Originally formed as Pilate in 1999, the Toronto-based rock quartet changed… Read Full Bio ↴Originally formed as Pilate in 1999, the Toronto-based rock quartet changed their name to "Pilot Speed" in mid-2006, in order to avoid possible lawsuits as their music spread internationally from their native Canada. Pilate were born in 2000 after vocalist and New Zealand native Todd Clark left the music program at the University of Western Ontario where he'd been studying and placed an ad online for potential bandmates. Bassist Ruby Bumrah, a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, answered the call, bringing with him fellow alums Chris Greenough (guitar) and Bill Keeley (drums). Citing influences like Crowded House, Radiohead, and U2 for Pilate's especially sweeping brand of melodic rock -- not so dissimilar to acts like Keane, Coldplay, and Snow Patrol -- they released the six-song EP For All That's Given, Wasted in the summer of 2001. It quickly sold out its initial pressing and established the guys as players in the Canadian music scene.

They then landed opening slots on shows for Broken Social Scene, DFA 1979, and Hot Hot Heat, and received the honor of Best Unsigned Band at the 2002 North by Northeast music conference (Canada's version of SXSW in the U.S.). Soon after, Pilate inked a deal with indie MapleMusic Recordings, which then released their full-length debut, Caught by the Window, in 2003. The album produced two hits on national radio and MuchMusic, as the guys toured North America, Australia, and Japan. Their follow-up, Sell Control for Life's Speed, appeared back at home in mid-2006, after which the band changed its name to Pilot Speed. The quartet had signed with Wind-Up earlier that same year following the completion of its third album overall (and first as Pilot Speed), Into the West; the label released the record that September.

A Kind Of Hope
Pilate Lyrics

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I dreamed a garden full of light
Just you and a man in white
He tears the apples from your eyes
Just to navigate your rise

Waiting for the moment when the night becomes kind, theres a shadow creeping through here will it reach your heart and mind?
Standing in the corner too tired to sense defeat
You long to take this with you

Yet yearn to be set free

I've wasted words of love and faith
Their true meaningcame too late
Now they're just whispers in the dark
Just scars upon your heart

Waiting for the moment when the night becomes kind, theres a shadow creeping through here will it reach your heart and mind?
Standing in the corner too tired to sense defeat
You long to take this with you
And you yearn to be set free

There's a kind of hope that you hold on to
When the way is dark and theres little to lose, a kiss goodnight,the trap we spring, don't turn me out,
I've gold, I've gold to bring

Waiting for the moment when the night becomes kind
There's a shadow creeping through here
Will it reach your heart and mind?
Standing in the corner too tired but I see fine

Are you holding up?
Is this situation dire?
Please don't tire!
Are you holding up?
Is this situation dire?

Theres a kind of hope you hold on to
Whent he way is dark and theres little to lose

Can you a build a life on your knees?
When the cost you paid is the prize you seek

Overall Meaning

The song "A Kind of Hope" by Pilate is a beautiful composition that tells a story of hope, despair, and redemption. The lyrics describe a dream about a garden full of light, where the singer is with a man in white who tears the apples from her eyes to navigate her rise. These lines are a powerful metaphor for a struggle with temptation and spiritual growth. The singer is waiting for a moment when the night becomes kind, and a shadow that creeps through her heart and mind is dispelled. Though she longs to take something with her and be set free, she feels too tired to sense defeat.

The song's chorus talks about a kind of hope that you hold on to when the way is dark and there is little to lose. It compares hope to a kiss goodnight, a trap we spring, and gold to bring. The prosody of the song complements the lyrical themes with a slow-paced melody that builds through gentle piano chords and ambient guitar riffs. The verses' descending melody contrasts with the ascending melody of the chorus, culminating in a beautiful bridge that repeats the chorus.

In conclusion, "A Kind of Hope" is a poetic exploration of our struggles and aspirations, ending with a question about the cost we pay and the prize we seek.

Line by Line Meaning

I dreamed a garden full of light
I had a dream about a beautiful garden surrounded by light

Just you and a man in white
You were with a man dressed in white

He tears the apples from your eyes
He removed the things that were blinding you

Just to navigate your rise
So that you could find your way to success

Waiting for the moment when the night becomes kind, theres a shadow creeping through here will it reach your heart and mind?
Anticipating a time when things will get better, but still concerned about something lurking in the background that may harm you emotionally

Standing in the corner too tired to sense defeat
You're feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, but determined not to quit

You long to take this with you
You want to hold onto what you have

Yet yearn to be set free
At the same time, you desire to break away from something that is holding you back

I've wasted words of love and faith
I uttered words that expressed deep affection and belief, but it was too late

Their true meaning came too late
I didn't understand the significance of my sentiments until it was too late

Now they're just whispers in the dark
What I said is now just faint echoes in the darkness

Just scars upon your heart
My words hurt you more than they helped, leaving emotional scars that persist

There's a kind of hope that you hold on to
Despite everything, there's a motivational force helping you persist

When the way is dark and theres little to lose, a kiss goodnight,the trap we spring, don't turn me out, I've gold, I've gold to bring
When everything appears grim, even the smallest actions or gestures can have profound meaning. I'm bringing with me something that can make a difference

Standing in the corner too tired but I see fine
Despite being wearied, I still perceive things perfectly

Are you holding up?
Are you still capable of enduring difficulties?

Is this situation dire?
Is this scenario truly desperate?

Please don't tire!
Please don't succumb to exhaustion!

Can you a build a life on your knees?
Can you continue to struggle and persevere despite being in a weak position?

When the cost you paid is the prize you seek
When what you've sacrificed is what you hope to gain

Contributed by Joseph L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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