Landing their first record deal with Twin/Tone in 1984, Soul Asylum recorded a total of four albums for the local label: Say What You Will... Everything Can Happen in 1984 (later reissued as Say What You Will, Clarence... Karl Sold the Truck), Made To Be Broken in 1986, While You Were Out in 1986, and the EP Clam Dip and Other Delights in 1988. The band then switched to A&M, releasing Hang Time in 1988 and And the Horse They Rode In On in 1990 under that label. Although they enjoyed some success as a live band, Soul Asylum suffered from low album sales and considered disbanding.
In 1992, they signed with Columbia Records to produce Grave Dancers Union, a record that would come to transform them from underground college rockers to international superstars. The first two singles off the album, Somebody To Shove and Black Gold, both came in at high positions at the Modern Rock and Album Rock charts, but it was the album's third track and it's video of missing teens that led them to their major breakthrough. Runaway Train peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, raised album sales to double-platinum level, and won Soul Asylum the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1994.
In 1995, Soul Asylum followed up the success of Grave Dancers Union with Let Your Dim Light Shine, which climbed to #6 on the Billboard 200 and featured the #1 Modern Rock track Misery. After releasing Candy From A Stranger in 1998, the band members took a break from recording and didn't release a new studio album for the better part of seven years. During the interim singer Dave Pirner released a solo album and Dan Murphy toured and recorded with Golden Smog.
They reunited in 2004 to record their ninth full-length album, The Silver Lining, brought together by the news of Mueller being diagnosed with throat cancer. Up until this point, Soul Asylum had always included Murphy, Mueller, and Pirner, despite several line-up changes. This changed on June 17th, 2005, when Mueller passed away after finishing his work on several tracks on the new album. The Silver Lining was released in 2006 and dedicated to Karl Mueller's life and memory, with Murphy expressing that, "For me, this record is Karl."
In late 2005, ex-Replacements bassist (and current Guns N' Roses bassist) Tommy Stinson and former Prince drummer Michael Bland joined Soul Asylum in tribute to the late Karl Mueller. They completed their American tour in support of The Silver Lining in late 2006. In November and December 2006 they opened for Cheap Trick on their American tour. On March 10th, 2007, Soul Asylum joined Cyndi Lauper, Mint Condition, and Lifehouse to hold a concert to benefit Wain McFarlane, the leader of the legendary reggae band Ipso Facto, to help pay for the expenses of a kidney transplant.
http://www.soulasylum.com
Into The Light
Soul Asylum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You would never take your own advice
Skating on a grave that’s paved with rice
You step into the light
How can I be sure if this is a sure thing
I’m so tangled up in puppeteers’ strings
Once you’ve crossed the line
You’re stepping into
Breaking horses, raising cain, heading for the hills
The best day ever just got better, it gets better still
Once you’ve crossed the line You can’t let go
Never go out, I have been alone
Skating on a grave that’s made of stone
You step into the light
You better be sure that this is a sure thing
As a puppet on a string
Once you’ve crossed the line
You’re stepping into
Breaking horses, raising cain, heading for the hills
The best day ever just got better, it gets better still
Once you’ve crossed the line, you can’t think twice
You’re looking out of
Chasing sirens, red lights change
No time left to kill
Waving flags of fine drawn lines
Find a cheaper thrill
This is a sure thing
Once you’ve crossed the line
You step into the light
You step into the light
Breaking horses, raising cain heading for the hills
The best day ever just got better, it gets better still
Waving flags of macho life (much of your life)
Find a cheaper plan
The lyrics of "Into The Light" by Soul Asylum reflect on the consequences of making decisions and crossing lines. The song opens with the idea that once you've made a decision, you can't reconsider it, and sometimes it's hard to take your own advice. The image of "skating on a grave that's paved with rice" is a poignant reminder that life is fragile, and every decision and step we take could affect us and others around us. The chorus talks about how once you've crossed that line, you can't turn back, and you have to step into the light.
As the song progresses, it talks about how we can never be sure if a decision we made is the right one. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and like you have no control over your life, as if you're a puppet on a string. But once you've made that decision, you have to stick with it and face the consequences. The verses about breaking horses and heading for the hills are metaphors for taking on challenges and seeking thrills.
The last lines of the chorus say that even when things seem to be going well, we can always find a cheaper thrill or plan. It's a reminder that life isn't always about chasing the biggest and grandest dreams but about finding happiness in the small moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Once you’ve drawn the line, you can’t think twice
When you make a decision, you have to stick with it.
You would never take your own advice
You often give advice to others, but do not follow it yourself.
Skating on a grave that’s paved with rice
You are taking risks and tempting fate, even when the outcome is uncertain.
You step into the light
You are taking the necessary steps towards making a change and facing the truth.
How can I be sure if this is a sure thing
You are unsure about the outcome of the decision you need to make.
I’m so tangled up in puppeteers’ strings
You feel like you are not in control of your life and are being manipulated by others.
Once you’ve crossed the line
Once you make a decision, you have to live with the consequences.
Breaking horses, raising cain, heading for the hills
You are going through a difficult time and are trying to escape from it.
The best day ever just got better, it gets better still
Things are starting to improve, even if slowly and gradually.
You can’t let go
You have to accept the consequences of your actions and take responsibility for them.
Never go out, I have been alone
You feel isolated and alone due to the decisions you have made.
Skating on a grave that’s made of stone
You are taking unnecessary risks and tempting fate, even when the outcome is certain.
You better be sure that this is a sure thing
You need to be confident in the decisions you make and trust in your own judgment.
As a puppet on a string
You feel like you are being controlled and manipulated by others.
Breaking horses, raising cain, heading for the hills
You are trying to escape from your problems and the past that haunts you.
You’re looking out of
You are trying to find a way out of your current situation and make a change for the better.
Chasing sirens, red lights change
You are seeking excitement and thrills, even if it means taking risks and breaking the law.
No time left to kill
You feel like time is running out and there is no room for mistakes or delays.
Waving flags of fine drawn lines
You are trying to assert yourself and define who you are, even when it means standing out from the crowd.
Find a cheaper thrill
You are looking for ways to feel alive and take risks, even if it means sacrificing your safety and well-being.
This is a sure thing
You believe in the decision you have made and are confident about its outcome.
You step into the light
You are facing your fears and stepping out of your comfort zone, in order to achieve your goals and find happiness.
Waving flags of macho life (much of your life)
You are trying to assert your strength and masculinity, even when it means sacrificing your emotional well-being and relationships.
Find a cheaper plan
You are looking for easier and less challenging ways to achieve your goals, even if it means sacrificing quality and integrity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID PIRNER, DAVID ANTHONY PIRNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jessica Kraml
Love these guys. See them around town all the time, still down to earth Minneapoltains.
Juhani Palomäki
They were very well known back in the 90's. They had hits like "Runaway Train" and "Misery".
edwinmusic
SOUL ASYLUM FOREVER!
Gary Lee
Love manipulates matter, We All matter. Learn Love Forever. Try this, If you Love Me you will keep My Commandments, If you do, I will Pray to The Father that you may have The Spirit for a Teacher and Comforter Forever. The Spirit will bring All of My words to your mind. John, chapter 14 verse 26. Immanuel God with us. The best way to prepare for the future is to stand in The Latter Rain, and become body, Soul, and Spirit, not blind, but taught by Gods Spirit.
Alex Anderson
July 17th 2012 was the release date. I was at the record release parties.
Mauro de Lima
Sorry! I had not perceived yet, but now I corrected. Thanks!