The following albums saw large shifts in style. Much Afraid saw them releasing gorgeous - sometimes brittle - music, which the Band intended to have a "timeless" sound, while If I Left the Zoo is a quirkier but musically brilliant album, featuring considerably more keys and experimentation. The Eleventh Hour is their first true "rock" album. They returned to acoustic guitars for the "Furthermore" project, which featured two EPs - a live disc and an acoustic disc. The band's 5th album, Who We Are Instead continued some of the band's earlier sonic experiments and showcased some new gospel, bluegrass, and hymnsong influences. The hymnsong approach was continued on an album of new arrangements of classic hymns - Redemption Songs.
Good Monsters was released on Sept. 05, 2006. The album was hailed by CCM Magazine as "Album of the Year" - a controversial move considering that this announcement was made in August. "Good Monsters" further showcases the diverse style of the venerable quartet and is considered by the band to be their first true "rock" record. It is a rock driven record with electric guitars having prevalence on more of the songs than any previous albums. The album also has other stylistic influences and even includes a choir of African school children, while lyrically, it hits the darker side of their self-shaped genre.
In 2007, Jars of Clay announced that they were leaving Essential Records and were creating their own record label, Gray Matters. Jars of Clay released Christmas Songs through Gray Matters in 2007, and the Closer EP was released in the Summer of 2008.
April 21, 2009 marked the release of The Long Fall Back to Earth, containing two tracks from the Closer EP and 12 additional tracks. Two Hands is the first single from that release.
Take Me Higher
Jars of Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blood and water from one side.
It took your eyes to stare me down,
It took the truth to set me free, to set me free.
Lookin' for a place to hide, waitin' for the wind to rise,
My soul is waiting,
Lookin' for a place to hide, I need a little peace tonight.
Take me higher than the sun, yeah you are the only one
Take me higher than the sun, yeah, yeah.
Around the ceiling of the heart,
Is where we find the things that send us away,
To where the blind can see the stars.
So do you see the stars, do you see the stars?
Looking for a place to hide,
Need a little peace tonight.
Take me higher than the sun, yeah you are the only one.
Take me higher than the sun yeah, yeah.
Take me higher than the sun yeah you are the only one.
Take me higher than the sun, yeah yeah.
Take me higher than the sun, you are the only one
You are the only one, you are the only one higher than the sun.
In Jars of Clay's "Take Me Higher," the lyrics describe a journey of internal transformation. The first stanza talks about the difficulties of turning away from something that has held the singer captive, something that has caused emotional pain, but the truth has set them free. The second stanza describes a need for escape and peace, and the singer takes refuge in the stars where clarity is found. The chorus echoes the title and the sentiment that the only way to find solace is to go higher than the sun, and it is only with the help of another person that they can reach that place.
The final stanza asks if the listener can see the stars. The reference to the stars can be interpreted as a metaphor for inner illumination, that when we turn inward, we can see clearly and find meaning. The song ends with a repeated refrain that the other person is the only one who can help take the singer higher than the sun. It's a call for connection and support, acknowledging that we all need help on our journeys.
Line by Line Meaning
It took a lot to turn away,
It was difficult to resist temptation and choose the right path.
Blood and water from one side.
Biblical reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the water and blood shed from his side representing the sacrifice made for salvation.
It took your eyes to stare me down,
Having someone hold you accountable and confront your actions can lead to positive change.
It took the truth to set me free, to set me free.
Only by accepting the truth and facing reality can one truly find freedom.
Lookin' for a place to hide, waitin' for the wind to rise,
Feeling lost and hoping for a sign or direction to guide you.
My soul is waiting,
A spiritual yearning for something more.
Lookin' for a place to hide, I need a little peace tonight.
Desire for peace and rest from the chaos of life.
Take me higher than the sun, yeah you are the only one
Asking for spiritual guidance and direction from a higher power.
Around the ceiling of the heart,
Emphasizing the importance of matters of the heart and emotions.
Is where we find the things that send us away,
Sometimes our emotional struggles and fears can drive us away from what we truly need most.
To where the blind can see the stars.
Finding hope and clarity even in the midst of darkness and confusion.
So do you see the stars, do you see the stars?
Encouraging reflection and introspection to find clarity and direction.
Take me higher than the sun, yeah you are the only one.
Continuing to ask for guidance and direction from a higher power.
Take me higher than the sun yeah, yeah.
Again, expressing the desire for spiritual elevation and enlightenment.
Take me higher than the sun yeah you are the only one.
Emphasizing the belief that there is only one source of true guidance and direction.
Take me higher than the sun, yeah yeah.
Reinforcing the desire for spiritual elevation and enlightenment.
Take me higher than the sun, you are the only one
Finalizing the belief that there is only one source of true guidance and direction.
You are the only one, you are the only one higher than the sun.
Affirmation of the belief that there is only one source of true guidance and direction that can elevate us to new heights.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: RON ANIELLO, DAN HASELTINE, CHARLIE LOWELL, STEVE MASON, MATT ODMARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind