The New Zealand rock band have released three albums - 2004's platinum selling 'You Are Here', 2007's multi-platinum selling 'Second Hand Planet', and 2010's 'Until The End Of Time'.
Opshop were winners of the coveted 'Peoples Choice Award' at the 2007 New Zealand Music Awards. Also in 2007 their single “Maybe” achieved the honour of being the biggest song at New Zealand radio ever, holding the #1 most-played spot for 12 consecutive weeks.
Opshop describe their sound like this: "An equal opportunistic grab bag of semi-funkster pop and crackle 'muesli' rock. We like playing music that sounds nice and loud. And dirty and quiet and every nook 'n' cranny in between. If you're not sure what it is. Its likely to be ours".
AWAKEN
Opshop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dishes pilin’ to the sink
I caught a glimpse and I was sleepin’
I tried on other faces
I tried on other spaces
Yeah…
Contagious abandon
Some people give other people
A licence to take chance
A licence to make a change
Woah…
Sleep in your darkness
Or walk on water and back again
Sleep in your thoughts now
Or try on other souls again, oh
[Chorus]
Awaken…
Awaken…
Awaken…
Awaken…
Wrestle with bravado
But you love it desperately, yeah
You and me we’re part of each other
I will see you when I’m dreamin’
May I see you when I dream
Oh, sleep in your darkness
Or walk on water and back again
Sleep in your thoughts now
Or try on other souls again, oh
Awaken…
Awaken…
Awaken…
Awaken…
If I could find myself a human race
That remembers my divine place
I could enter a life without a trace…
Stoke the fire, we’re home tonight
We’ll fall to pieces and start again
Sleep in your souls or try on other thoughts again
Awaken…
Awaken…
Awaken…
Awaken…
[Instrumental To End]
The lyrics to "Awaken" by Opshop seem to suggest a feeling of being half-awake or sleepwalking through life, caught up in the mundane tasks of daily living. The first verse describes a scene of dishes piling up in the sink while the singer is caught between the waking world and a dreamlike state. They "tried on other faces" and "spaces," perhaps exploring different identities or lifestyles. The second verse suggests a desire for change and a willingness to take chances, but only with the permission of others who inspire that bravery. The chorus repeatedly urges the listener to "awaken," or become fully conscious and aware of their potential.
The third verse introduces the idea of wrestling with bravado, or putting on a confident front, while secretly feeling desperate for connection. The line "you and me we're part of each other" suggests the need for human connection and recognition of one's place in the world. The final verse introduces a longing for a sense of belonging or purpose, for a human race that remembers our divine place. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, reminding us to wake up and take hold of our lives.
Overall, "Awaken" seems to be a call to action, encouraging listeners to break free of their patterns and routines and embrace their true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Wide awake in my slumber
Even though I'm asleep, my mind is active and aware
Dishes pilin’ to the sink
I haven't been taking care of my responsibilities
I caught a glimpse and I was sleepin’
My mind has been drifting and not fully present in my life
I tried on other faces
I've been experimenting with different personas or identities
I tried on other spaces
I've been exploring different environments or lifestyles
Contagious abandon
An irresistible feeling of freedom and recklessness that spreads to others
I’m addicted to the charm
I'm drawn to the appeal of this abandon and can't resist it
Some people give other people
Certain individuals empower and inspire others
A licence to take chance
These people encourage others to take risks and seize opportunities
A licence to make a change
These people inspire others to make positive changes in their lives
Sleep in your darkness
Remain in a state of sadness, pain, or isolation
Or walk on water and back again
Take bold and exceptional risks or challenges, with the potential to fail and recover from it
Sleep in your thoughts now
Be trapped by your negative or unproductive thought patterns
Or try on other souls again, oh
Explore different perspectives and experiences to gain new insights and understanding
Wrestle with bravado
Act with boldness or confidence, despite fearing the consequences
But you love it desperately, yeah
I'm addicted to these thrilling and intense experiences
You and me we’re part of each other
We're connected and interdependent
I will see you when I’m dreamin’
We'll be close and intimate, even in unconscious states
May I see you when I dream
A hopeful wish to maintain this connection always
If I could find myself a human race
If there were people who understood my true identity and potential
That remembers my divine place
Who honor and respect my inner worth and value
I could enter a life without a trace…
I could start anew and become who I was always meant to be
Stoke the fire, we’re home tonight
Let's rekindle the spark of our passions and feel content and secure where we are
We’ll fall to pieces and start again
We'll experience challenges and changes, but we'll recover and rebuild ourselves
Sleep in your souls or try on other souls again
Remain trapp and limited by your own experiences, or embrace new perspectives and ways of being
Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.