Smell The Color 9
Rice Chris Lyrics
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Just to know I heard You speak
And I'm wonderin' why I've never
Seen the signs they claim they see
Are the special revelations
Meant for everybody but me?
Maybe I don't truly know You
[Chorus]
'Cause I can sniff, I can see
I can count up pretty high
But these faculties aren't getting me
Any closer to the sky
But my heart of faith keeps poundin'
So I know I'm doin' fine
But sometimes finding You
Is just like trying to Smell the color nine
Now I've never "felt the presence"
But I know You're always near
And I've never "heard the calling"
But somehow You've lead me right here
So I'm not looking for burning bushes
Or some divine graffiti to appear
I'm just beggin' You for some wisdom
And believing You're puttin' some here
[Chorus]
Smell the color nine? But nine's not a color
And even if it were you can't smell a color
That's my point exactly...
The lyrics of Rice Chris's song Smell The Color 9 talk about seeking divine guidance and questioning one's faith amidst a lack of concrete, tangible signs from a higher power. The opening lines imply that the singer would accept rejection if it meant they heard God's voice. Despite feeling left out of the special revelations that others claim to have experienced, the singer still believes in the existence of a higher power. The chorus compares the singer's senses to faith, suggesting that although their senses may not bring them closer to heaven or help them find a divine path, their heart of faith keeps them grounded. The final lines about smelling the color nine convey the idea that some aspects of faith are impossible to grasp and understand.
The song's message of feeling disconnected from one's faith despite belief is relatable to many people. The lyrics encourage listeners to have faith in the unseen or unknown, rather than just relying on tangible, empirical evidence. Furthermore, the metaphor of "smelling the color nine" is an excellent representation of the idea that having faith or believing in something without objective proof is difficult, if not impossible.
Line by Line Meaning
I would take "no" for an answer
I am willing to accept rejection just to hear you say something to me.
Just to know I heard You speak
I want to confirm that I have heard you directly.
And I'm wonderin' why I've never
I am questioning why I have not seen or heard signs of your presence.
Seen the signs they claim they see
I have not seen the same signs of your presence that others claim to have seen.
Are the special revelations
Is it possible that the divine signs are intended only for certain people?
Meant for everybody but me?
Am I the only one excluded from receiving them?
Maybe I don't truly know You
Perhaps I do not have a genuine understanding of you.
Or maybe I just simply believe
It could be that I only believe but do not have knowledge or experience.
'Cause I can sniff, I can see
Although I have senses like smell and sight,
I can count up pretty high
And I can also count up high numbers,
But these faculties aren't getting me
Using these senses has not helped me to experience your presence.
Any closer to the sky
They are not bringing me any closer to heaven or a spiritual experience.
But my heart of faith keeps poundin'
Nevertheless, my faith keeps me going.
So I know I'm doin' fine
I am confident that I am doing well despite lack of direct experience.
But sometimes finding You
However, there are times when it seems impossible to find you.
Is just like trying to Smell the color nine
It is like attempting to use the sense of smell to detect a non-existent color.
Now I've never "felt the presence"
I have not personally experienced your presence with my senses.
But I know You're always near
However, I know that you are always close to me.
And I've never "heard the calling"
I have never received a divine message or call to action.
But somehow You've lead me right here
Despite this, I feel as though you have guided me to my current point.
So I'm not looking for burning bushes
I am not expecting grand or miraculous signs of your presence.
Or some divine graffiti to appear
I do not expect you to communicate to me through unexpected means.
I'm just beggin' You for some wisdom
All I am asking for is a greater understanding and insight from you.
And believing You're puttin' some here
I have faith that you are providing me with the wisdom I need.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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