Open Hand quickly built a massive buzz in the underground scene. A band’s band from the beginning, Open Hand was offered tours with the likes of Glassjaw, The Juliana Theory and Thursday. Those early tours and two acclaimed EP releases on its own American Propaganda label, Radio Days (1999) and Evolutions (2000), helped spread the buzz. Both EPs quickly sold out and soon the band was the talk of major label A&R reps – though perhaps too soon. After a couple of false starts with the majors, Open Hand opted to sign with the highly regarded indie Trustkill Records in 2002.
The following year, Trustkill issued The Dream, a collection of the band’s long out of print EPs with a couple of new bonus tracks. In spite of the material being a few years old, The Dream quickly became a favorite of fans, artists and critics around the world – topping countless Best Albums of 2003 lists.
In 2005, Trustkill issued the follow-up, You and Me, which met with rave reviews and was rated "album of the month" by Rock Sound in the UK. The stylistic departure from The Dream was huge: with most of the original members departed in favour of other projects, lead singer Justin Isham began working on a sound more akin to the Queens of the Stone Age, among others. The original concept for the album was a military story, traces of which are still evident in songs like Trench Warfare and The Ambush, but was quickly discarded on the advice of Isham's friends and bandmates.
Open Hand's third album, Honey, was released April 20, 2010 on Anodyne Records. The band expanded on the layered, guitar-heavy Queens of the Stone Age sound they forged with You and Me, but Honey also saw the band experimenting with other styles and directions, such as on the hip-hop infused "The Valley" (featuring Christopher "Kid" Reid from Kid n' Play) or the trashy riot grrl number "The Angels." Matt Talbot of Hum and Brodie Rush of Be/Non also contributed vocals for the record.
The Dream
Open Hand Lyrics
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I've come from so so far away
In such little time I have gained
My soul my mind
I've tried so hard to find
Is this what I must do to get by
And I ask myself why
Why don't you call me
I'll wait here
I'll find my way
Or will you help me
Help me share
Does she understand me
Or listen to what I say
Turn her back on my dreams
Watching waiting
No turning back
Find my way out
No turning back
Turn your back on my dreams
So strong so weak
Rest on your choice
Is this what I must do
Decide
Why
I know
Decide
Why
I know
Decide
Why
I know
Yeah
Why don't you write
Why don't you call me
I'll wait here
I'll find my way
Or will you help me
Help me share
I'll find my way out
Find my way out
I'll find my way
The lyrics of Open Hand's song "The Dream" depict a person who is feeling alone and isolated. Despite having come a long way in a short amount of time, the singer is still struggling to find themselves and their purpose. This feeling is intensified by the absence of someone who the singer longs to hear from, with repeated pleas for a call or a message. The final stanza of the song highlights the decision that the singer must make - whether to continue down the path they are on or to try and find a way out.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing for connection and understanding. The lyrics suggest that the person that the singer is addressing may not fully grasp the singer's hopes and dreams, leaving them feeling unsupported and lost. The repeated line of "I'll wait here, I'll find my way" suggests a resilience but also a sense of dependency on the absent person. The final section of "Decide, why, I know" suggests that the singer is searching for clarity and direction, but it is unclear whether this will come from within or from an external source.
In summary, "The Dream" by Open Hand is a song about a person who feels lost and is searching for connection and purpose. They long to hear from someone who understands them and their dreams, but ultimately must decide whether to continue down the path they are on or find a way out.
Line by Line Meaning
As I sit by myself
I am alone, deep in contemplation
I've come from so so far away
I have journeyed a great distance, physically and emotionally
In such little time I have gained
In a short period, I have made significant progress
My soul my mind
The essence of my being, my thoughts
I've tried so hard to find
I have put forth great effort in my search
Is this what I must do to get by
I wonder if this is the best path for me to follow
And I ask myself why
I question the reasoning behind my actions
Why don't you write
Why do you not communicate with me through writing?
Why don't you call me
Why do you not communicate with me through a phone call?
I'll wait here
I am patiently waiting for a response
I'll find my way
I will continue my journey
Or will you help me
Can you assist me in reaching my goals?
Help me share
Support me in spreading my message or ideas
Does she understand me
I question if the person I am communicating with truly comprehends my thoughts
Or listen to what I say
Or are they simply hearing my words without truly listening to their meaning?
Turn her back on my dreams
Rejecting or ignoring my aspirations
Watching waiting
Observing and anticipating what will happen next
No turning back
There is no going back, the decision has been made
Find my way out
Searching for a way to escape a difficult situation
Turn your back on my dreams
Disregarding or dismissing my personal goals
So strong so weak
Despite my inner strength, I am still vulnerable
Rest on your choice
Your decision has significant weight and consequences
Is this what I must do
I am uncertain if this is the path I must take
Decide
It is time to make a choice
Why
I still question the reasoning behind my actions
I know
I am aware of my options and their implications
Yeah
A confirming or assertive statement
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK ISHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind