Philip Hall, the band's first manager, had died from cancer earlier in 1994.
Bright Eyes
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics
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Is it a kind of dream
Floating down on the river
Following the river of death down stream
Oh is it a dream?
There's a fog on the horizon
A strange glow in the sky
Or what does it mean
Oh, oh is it a dream
Bright eyes
Burning like fire
Bright eyes
How can you close and fail
How can the eyes that burned so brightly
Suddenly turn so pale?
Bright eyes
Is it a kind of shadow
Reaching over the hill
Wandering over the hills unseen
Or is it a dream
There's a high wind in the trees
A cold sound in the air
And nobody knows where you can go
And where do you start
Oh oh, into the dark
Bright eyes
Burning like fire
Bright eyes
How can you close and fail
How can the eyes that burned so brightly
Suddenly grow so pale
Bright eyes
The Manic Street Preachers 'Bright Eyes' song opens with a melancholic, dreamy and surrealistic setting. The singer asks if what they are experiencing is a dream, a kind of abstraction to their reality. A river flowing downstream towards death represents the transient nature of life, suggesting that death is inevitable for everyone. There is fog on the horizon which highlights the uncertainty of life, with the strange glow in the sky representing the otherworldly nature of the unknown. The singer wonders what it all means: the dreams, uncertainty, and the transient nature of life.
In the next verse, the singer describes a kind of shadow, a presence that's unknown, similar to the previous verse. The high wind in the trees, cold sound in the air, and the darkness represent the challenges of life - we don't know where we're going, and the future is uncertain. The last stanza repeats the chorus with the 'Bright Eyes' motif, which symbolizes hope, optimism and a brighter future. The singer questions how these bright eyes could suddenly turn so pale, which suggests the loss of hope or optimism.
Overall, the lyrics of the song evoke mixed emotions of sadness, melancholy, and hope. It suggests that life is not certain, but there is always the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it a kind of dream
Are we experiencing an imaginary situation?
Floating down on the river
Moving along the river's smooth flow.
Following the river of death down stream
Traveling along the path of mortality.
Oh is it a dream?
Questioning the validity of the circumstances.
There's a fog on the horizon
A thick mist covers the distant view.
A strange glow in the sky
An unusual radiance shines from above.
And nobody knows where you can go
No one has a clear idea of the available options.
Or what does it mean
No one comprehends the significance.
Oh, oh is it a dream
Still questioning if it's a fictitious scenario.
Bright eyes
Eyes with a vivid glow.
Burning like fire
Radiating intense heat and energy.
How can you close and fail
How can you lose your luster and vitality.
How can the eyes that burned so brightly
How can the eyes that shone and dazzled,
Suddenly turn so pale?
Suddenly lose their vibrancy?
Is it a kind of shadow
Could it be a dark, projected image?
Reaching over the hill
Extending beyond the mountain's crest.
Wandering over the hills unseen
Roaming without being noticed.
Or is it a dream
Could it still be a figment of the imagination?
There's a high wind in the trees
A strong breeze rattles the foliage.
A cold sound in the air
A frigid noise echoes through the atmosphere.
And nobody knows where you can go
The direction is uncertain.
And where do you start
Where should you commence?
Oh oh, into the dark
Venturing into obscurity.
Bright eyes
Sparkling eyes.
Burning like fire
Flaming with a passion.
How can you close and fail
How can you dim and falter.
How can the eyes that burned so brightly
How can the eyes that radiated so much light,
Suddenly grow so pale
Suddenly become so faded and dull.
Bright eyes
Brightly shining eyes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MIKE BATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind