which peaked at 25 in the United States.
On June 21, 2019, they released the album Blood.
On August 12, 2022, they released the album Vibrating.
Beautiful World
Collective Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hope is whispering to me quietly, quietly
Some confusion
Seems to reign continuously over me, over me
Though I walk through the valley
No more shadows will cover me
Yeah, yeah
Now you've opened my eyes
And it's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
Where all Heaven's light is shone
It's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
When I just let love take control
In the evening
Faith is watching over me
I believe, you better believe
As I'm lying
In arms of security I can see, yeah I see
All the ways you have given
In my hour of blinding need
Yeah, yeah
Now you've opened my eyes
And it's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
Where all Heaven's light is shone
It's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
When I just let love take control
The only way to hope is through tears
The only way to faith is through fear
The only way to love is when you kneel
Yeah, yeah
Now you've opened my eyes
And it's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
Where all Heaven's light is shone
It's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
When I just let love take control
The lyrics of Collective Soul’s “Beautiful World” speak to the power of hope, faith, and love in the midst of confusion and fear. In the morning, hope softly whispers to the singer, offering a ray of light in the midst of the darkness. But confusion seems to continuously reign over him, until he walks through the valley and emerges into a brighter future where no more shadows will cover him. The song speaks to the transformative power of love - when the singer has someone to hold and when he lets love take control, the world becomes beautiful.
But the beauty of the world isn’t just about the romantic love the singer feels. In the evening, faith is watching over him, helping him believe in a brighter future. He lies in arms of security, perhaps feeling a sense of safety and comfort he hadn’t known before. He sees all the ways love has been given to him, even in his hour of blinding need. The chorus repeats the idea that the world is beautiful when he has someone to hold but adds the idea that it’s a beautiful world when all heaven’s light is shone - suggesting that the beauty of the world is even bigger than the individual love he feels.
The bridge of the song adds a layer of complexity, acknowledging that hope, faith, and love are often hard-earned. The only way to hope is through tears, faith is through fear, and love is when you kneel. Through these struggles, the singer has opened his eyes to the beauty of the world.
Overall, Collective Soul’s “Beautiful World” is a hopeful and inspiring song, reminding listeners that the world can be beautiful even in the midst of confusion, pain, and fear.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning
At the start of a new day
Hope is whispering to me quietly, quietly
A gentle and soft sense of optimism surrounds me
Some confusion
A lack of clarity and understanding
Seems to reign continuously over me, over me
I feel like I can't escape this state of confusion
Though I walk through the valley
Even when I face difficult or challenging times
No more shadows will cover me
I am no longer enveloped in darkness or sadness
Yeah, yeah
Emphasizing a feeling of affirmation
Now you've opened my eyes
Someone or something has helped me see the world in a different way
And it's a beautiful world
The world can be full of wonder and joy
When I've got you here to hold
Life is made better by the presence of someone special
Where all Heaven's light is shone
I am surrounded by a sense of warmth, comfort, and security
When I just let love take control
When I allow myself to be vulnerable and give into love, everything else fades away
In the evening
At the end of a long day
Faith is watching over me
I have unwavering trust and belief in something greater than myself
I believe, you better believe
I have conviction in my beliefs, and I want others to feel the same way
As I'm lying
As I rest and step away from the chaos of life
In arms of security I can see, yeah I see
I feel safe and protected, and I'm able to see things more clearly
All the ways you have given
I acknowledge the support and love that someone has given me
In my hour of blinding need
During my darkest moments and greatest times of struggle
The only way to hope is through tears
Sometimes the only path to hope involves experiencing sadness and pain
The only way to faith is through fear
Developing unshakable faith often requires confronting and overcoming personal fears
The only way to love is when you kneel
To truly appreciate love, one must be able to humble themselves and show vulnerability
When I've got you here to hold
Having someone special by my side makes life seem more fulfilling
When I just let love take control
When love is allowed to guide decision-making and actions, life is simpler and more rewarding
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GERALD V. CASALE, MARK MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josué Vieira
In the morning
Hope is whispering to me quietly
Some confusion
Seems to reign continuously over me
Though I walk through the valley
No more shadows will cover me
Now you've opened my eyes
CHORUS
It's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
Where all Heaven's light is shone
It's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
When I just let love take control
In the evening
Faith is watching over me, I believe
As I'm lying
In arms of security I can see
All (w'all lol) the ways you have given
In my hour of blinding need
Now you've opened my eyes
(CHORUS)
The only way to hope is through tears
The only way to faith is through fear
The only way to love is when you kneel
Now you've opened my eyes
(CHORUS)
Dale Zinn
I love this band so much, the music is so awesome, The combination of a wonderful singer with many talented musicians is fantastic. I hope to see Collective Soul in Sacramento again soon.
Josué Vieira
In the morning
Hope is whispering to me quietly
Some confusion
Seems to reign continuously over me
Though I walk through the valley
No more shadows will cover me
Now you've opened my eyes
CHORUS
It's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
Where all Heaven's light is shone
It's a beautiful world
When I've got you here to hold
It's a beautiful world
When I just let love take control
In the evening
Faith is watching over me, I believe
As I'm lying
In arms of security I can see
All (w'all lol) the ways you have given
In my hour of blinding need
Now you've opened my eyes
(CHORUS)
The only way to hope is through tears
The only way to faith is through fear
The only way to love is when you kneel
Now you've opened my eyes
(CHORUS)
Israel Marcus
Linda música.
nirvana chalo
grande collective pude verlos en vivo y directo en el caracas pop festival del 2000 en venezuela que buena banda y muy buena musica cool 👍
gabrcq
I really couldn't thank you more for uploading this video. My brothers and I used to have the Atlantic Records version for Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, so I heard this song only once and it was like 15 years ago and never heard it again. Thanks!!
Jenny Cook
i so want this song playing at my wedding
Mike Cass
a HIDDEN GEM..LUV IT,BEAUTIFUL SONG ..WELL WRITEN
CaptainChips
It's still a damn good song, genius.
JustChillinMary
Love and Hugs to Ed, Dean, Will, Cheney, & Joel...you ROCK!!!!!!
colsoulfan
I'm pretty sure this is the only cs song I have not listened to all the way through at least 100 times. Just realized it existed