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 Since the mid 1980's, Roland had been involved in underground music; either making unpublished demos or performing.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 1999โs 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 1994โ2001, 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.
Needs
Collective Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too much tomorrow I think I'll take all today
Am I a poison am I a thorn in the side
Am I a picture perfect subject tonight
I don't need nobody
I don't need the weight of words
To find the way
I don't need nobody
I just need to learn the depth
Or doubt of faith to fall into
Here I slumber to awaken my daze
I find convenience in this savior I save
Am I a prison am I a source of dire news
Am I a picture perfect reason for you
I don't need nobody
I don't need the weight of words
To find the way
To crash on through
I don't need nobody
I just need to learn the depth
Or doubt of faith to fall into
In this time of substitute
It's my needs I've answered to (all the while)
And the hopes that I invest
Turns to signals of distress (all the while)
I don't need nobody
I don't need the weight of words
To find the way
To crash on through
I don't need nobody
I just need to learn the depth
Or doubt of faith to fall into
You are all I need
When the water runs deep
You're all I need
Now I cry my soul to sleep
You're all I need
You are all I need
You are all I need
You are all I need
The lyrics of Collective Soul's song Needs revolve around the theme of self-discovery and self-reliance. The persona seems lost and unsure of their place in the world, questioning if they are a burden on others or if they can be the perfect subject for someone. They then declare that they don't need anyone's help or words to find their way and crash through.
The refrain "I don't need nobody" is repeated several times, but it is followed by a twist that the persona just needs to learn the depth or doubt of faith to fall into. It shows that while the persona is self-reliant, they acknowledge that they still have much to learn and explore in their journey. The bridge mentions the time of substitute, where their needs have led them, and how the hopes invested have turned to signals of distress.
The contrasting verse of "You are all I need" seems to be directed to someone specific or maybe even to a divine power, as it states that this person is all they need during the difficult times when they cry their soul to sleep. It shows that while they are trying to find their way and rely on themselves, they also acknowledge that there are times they need external help, and there is someone they trust to be there for them.
Overall, Needs is a song about self-awareness and the balancing act of being self-reliant and accepting help when needed. It is also a reminder that the journey of self-discovery is not easy and that there is always more to learn.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me I see what weakness has made
Everywhere I look, I see the negative outcomes of weakness.
Too much tomorrow I think I'll take all today
Instead of worrying about the future, I'll focus on living in the present.
Am I a poison am I a thorn in the side
Am I causing harm or difficulty in someone's life?
Am I a picture perfect subject tonight
Am I the ideal person to be around in this moment?
I don't need nobody
I don't need anyone else.
I don't need the weight of words
I don't need to be influenced or weighed down by what others say.
To find the way
To find direction or purpose.
To crash on through
To overcome obstacles and succeed despite challenges.
I just need to learn the depth
I need to gain a greater understanding of something.
Or doubt of faith to fall into
Or to explore and question my beliefs.
Here I slumber to awaken my daze
I am taking time to rest and reflect in order to become more clear-headed.
I find convenience in this savior I save
I find it easy to rely on someone or something to save me.
Am I a prison am I a source of dire news
Am I trapping others or spreading bad news?
Am I a picture perfect reason for you
Am I the perfect explanation or justification for your actions?
In this time of substitute
In this time of replacement or temporary solutions.
It's my needs I've answered to (all the while)
I have been focused on fulfilling my own needs all along.
And the hopes that I invest
The expectations and desires I have put into something.
Turns to signals of distress (all the while)
Are becoming signs of trouble over time.
You are all I need
You are the one and only thing I require.
When the water runs deep
When things get intense or difficult.
Now I cry my soul to sleep
I am overwhelmed by emotion and am struggling to find peace.
Lyrics ยฉ Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ED ROLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Resty Mara
Lyrics:
All around me I see what weakness has made
Too much tomorrow I think I'll take all today
Am I a poison am I a thorn in the side
Am I a picture perfect subject tonight
I don't need nobody
I don't need the weight of words
To find the way
To crash on through
I don't need nobody
I just need to learn the depth
Or doubt of faith to fall into
Here I slumber to awaken my daze
I find convenience in this savior I save
Am I a prison am I a source of dire news
Am I a picture perfect reason for you
I don't need nobody
I don't need the weight of words
To find the way
To crash on through
I don't need nobody
I just need to learn the depth
Or doubt of faith to fall into
In this time of substitute
It's my needs I've answered to (all the while)
And all the hopes that I invest
Turns to signals of distress (all the while)
I don't need nobody
I don't need the weight of words
To find the way
To crash on through
I don't need nobody
I just need to learn the depth
Or doubt of faith to fall into
You are all I need
When the water runs deep
You're all I need
Now I cry my soul to sleep
You're all I need
You are all I need
You are all I need
You are all I need
Elise Ferrier Scarpa
Perfect song for where I am now. Just lost my daddy on 11-17-21. I am not a drama person at all...I miss him, I wish people could see this in me as I am.
Madhu EkaNayake
I lost mine 2 weeks ago... He got me this album in 2000ish.... Dosage reminds me of him so much.... All this time later this hurts now more than ever.
Joseph Edge
Youre not alone man. Heres somplace with people in the same spot. best.
Choon How
Sorry.
Gary Woods
Hang in there. It does get better with time. Itโs been 30 years since I lost mine.
Philip Smit
Never give up
Nemo The Explorer
1999: This song is amazing
2020: This song is still amazing
Long live Collective Soul๐
Amity B
It is so beautiful! It has stood the test of time.
Herbert Richard
Real beauty mixed with deep melancholy makes this one an all-time great. Unparallelled to my mind.
Scout
@Amity B Absolutely. Still one of my favorite Collective Soul songs. - 2021