Near its inception, Sleeping At Last's amateur debut album, Capture, was noticed by Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who helped expose the music to the major-label world. Soon after, the band signed to Interscope Records and released 2003's Ghosts , their first official full-length album. Two independently-released full-length records followed: 2006's Keep No Score and 2009's Storyboards . In between the writing and recording of albums, the band has established a reputation for a pitch-perfect live show, successfully headlining several U.S. tours and sharing the stage with such artists as Switchfoot, Yellowcard, Something Corporate, Billy Corgan's Zwan, Alanis Morrisette, Lifehouse, and Phantom Planet, just to name a few. The creative process has always been protected, as the band self-produced each record, working with respected mixers such as John Goodmanson and Alan Moulder.
After the departure of drummer Chad O'Neal in 2011, the remaining duo embarked on the ambitious Yearbook project, in which O'Neal and Perdue released three songs on the first of every month in individual EPs. After its completion, all EPs were compiled into an LP and published independently. However, upon the final release of the Yearbook series, Perdue stepped down from the duo, leaving Ryan O'Neal a solo artist under the group's pre-existing moniker.
On December 10, 2012, O'Neal announced his largest project to date: the Atlas series, a three-part project approaching the themes of the origins of the universe and human development. Similar to 2011's Yearbook compilation, each set of new songs would be released as individual EPs until each part's completion, at which time the compilation of songs would be released as an LP. Up to now, 2014's Atlas I and 2019's Atlas II remain as stellar examples of O'Neal's accomplishments as a solo independent artist. Production on Atlas III is in progress, and its first two songs, "Overture III" and "Awake" have been released as singles.
Besides the Atlas series, O'Neal has kept busy with other projects, including three albums of covers commissioned by ABC's "Grey's Anatomy", in which Sleeping At Last has appeared a whopping 77 times. Sleeping At Last also produced the scores for the documentaries Many Beautiful Things (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) and charity:water's The Spring (Original Score). Finally, O'Neal has released multiple singles surrounding significant astronomical events, published as a compilation in 2020 under the title of Astronomy, Vol. 1.
Sleeping At Last has long been a beacon shining brightly on behalf of independent artists. In the ever-changing climate of the music industry, the quest for a successful independent career seems evermore difficult to attain. From his new home in L.A., O'Neal pursues this challenge relentlessly through his commitment to musical integrity in his songwriting, and in this way nurtures a unique and personal relationship with his listeners. He has remained true to the things that brought him to music in the first place: his love of melody and the power of words. His music and lyrics emerge from a place that is honest, raw, and spiritual: Says Ryan, "Our faith is a big part of who we are, but we have always intended our music to be for anyone that cares to listen, no matter who they are or what they believe in. Everyone hears a song in a different light."
In keeping with this, Ryan's lyrics ask every important question that occurs. While he promises no fast, sure answers, he somehow always offers hope as the consistent, overarching theme.
Taste
Sleeping At Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am aware of what light tastes like
The curtains drawn, the table's set
I wanna be, I wanna be, at my best
It's bittersweet, it's poetry
Careful pruning of my dead leaves
It's holy ground, a treasure chest
Like fists unraveling, like glass unshattering
Breaking all the rules, breaking bread again
Swallowing light, 'til we're fixed from the inside
Out of the woods, out of the dark
I'm well aware of the shadows in my heart
I wanna feel, tectonic shifts
I wanna be, I wanna be, astonished
I wanna be astonished
So I propose a toast
To fists unraveling, to glass unshattering
To breaking all the rules, to breaking bread again
We're swallowing light, we're swallowing our pride
We're raising our glass, 'til we're fixed from the inside
'Til we're fixed from the inside
We're nothing less than a work in progress
Sacred text on Post-It notes
We only speak of a world in pieces
Let's make a map of what matters most
Where every fracture is a running river
Leading us back to our golden coast
Here's to showing light
To fists unraveling, to glass unshattering
To breaking all the rules, to breaking bread again
We're swallowing light, we're swallowing our pride
We're raising our glass, 'til we're fixed from the inside
'Til we're fixed from the inside
The song “Taste” by Sleeping At Last is a deeply introspective piece with lyrics that speak of awareness, reflection, and personal growth. The song begins with the lines “I am alive, I am awake, I am aware of what light tastes like,” which sets the tone for the introspective journey that the song’s narrator is on. The theme of being aware of one’s current state and striving to be at one’s best is prevalent throughout the song with the lines “I wanna be, I wanna be, at my best” and “I wanna feel, tectonic shifts, I wanna be, I wanna be, astonished.”
Throughout the song, there is a sense of humility and reverence for the journey of personal growth. The lines “It’s holy ground, a treasure chest, I’m on my knees and only scratch the surface” speak to the idea that the journey towards personal growth is both incredibly important and never-ending. The idea of progress is also emphasized with the lines “We’re nothing less than a work in progress” and “Where every fracture is a running river, leading us back to our golden coast.”
Ultimately, the song ends with a toast to progress, growth, and community. The line “We’re raising our glass, ‘til we’re fixed from the inside” speaks to the power of shared growth and the idea that fixing oneself from the inside out can be a collective effort.
Line by Line Meaning
I am alive, I am awake
I am conscious and present in this moment.
I am aware of what light tastes like
I have a deep appreciation for the beauty and goodness in the world.
The curtains drawn, the table's set
I am ready to face the challenges and joys of life.
I wanna be, I wanna be, at my best
I aspire to be the best version of myself that I can be.
It's bittersweet, it's poetry
Life is a mixture of pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, and it can be beautiful like a poem.
Careful pruning of my dead leaves
I am letting go of the negative aspects of myself and becoming a better person.
It's holy ground, a treasure chest
Life is precious and sacred and full of hidden treasures.
I'm on my knees and only scratch the surface
I humbly acknowledge that there is so much more to life than what I currently understand or experience.
Like fists unraveling, like glass unshattering
Breaking free from old patterns and habits and allowing myself to be transformed.
Breaking all the rules, breaking bread again
Challenging conventional wisdom and coming together with others to support each other.
Swallowing light, 'til we're fixed from the inside
Taking in the goodness and truth of the world, and becoming more whole, healed, and complete as a result.
Out of the woods, out of the dark
Emerging from a difficult or challenging time in my life, and moving towards a brighter future.
I'm well aware of the shadows in my heart
I know that I am not perfect, and I am working to overcome my flaws and weaknesses.
I wanna feel, tectonic shifts
I want to experience dramatic, life-changing transformations.
I wanna be, I wanna be, astonished
I want to be amazed and inspired by the wonder and beauty of the world.
So I propose a toast
Let's celebrate the good things in life.
We're nothing less than a work in progress
We are constantly growing and learning, and can always improve ourselves.
Sacred text on Post-It notes
The important things in life are often simple and easy to overlook.
We only speak of a world in pieces
We often focus on the negatives and forget to see the beauty and goodness around us.
Let's make a map of what matters most
Let's focus on what is truly important and valuable in life.
Where every fracture is a running river
Our flaws and struggles can be opportunities for growth and transformation.
Leading us back to our golden coast
These challenges can guide us towards a better life and a more fulfilling future.
Here's to showing light
Let's be a positive force in the world and bring light and goodness to those around us.
We're raising our glass, 'til we're fixed from the inside
Let's celebrate our progress and continue to strive towards becoming the best version of ourselves.
Writer(s): Ryan O'neal
Contributed by Alexis L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cruel Ruel
I am alive, I am awake
I am aware of what light tastes like
The curtains drawn, the table's set
I wanna be, I wanna be at my best
It's bittersweet, it's poetry
A careful pruning of my dead leaves
It's holy ground, a treasure chest
I'm on my knees and only scratch the surface
Like fists unraveling
Like glass unshattering
We're breaking all the rules
We're breaking bread again
We're swallowing light
'Til we're fixed from the inside
Out of the woods, out of the dark
I'm well aware of the shadows in my heart
I wanna feel tectonic shifts
I wanna be, I wanna be astonished
I wanna be astonished
So I propose a toast
To fists unraveling
To glass unshattering
To breaking all the rules
To breaking bread again
We're swallowing light
And we're swallowing our pride
We're raising our glass
'Til we're fixed from the inside
'Til we're fixed from the inside
We're nothing less than a work in progress
Sacred text on Post-It notes
We only speak of a world in pieces
Let's make a map of what matters most
Where every fracture is a running river
Leading us back to our golden coasts
Here's to showing up
To fists unraveling
To glass unshattering
To breaking all the rules
To breaking bread again
We're swallowing light
And we're swallowing our pride
We're raising our glass
'Til we're fixed from the inside
'Til we're fixed from the inside
Aśka Kuboń
i've been trying to share this piece of art with so many friends, no one seems to get so hyped, like me! Whyyy oh why, so much goodness!
Esha Kohli
Asia Kozela samee
Jess C
J K you need friends like me.
MissParadoxa
I can relate!! His music is everything.
no talent
Hit me up bro
Xennie
For mine i don't share it with my friends or family because i know that they won't understand it
lady lalazarus
Sleeping At Last - transports me to poetic heaven and makes me feel things more deeply, always. I fell in love with SAL after hearing Turning Page when I was just a wide-eyed 14-year-old girl. Turning Page is one of the purest song I know, and I always come back to it. (I can't believe it's almost 6 years!) It's been a part of some special moments in my life, and I promise that IF I ever get married, that song will be played on my wedding day. 💗😊 I'm so happy to hear new music!
wuxian
omg u must be 25 now!
wuxian
did u get married yet? :D
G-Han Bax
Call me selfish but I don't share SAL with anyone except those I trust most who can surely appreciate his music and not just treat him as "that guy who sang this". I don't want him to be mediocre, being mediocre in the music industry may make his songs lose their feels and aura of uniqueness and mysteriousness in the music world.