Lost in the Crowd
Shinedown. Lyrics

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Should I offer up my hand
And save a wish for once
For all of us
And should I offer up my hand
And lay the guilt on myself
So it's easier to not stay
To not stay

[Chorus:]
Because I found you in your corner
I pulled you out of the clouds
You left in such a hurry
Your face is lost in the crowd

Should I open up my eye's or just ignore who you are
And what you could have been
And should I open up my eye's and make believe you will change
So it's easier to not stay, to not stay

[Chorus]

Your face is lost in the crowd
Your face is lost in the crowd

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Shinedown's song "Lost in the Crowd" talk about the internal struggle of whether to offer help to someone who needs it or to turn a blind eye and pretend everything is okay. The singer is questioning whether they should lend a hand and save a wish for everyone, including themselves or lay the guilt of not helping on themselves, making it easier to walk away. The chorus talks about finding someone in a corner and rescuing them from the clouds, where they left in a hurry, leaving their face lost in the crowd. The second verse adds to the internal debate, wondering whether to open up eyes to reality and not ignore the person's true nature or to make-believe they will change, continuing the cycle of pretending.

The use of metaphors and imagery is well done in this poignant song. The person is stuck in the clouds, lost in a crowd, wandering aimlessly, without anyone caring to notice them. It's a cautionary tale about how we should treat people who may come across as could-have-beens, for they too are functioning members of society who need help. The song can be interpreted in many different ways, including the struggle of addiction, mental illness, and self-doubt. "Lost in the Crowd" can help individuals appreciate the complexities of the human condition and to encourage them to lend a helping hand.

Line by Line Meaning

Should I offer up my hand
Should I extend help to someone in need

And save a wish for once
And make a selfless wish that benefits everyone

For all of us
For the greater good

And lay the guilt on myself
And take responsibility for my role in the situation

So it's easier to not stay
To avoid a difficult decision to stay or leave

Because I found you in your corner
Because I came to your rescue when you were in a vulnerable state

I pulled you out of the clouds
I helped you see the truth and face reality

You left in such a hurry
You were quick to give up and run away

Should I open up my eye's or just ignore who you are
Should I see you for who you really are or choose to ignore it

And what you could have been
And acknowledge your potential

And make believe you will change
And pretend that you'll transform for the better