In 1998, the band Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Carlos Santana, José "Chepito" Areas, David Brown, Gregg Rolie, Mike Carabello, and Michael Shrieve The band has earned nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, the latter all in 2000. Carlos Santana won a Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1988. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling groups of all time. In 2013, Santana announced a reunion of the classic line-up for a new album, Santana IV, which was released in April 2016. They are tied for having the most won Grammy Awards in one night.
Shades of Time
Santana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or is it some time that you need
All of the things that you've done
I'm certain that you had your fun
Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better
Somebody calls in the night
Says he can make things go right
I know there'll soon come a day
Things will start falling your way
Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better
I'll try to help if I can
So don't hide your head in the sand, oh no
Why are you feeling so low
You're wondering where will you go
Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better
The lyrics to "Shades of Time" by Santana seem to suggest a conversation between two people, one who needs support and the other who offers guidance. The lyrics make use of rhetorical questions and reflective statements that call for a response from the listener. The opening lines, "Tell me the things that you see / Or is it some time that you need," could be interpreted as an invitation to the listener to reflect on the things they have seen or experienced that have left them feeling down or uncertain. The next line, "All of the things that you've done / I'm certain that you had your fun," could possibly mean that the other person has lived their life in a way that may have caused some trouble or difficulties for them.
The following verse, "Go out and make it better / You can make it if you try / Try to make it better," is an encouragement for the listener to keep moving forward and to not give up on their goals or dreams. The chorus, "Somebody calls in the night / Says he can make things go right / I know there'll soon come a day / Things will start falling your way," could mean that someone is offering to help or that the listener should not lose hope because things will get better with time. The next verse, "I'll try to help if I can / So don't hide your head in the sand, oh no / Why are you feeling so low / You're wondering where will you go," could indicate that the singer is offering their support and reminding the listener not to be afraid to ask for help.
Overall, "Shades of Time" is a song that encourages perseverance in the face of adversity and the importance of support from others during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me the things that you see
The singer is asking the listener to describe things they have seen.
Or is it some time that you need
Alternatively, the singer asks if the listener is in need of some time to think.
All of the things that you've done
The singer believes the listener has done many things in their life.
I'm certain that you had your fun
The artist thinks the listener has enjoyed themselves while doing these things.
Go out and make it better
The artist encourages the listener to improve their current situation.
You can make it if you try
The singer believes the listener has the potential to improve their situation.
Try to make it better
The singer repeats their encouragement for the listener to improve their current situation.
Somebody calls in the night
The artist refers to an unknown person who contacts the listener at night.
Says he can make things go right
The unknown person says they can help the listener improve their situation.
I know there'll soon come a day
The artist is optimistic and believes things will improve for the listener.
Things will start falling your way
The singer believes events will occur that will be advantageous for the listener.
I'll try to help if I can
The artist offers to help the listener if possible.
So don't hide your head in the sand, oh no
The singer encourages the listener to be proactive and not ignore their problems.
Why are you feeling so low
The singer is questioning why the listener is feeling down.
You're wondering where will you go
The singer believes the listener is uncertain about their future direction or path.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Carlos Santana, Gregg Rolie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Melanie Coleman
Tell me the things that you see
Or is it some time that you need
All of the things that you've done
I'm certain that you had your fun
Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better
Somebody calls in the night
Says he can make things go right
I know there'll soon come a day
Things will start falling your way
Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better
I'll try to help if I can
So don't hide your head in the sand, oh no
Why are you feeling so low
You're wondering where will you go
Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better
Songwriters: Carlos Santana / Gregg Rolie
☆☆☆
Gamers against Lean Alberta 2007
One of the best songs they ever recorded,they have a lot of amazing content on this album too but this one and Soul Sacrifice are always what stuck.
Magnifico35
This is possibly Santana's most underrated musical piece IMO.
aldair martinez
It definitely is
Gefelderter Grüntäubling
But one of the best!
Jose Olivares
esta es la verdadera banda de santana de todos los tiempos ,sonido original con la voz inconfundible de greg junto al teclado y gracias por estar activos en la actualidad cada uno en sus proyectos ,desde punta arenas chile un gran saludo a los que saben de buena musica
dlanodrelda
Talking about a band hitting the ground running, Santana hit the ground at world class sprint speed. Been saying this for 42 years. Anyone agree?
Tim P
Considering they played Woodstock before the first album was even released, I’d say yeah, I agree!
Scott Gibson
One of my favorite artists. This lineup was the best. Greg added a lot.
Elizabeth Ordanza
Me
Atlantean Caveman
55 years now!