Cool Hand Luke is an indie group from Nashville, Tennessee, and was initial… Read Full Bio ↴Cool Hand Luke is an indie group from Nashville, Tennessee, and was initially formed by Brandon Morgan and Jason Hammil in 1998 while they attended Middle Tennessee State University. A punk rock influence showed itself within the band's early music, although the range and scope of Cool Hand Luke's sound changed quickly after Mark Nicks joined the band. Their more underground early efforts put them in the punk/emocore category, but since signing to Floodgate records in 2003, their sound has mellowed and branched out. The band's current sound is more of a melodic art-rock that reminds some people of a less focused Radiohead or a more diverse Coldplay. Despite some mild critical success and their tendency towards worshipful lyrics, Cool Hand Luke remains fairly unknown. In 2008 they inked a deal with Lujo Records who released their new album, The Sleeping House, on October 14, 2008.

In 2011, Cool Hand Luke self-released their final album, "Of Man." The album features many contributing artists including Tim McTague of UnderOath, and Nathan Walter of Quiet Science.

The Mirror
Cool Hand Luke Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I looked into the mirror
Didn't know what I would see
But it was still just me
But it was still just me
With all these different images
Of who they think is me
I don't know which one to be
And my eyes look like the sea

Oh, what fearful times are these
I know that You don't promise this, but please
Let me feel you now
Because I know that You are here
Whispering in my ear
And looking in the mirror

She woke up this morning
Didn't know who she should be
So she turned on the TV
So she could escape for free
And all this time You've been right here

But she just couldn't see
There is more than just a dream
She's the daughter of a King

Oh, what fearful times are these
I know that You don't promise this, but please
Let her feel you now
Because I know that You're there
Hearing every prayer
And returning her stare

I've been so many people to so many people
But I just want to be who You want me to be

Oh, what fearful times are these
O, Lord, you don't promise this but please
Let me feel you now
Because I know that You are here

Whispering in my ear
And looking in the mirror

Overall Meaning

Cool Hand Luke's song "The Mirror" delves into the theme of identity crisis and the struggle to find one's true self among the different images and expectations around them. In the first verse, the singer looks into the mirror and sees different versions of themselves, unable to identify which one is truly them. The metaphor of the sea in comparison to the singer's eyes indicates the depth and turmoil within this identity crisis. The singer yearns for God's presence and guidance in these fearful times, acknowledging that God doesn't promise an easy way out but still seeking comfort and reassurance.

The second verse shifts to a different perspective, that of a woman who wakes up unsure of herself and turns to television for escape. The singer acknowledges that despite her attempts to ignore it, God has been present all along, but the woman couldn't see it. The reassurance that she is the daughter of a King shows that her true identity lies in her relationship with God. The chorus repeats, amplifying the message of seeking God's presence and guidance amidst a confused sense of self.

The song speaks to the universal struggle of finding who we are in a world that constantly bombards us with different expectations and pressures, a message that resonates with many listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

I looked into the mirror
I gazed into the reflective surface

Didn't know what I would see
Unsure of what to expect from my reflection

But it was still just me
My reflection was the same person, just a mirrored image

With all these different images
Various versions of my perceived identity appear

Of who they think is me
These perceptions of me are based on outside opinions

I don't know which one to be
I am uncertain of which image is the true me

And my eyes look like the sea
My eyes have a depth and intensity like the ocean

Oh, what fearful times are these
These times are full of anxiety and apprehension

I know that You don't promise this, but please
I understand you have not made guarantees, yet I plead for comfort

Let me feel you now
Please allow me to sense your presence at the present moment

Because I know that You are here
Despite my uncertainty, I believe that you are with me

Whispering in my ear
You offer words of guidance in a soft voice

And looking in the mirror
You see me just as I am, flaws and all

She woke up this morning
She arose at the start of a new day

Didn't know who she should be
She was unsure of her true identity

So she turned on the TV
She tried to distract herself from these conflicting thoughts

So she could escape for free
The television was a way to avoid facing her inner turmoil without cost

And all this time You've been right here
Despite not realizing it, you have been by her side all along

But she just couldn't see
Her mind was too clouded to recognize your presence

There is more than just a dream
Life is not just a figment of one's imagination

She's the daughter of a King
She is a valuable creation of a higher power

I've been so many people to so many people
I have tried to conform to others' expectations and change my identity accordingly

But I just want to be who You want me to be
Ultimately, I desire to be the person intended by a higher power

O, Lord, you don't promise this but please
Although you have made no guarantees, I still request your assistance

Hearing every prayer
You listen intently to all requests made in prayer

And returning her stare
You meet her gaze with an unwavering presence

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICARDO GARDNER, STEPHEN MCGREGOR, ROY THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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