R.A.V.A.G.E was the name of the thrash/death metal band Atheist before they… Read Full Bio ↴R.A.V.A.G.E was the name of the thrash/death metal band Atheist before they shortened it. It means "Raging Atheists Vowing A Gory End". The band made a self-produced demo titled "Rotting in Hell" With the line-up of:
Kelly Shaefer - Guitar/Vocals
Steve Flynn - Drums
Roger Patterson - Bass
In August 1985 they entered Progressive Studios in Tampa to record one song "Kill Or Be Killed"
which was added to four other songs that were recorded live on a mixing desk due to a lack of money and that became the "Rotting In Hell" demo.
Despite the rough sound, the tape did quite a bit to establish the band's name in the underground via the tape trading and fanzine networks.

Beyond
R.A.V.A.G.E. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've watched the stars fall silent
From your eyes
All the sights that I have seen

I can't believe that
I believed I wished
That you could see

There's a new planet
In the solar system
There is nothing up my sleeve

I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
I'm tossing out punchlines
That were never there
Over my shoulder a piano falls
Crashing to the ground

In all this talk of time
Talk is fine
But I don't want to stay around

Why can't we pantomime
Just close our eyes
And sleep sweet dreams
Me and you with wings on our feet

I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
I'm tossing out punchlines
That were never there
Over my shoulder a piano falls
Crashing to the ground

I'm breaking through
I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers in full bloom
I'm looking for answers
From the great beyond

I want the hummingbirds
The dancing bears
Sweetest dreams of you
I look into the stars
I look into the moon

I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs
I'm tossing out punchlines
That were never there
Over my shoulder a piano falls
Crashing to the ground

I'm breaking through
I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers
In full bloom
I'm looking for answers
From the great beyond

I'm breaking through
I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers
In full bloom
I'm looking for
Answers from the great
Answers from the great, answers

I'm breaking through
I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers
In full bloom
I'm looking for answers
From the great beyond

I'm breaking through
I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers
In full bloom
I'm looking for
Answers from the great
Answers from the great, answers

I'm breaking through
I'm bending spoons
I'm keeping flowers
In full bloom

I'm looking for
Answers from the great beyond

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to R.A.V.A.G.E.'s song "Beyond" depict the singer's search for answers and a deeper understanding of life and the universe. The opening lines refer to the loss of something important, indicated by the "stars fall[ing] silent from your eyes." The singer then describes their experiences and observations, suggesting that they have seen and learned a lot.

However, despite their knowledge, the singer expresses a desire to share their insights with someone they care about ("that you could see"). The mention of a new planet in the solar system and the phrase "there is nothing up my sleeve" imply that the singer is not trying to deceive anyone and is genuinely seeking answers.

The chorus, which repeats throughout the song, is a metaphor for the difficulty and futility of trying to achieve something seemingly impossible or nonsensical, like "pushing an elephant up the stairs" or "tossing out punchlines that were never there." The crashing piano adds to this imagery and possibly represents the singer's frustration with their quest.

The final lines suggest that the singer is looking to the "great beyond" - whether that means the supernatural, the unknown, or simply the vast expanse of space is left open to interpretation.

Overall, "Beyond" is a contemplative and somewhat mystical song that explores themes of knowledge, connection, and the search for meaning.

Line by Line Meaning

I've watched the stars fall silent from your eyes
I've observed the loss of hope and passion in your eyes

All the sights that I have seen, I can't believe that I believed I wished that you could see
I can hardly fathom that I once hoped that you would see the beauty of the world as I have seen it

There's a new planet in the solar system, there is nothing up my sleeve
Something new and unexpected has come into my life, but there is no deception or trickery

I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs, I'm tossing out punchlines that were never there, over my shoulder a piano falls, crashing to the ground
I feel like I'm fighting an impossible and ridiculous task, and I try to be witty but it falls flat, and everything seems to be falling apart around me

In all this talk of time, talk is fine, but I don't want to stay around
Everyone can talk about time and how it passes, but I don't want to waste any more of it here

Why can't we pantomime, just close our eyes, and sleep sweet dreams, me and you with wings on our feet
Let us pretend for a moment that we have wings and can fly away, and just rest and dream together

I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons, I'm keeping flowers in full bloom, I'm looking for answers from the great beyond
I am pushing myself beyond my limits, trying to achieve the impossible, and searching for answers beyond the reach of the mortal world

I want the hummingbirds, the dancing bears, sweetest dreams of you, I look into the stars, I look into the moon
I desire the beauty of nature and the sweetest dreams of being with you, and I search the skies for any answers or signs

I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons, I'm keeping flowers in full bloom, I'm looking for answers from the great beyond
Once again, I am pushing myself beyond my limits, trying to achieve the impossible, and searching for answers beyond the reach of the mortal world

I'm looking for answers from the great beyond, answers from the great, answers
I seek answers and wisdom from the unknown and unattainable, even if they may be beyond my understanding or reach

I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons, I'm keeping flowers in full bloom, I'm looking for answers from the great beyond
Continuing to defy my own limitations and seeking answers beyond my mortal reach

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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