During the band's early years, In Flames had a varying group of musicians recording with them, including many session musicians. By the release of Colony (1999), the group had established a stable lineup. Their sixth studio album Reroute to Remain (2002) showed the band moving toward a newer style of music that moved further away from melodic death metal and closer to alternative metal. This decision was criticized by fans of the group's heavier metal sound; however, it increased the band's mainstream audience and bolstered their album sales. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over two million records worldwide.
Since the band's inception, In Flames have released thirteen studio albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs, their latest release being their thirteenth studio album I, the Mask in 2019. In Flames has been nominated for three Grammis Awards. They won two of these nominations; one for Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004) in the "Hard Rock/Metal of the Year" category, and one nomination for their following album Come Clarity (2006) in the same category.
Like Sand
In Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I, I believe that the whole wild world is afraid of me
How did I end up here
Half alive and still full of fears
If I'm honest I think you'll see
I'm scared to share what's calling for me
You say, make the most of your time
What can't kill you makes you stronger
So I heard but I'm going under
I will try, I will try
I want the whole world, the whole world, the whole world in my hands
But it's just slipping through like sand (I want the whole world)
I try hard to be like you
You're my Queen but I break in two
I think I can overcome all the mistakes that I've done
You say, make the most of your time
Hard to work when it's not on your side
What can't kill you makes you stronger
So you say but I'm going under
I will try, I will try
I want the whole world, the whole world, the whole world in my hands
But it's just slipping through like sand
I want the whole world, the whole world, the whole world in my hands
But it's just slipping through like sand
I believe that the whole wild world is afraid of me
I want the whole world, the whole world, the whole world in my hands
But it's just slipping through like sand
I want the whole world, the whole world, the whole world in my hands
But it's just slipping through like sand
The lyrics of "Like Sand," by Swedish metal band In Flames, explore themes of fear, insecurity, and the struggle to achieve one's goals. The opening lines, "I believe that the whole wild world is against me / I, I, I believe that the whole wild world is afraid of me," suggest a sense of paranoia and isolation. The singer feels that he is up against the world and that the world is up against him in turn. This could be interpreted as a manifestation of deep-seated anxieties and doubts about one's place in the world.
The second verse, "How did I end up here / Half alive and still full of fears," suggests that the singer feels stuck in a rut. He is plagued by fear and uncertainty, and feels unable to move forward. He is afraid to take risks and to pursue what he really wants for fear of failure. The lines "I'm scared to share what's calling for me" convey the sense that the singer has a calling or a dream, but feels unable to pursue it.
The chorus of the song, "I will try, I will try / I want the whole world, the whole world, the whole world in my hands / But it's just slipping through like sand," expresses a sense of frustration and disillusionment. The singer is determined to achieve his goals, to have the whole world in his hands, but feels that his efforts are in vain. The metaphor of the world slipping through his fingers like sand suggests that he is unable to get a grip on his dreams and is losing hope.
Overall, "Like Sand" is a powerful exploration of the human struggle to find meaning, purpose, and happiness in a challenging and uncertain world. It encourages us to keep fighting for what we want, even when the odds seem stacked against us, and to never give up on our dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe that the whole wild world is against me
I think everyone in the world is my enemy
How did I end up here
I wonder how I got to this point
Half alive and still full of fears
I feel like I'm only partially living and still have many fears
If I'm honest I think you'll see
If I'm truthful, you might understand me better
I'm scared to share what's calling for me
I'm afraid to reveal what I really want to do
You say, make the most of your time
You advise me to use my time well
Hard to work when it's not on your side
It's difficult to be productive when the circumstances aren't favorable
What can't kill you makes you stronger
Experiences that don't kill you can make you stronger
So I heard but I'm going under
Although I've heard this saying, I feel like I'm sinking anyways
I will try, I will try
I promise to put in effort to succeed
I want the whole world, the whole world, the whole world in my hands
I want to have control over everything
But it's just slipping through like sand
But everything is out of my grasp
I try hard to be like you
I put in effort to emulate you
You're my Queen but I break in two
Although you are important to me, I can't seem to hold myself together
I think I can overcome all the mistakes that I've done
I believe that I can rectify all my past errors
I believe that the whole wild world is afraid of me
I think everyone in the world is scared of me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anders Friden, Bjorn Gelotte, Niclas Ingmar Engelin, Lenny Skolnik, Bob Marlette, Seann Bowe, Howard Benson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind