Understanding
Collective Soul Lyrics
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Got a savior, says he's gonna save who
Come together people
Tell me what new habit can we choose?
We're thinking and we're trying
Yeah, we're truthful then we're lying, I'm sure you know
We're quiet then we're loud
Do we get a second chance to these answers that we lack?
Or are we guided by the hope of some brilliant flash?
Tell me, tell me how long will this sobriety last?
Who's understanding? Yeah, understanding
To the ways, the means of our own self
We got the sex, the dreams with nothing else
Who's understanding? Yeah, understanding
To the right, the wrong of our own self
We got the look, the pose with nothing else
Dancing to the rhythm
From the knowledge of a hard drive spin
Looking for the formula
That always will save us in the end
We're creeping and we're crawling
Yeah, we're pushing, then we're stalling, have you felt?
We're open, then we're closing
Yeah, we're hiding, then we're showing, can you tell?
Do we get a second chance to these answers that we lack?
Or are we guided by the hope of some brilliant flash?
Tell me, tell me how long will this sobriety last?
Who's understanding? Yeah, understanding
To the ways the means of our own self
We got the sex, the dreams with nothing else
Who's understanding? Yeah, understanding
To the right, the wrong of our own self
We got the look, the pose with nothing else
Do we understand?
Do we understand all the words we've said?
The lyrics to Collective Soul’s song Understanding are introspective in nature, exploring the complex and often paradoxical elements of human behavior. The opening lines suggest a sense of competition in the world, and introduce the idea of a “savior” who promises to rescue and save others. However, the lyrics then shift focus to ask the listener what new habits can be adopted in order to make positive changes. The following lines explore the inherent contradictions present in human nature, with the singer acknowledging that people can be both truthful and deceitful, quiet and loud, hopeful and doubtful. The chorus repeats the question of who truly understands the ways and means of the self, and references the shallow nature of some aspects of human desire, such as sex and material possessions.
The next verse speaks to the often frantic nature of the search for meaning and understanding, with references to dancing to the rhythm and seeking a formula that will always “save us in the end”. The lyrics also acknowledge the tendency towards ambivalence in human behavior, with pushing and stalling, opening and closing, and hiding and exposing all mentioned. The final lines of the song ask whether we truly understand the words we have said, suggesting that perhaps genuine understanding of ourselves and our actions remains elusive.
Line by Line Meaning
With better competition
In the face of greater challenges
Got a savior, says he's gonna save who
Someone claims to have the power to rescue us
Come together people
Unite, collaborate
Tell me what new habit can we choose?
What lifestyle changes can we make?
We're thinking and we're trying
We're making an effort
Yeah, we're truthful then we're lying, I'm sure you know
We're not always honest
We're quiet then we're loud
Our behavior can be inconsistent
Yeah, we're hopeful then we doubt, I'm sure it shows
We vacillate between optimism and pessimism
Who's understanding? Yeah, understanding
Who comprehends the complexity of our situation?
To the ways, the means of our own self
We got the sex, the dreams with nothing else
We focus on pleasure and success, but lack deeper purpose or fulfillment
Do we get a second chance to these answers that we lack?
Can we revisit our mistakes and find a better solution?
Or are we guided by the hope of some brilliant flash?
Do we rely on sudden inspiration to solve our problems?
Tell me, tell me how long will this sobriety last?
How long can we maintain our seriousness and self-control?
To the right, the wrong of our own self
We struggle to discern right from wrong in our own lives
We got the look, the pose with nothing else
We prioritize appearance over substance
Dancing to the rhythm
From the knowledge of a hard drive spin
We live in a world guided by technology and digital information
Looking for the formula
That always will save us in the end
We seek a foolproof solution to all our problems
We're creeping and we're crawling
We're making slow progress
Yeah, we're pushing, then we're stalling, have you felt?
We experience setbacks and delays
We're open, then we're closing
We shift between being receptive and closed off
Yeah, we're hiding, then we're showing, can you tell?
We sometimes conceal our true selves, sometimes reveal them
Do we understand?
Do we truly comprehend?
Do we understand all the words we've said?
Are we aware of the impact of our own words?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEAN ROLAND, ED ROLAND, JOEL KOSCHE, WILLIAM TURPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind