Describing the group Listener, a few years ago, would have involved discuss… Read Full Bio ↴Describing the group Listener, a few years ago, would have involved discussing two guys, a guitar, a macbook, and a washing machine; an explanation that would turn the head of even the most avant-garde fans of music. Listener has now evolved into a full fledged rock and roll power trio with vocalist Dan Smith playing bass and brass, guitarist Christin Nelson behind the monstrous musical arrangements, and drummer Kris Rochelle pounding the skins as if the ghost of John Bonham haunted his dreams. With thought provoking stage banter, music that keeps your mind busy, and words that quickly take hold of your heart, Listener is a near perfect balance of what words and music are supposed to be.

Eyes To The Ground For Change
Listener Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

a.) With a bag of oranges and the open road I keep my eyes to the ground for change.
We can all be free if that's what we want to be, but it won't always be that way.
And it's thrown away everywhere I see it too much.
I'm just trying to make the courage to stop and pick it up.
Some people feel just like home.
Some towns feel like your enemies, out here again like a punch in the face.
I'm a glutton for trying it all again, picking fights for the future with brand new friends, pointing out every old sin.
Trying not to get knocked down again, and that was yesterday (there's nothing there) and tomorrow is just the future.

No Big Deal!
b.) With a bag of oranges and the open road I keep my eyes to the ground for change.
Wanting it all now instead of when it's supposed to happen.
When will it happen?
If you have to ask, then not right now.
And that makes for a rough start but at least it's a start.
Dear Friends: please don't consider joy a weakness.
We're all survivors in some way.
Either on a worn out road to get there or through some kind.
of uniqueness.
I'm trying to see the fear that I've learned as grace, or the few things I've gathered as common sense (anyways).
Ignorance is trust and not the other way, and I'm on your side.
Trying to make more of it, but what can that first note be?
c.) With a bag of oranges and the open road I keep my eyes to the ground for change.
And I know it gets heavy to trust carrying all our former selves around inside of us.
Always leaking out of brokenness, and not many staying filled any better than me.
You don't know what you're gonna dream until you dream it.
So share your life!
It's the only way to keep it!
We don't get to do what we're supposed do because we give up too soon, but the end is not the goal.
Even seeds have to be planted and die to grow.
So I try and pick up change when I see it.
I try and share it and not keep it.

I try to not iron out the seams, and just let it be.
But I'm brand new this morning, so we'll see.

Overall Meaning

The song "Eyes to the Ground for Change" by Listener is a philosophy of life. The song is very introspective and talks about the journey of life, the struggles people face, and how the past can shape a person's future. With a bag of oranges and the open road, the singer in the song is looking for that change in life. He looks down to the ground to find it, symbolizing the importance of grounding oneself with reality to find the courage and strength to confront the struggles of life.

The song talks about the difficulty of reaching one's destination and how it involves taking chances, fighting for one's future, and making new friends. But the journey is not easy, and one must be prepared to face the struggles and risks that come with it. The past can hold people back, but the song encourages people to let go of their past mistakes and move forward. It talks about the importance of sharing your life with others, that we all are survivors in our own unique ways, and that we should all try to be better, to pick up change when we see it, share it, and not iron out the seams but just let it be.

Line by Line Meaning

With a bag of oranges and the open road I keep my eyes to the ground for change.
I am always looking for opportunities to make positive changes as I travel through life.

We can all be free if that's what we want to be, but it won't always be that way.
Freedom is available to everyone, but not everyone will fight to maintain it.

And it's thrown away everywhere I see it too much.
Opportunities for positive change are often disregarded and overlooked.

I'm just trying to make the courage to stop and pick it up.
I am trying to find the bravery to take advantage of the opportunities for positive change that I come across.

Some people feel just like home.
Certain individuals and places can make us feel safe and comfortable.

Some towns feel like your enemies, out here again like a punch in the face.
Some places can make us feel unwelcome or even like we are being attacked.

I'm a glutton for trying it all again, picking fights for the future with brand new friends, pointing out every old sin.
I have a tendency to reattempt failed endeavors, take a stance on future change with new acquaintances, and don't let past mistakes go unacknowledged.

Trying not to get knocked down again, and that was yesterday (there's nothing there) and tomorrow is just the future.
I'm trying to avoid past failures, choosing to not focus on yesterday, and only look forward to the future.

No Big Deal!
It's alright, it's not a big deal.

Wanting it all now instead of when it's supposed to happen.
Desiring immediate results instead of waiting for the right timing.

When will it happen?
Asking when the desired outcome will occur.

If you have to ask, then not right now.
If you are unsure if something will happen, the answer is likely no or not yet.

And that makes for a rough start but at least it's a start.
Not knowing the outcome can be difficult to come to terms with, but it's better than remaining stagnant or not taking action at all.

Dear Friends: please don't consider joy a weakness.
Joy should be celebrated, and not viewed as a vulnerability or weakness.

We're all survivors in some way.
We all have overcome obstacles or difficult situations, which makes us survivors in our own right.

Either on a worn out road to get there or through some kind of uniqueness.
We all have our own path to follow, which can be a difficult journey or a unique experience.

I'm trying to see the fear that I've learned as grace, or the few things I've gathered as common sense (anyways).
I'm trying to reframe my fear as grace, or use the limited knowledge I have as common sense in any situation.

Ignorance is trust and not the other way, and I'm on your side.
Sometimes it's better to trust without knowing all the details, and I am supportive of those who choose to do so.

Trying to make more of it, but what can that first note be?
I am attempting to make the most of the situation, but I am unsure of where to start.

And I know it gets heavy to trust carrying all our former selves around inside of us.
It can be burdensome to carry the weight of our past selves and experiences with us through life.

Always leaking out of brokenness, and not many staying filled any better than me.
Many people struggle to keep their lives together, and often feel like they are falling apart.

You don't know what you're gonna dream until you dream it.
You cannot predict your future aspirations or goals until they become a reality.

So share your life! It's the only way to keep it!
Sharing your experiences and interacting with others is the only way to truly appreciate and make the most of life.

We don't get to do what we're supposed do because we give up too soon, but the end is not the goal.
We often don't achieve what we are capable of because we give up too easily, but the journey is what truly matters, not just the end result.

Even seeds have to be planted and die to grow.
Growth and success often require sacrifice and difficulty.

I try and pick up change when I see it.
I take advantage of opportunities for positive change when they present themselves.

I try and share it and not keep it.
I choose to spread positivity and benefit others instead of keeping it to myself.

I try to not iron out the seams, and just let it be.
I aim to let things unfold naturally without trying to control every detail or outcome.

But I'm brand new this morning, so we'll see.
I have a fresh perspective and outlook today, so only time will tell how things will turn out.

Contributed by Gabriel T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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