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 Since the mid 1980's, Roland had been involved in underground music; either making unpublished demos or performing.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.
Listen
Collective Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking in the desert all alone
Hey you're now searching
Lost in isolation from your soul
The bullets you bite
From the pain you request
You're finding it harder to digest
And the answers you seek
Are the ones you destroy
Your anger's well deployed
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
As love screams everywhere
Hey you now hunger
Feeding your mind with selfishness
Hey you now wander
Aimlessly around your consciousness
When your prophecies fail
And your thoughts become weak
Silence creates necessity
You're clothing yourself
In the shields of despair
Your courage now impaired
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
As love screams everywhere
Your crucify all honesty
No signs you see do you believe
And all you words just twist and turn
Reviving just to crash and burn
You're fighting to the bitter end
If only your heart could open up
And listen
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
As love screams everywhere
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
The lyrics of Collective Soul's song Listen convey a powerful message about the importance of listening, understanding, and accepting love. The song begins with the perspective of someone who is lost and disconnected from their soul. They are wandering in the desert, searching for something, and have become consumed with pain and anger. As they seek answers, they unknowingly destroy the very things they are looking for. The lyrics suggest that the person's inability to listen and hear the love around them is the underlying cause of their struggles.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that the person has become selfish and is driven by their own desires. They are aimlessly wandering around their consciousness, feeding their mind with self-centered thoughts. The person's prophecies and thoughts have failed them, and they are left with only silence. They have become so wrapped up in their own despair that they are shielding themselves from love and their courage has been lost.
The song's overall message is about the importance of listening to the world around us and understanding the love that is everywhere. The lyrics remind us that when we become too consumed with our own thoughts and desires that we can become lost, and it is only by listening that we can find our way back to love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you're now thirsty
You are in desperate need of something to quench your thirst.
Walking in the desert all alone
You are alone and confused, it feels like you are walking aimlessly with no direction.
Hey you're now searching
You are now looking for something that you feel is missing in your life.
Lost in isolation from your soul
You feel disconnected from your own soul and it is making you feel lost and lonely.
The bullets you bite
You are willingly subjecting yourself to hurtful experiences.
From the pain you request
You are choosing to expose yourself to painful situations.
You're finding it harder to digest
You are struggling to come to terms with the pain and its effect on you.
And the answers you seek
You are searching for answers to your problems.
Are the ones you destroy
The answers you keep finding aren't satisfying and you are rejecting them.
Your anger's well deployed
You have become skilled at channeling your anger towards others rather than addressing your own issues.
Hey why can't you listen
There are people and things around you trying to get your attention, but you ignore them.
Hey why can't you hear
You are deliberately ignoring the voices around you that are trying to help.
As love screams everywhere
Love is present all around you, but you are not accepting it.
Hey you now hunger
You are hungry for success and recognition, but it's becoming all-consuming.
Feeding your mind with selfishness
You are becoming obsessed with selfish pursuits and priorities.
Hey you now wander
You are no longer focused and are wandering aimlessly through life.
Aimlessly around your consciousness
You are no longer aware of the thoughts and feelings that drive you.
When your prophecies fail
Your hopes and ambitions have been shattered in some way.
And your thoughts become weak
You can't seem to think straight and your thoughts are muddled.
Silence creates necessity
The quiet around you makes you feel like you have to do something, but you're not sure what.
You're clothing yourself
In your pain and sadness, you are using it as a shield and hiding behind it.
In the shields of despair
You've become stagnant and trapped by your despair.
Your courage now impaired
You are losing your ability to be brave and take risks.
Your crucify all honesty
You are critical and even punishing of those being honest with you.
No signs you see do you believe
You are skeptical of anything that may contradict what you already believe.
And all you words just twist and turn
Your words are no longer clear and straightforward; you are constantly changing your opinion and views.
Reviving just to crash and burn
You are trying to make a comeback but always end up failing miserably.
You're fighting to the bitter end
You are determined not to give up, even if the outcome doesn't look good.
If only your heart could open up
You wish you could be more open and accepting of love.
And listen
If you were to listen, you may find what you need to break free from your current state.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ed Roland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Xavier Sage
Lyrics
Hey your thirsty
Walking in the desert all alone
Hey you're now searching
Lost in isolation from your soul
The bullets you bite
From the pain you request
You're finding it harder to digest
And the answers you seek
Are the ones you destroy
Your anger's well deployed
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
As love screams everywhere
Hey you now hunger
Feeding your mind with selfishness
Hey you now wander
Aimlessly around your consciousness
Your prophecies fail
And your thoughts become weak
Silence creates necessity
You're clothing yourself
In the shields of despair
Your courage now impaired
Your crucify all honesty
No signs you see do you believe
And all you words just twist and turn
Reviving just to crash and burn
You're fighting to the bitter end
If only your heart could open up
And listen
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Ed Roland
Listen lyrics © O/B/O Capasso
Listening2all
Hey your thirsty
Walking in the desert all alone
Hey you're now searching
Lost in isolation from your soul
when bullets you bite
From the pain you request
You're finding them harder to digest
but the answers you seek
Are the ones you destroy
Your anger's well deployed
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
as Love screams everywhere
Hey you now hunger
Feeding your mind with selfishness
Hey you now wander
Aimlessly around your consciousness
when your prophecies fail
when your thoughts become weak
the silence creates necessity
when You're clothing yourself
with the shield up despair…
your courage now impaired
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
As Love screams everywhere
you kiss goodbye all self esteem
no signs to see do you believe
and all your words just twist and turn
reviving just to crash and burn
you're fighting till the bitter end
if only your heart could open
open this
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
as Love screams everywhere
(Repeat chorus)
Alexandru Binescu
Lyrics: Collective Soul - Listen
Hey your thirsty
Walking in the desert all alone
Hey you're now searching
Lost in isolation from your soul
The bullets you bite
From the pain you request
You're finding it harder to digest
And the answers you seek
Are the ones you destroy
Your anger's well deployed
Hey why can't you listen
Hey why can't you hear
Hey why can't you listen
As love screams everywhere
Hey you now hunger
Feeding your mind with selfishness
Hey you now wander
Aimlessly around your consciousness
Your prophecies fail
And your thoughts become weak
Silence creates necessity
You're clothing yourself
In the shields of despair
Your courage now impaired
Your crucify all honesty
No signs you see do you believe
And all you words just twist and turn
Reviving just to crash and burn
You're fighting to the bitter end
If only your heart could open up
And listen
Guilherme Torelly
This band should be as big as Nirvana or Pearl Jam. Absolutely one of my favorite bands ever!
Stevie John
thats what SHE SAID
TS
I attended 15 of their shows over the last 20 yrs...every show was pure gold
Jen Note
Heck yeah. Why don't they get air play?
Matt's Baseball Card Breaks
They didn't sell out to the record label or sell their (collective) soul to the devil.
Pam Allinder
I agree. I thought they were from here.
Mizer
Collective Soul is such an amazing and talented band. I feel like they could make a hit song on any given day just rolling out of bed.
Ardkor Oz
Yessss
Ricky Bloom
These guys will always be one of my favorite bands out there period. So much talent and very underrated in my opinion.
Joel Collins
they always be my fav and im canadian