Their signature style is dreamy slow songs, with beautiful melodies.
The original band, including Mike Bitts (bass), and Steve Brown (drums), was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 80s when the members met during a Catholic school production of Godspell. Although all members of the band have contributed musically, Karen Peris does most of the group's writing.
Their eponymous debut album, released in 1989 (A&M Records), was produced by Larry Klein, then-husband of Joni Mitchell, and recorded in the couple’s basement recording studio. The album peaked on the Billboard charts at #167 in 1990, and the album’s second track, "Black Sheep Wall", released as a single in 1989, peaked at #22 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks. The album’s fifth track, "Clear to You", was used on the soundtrack of the pilot episode of Beverly Hills 90210. Klein also produced their 1991 follow up, Umbrella.
Their third and final A&M album, Glow, released in 1995 (A&M Records), Was produced by Dennis Herring, who had previously produced two records for Camper Van Beethoven. This album is a departure from Klein's heavier production style. Whereas the first two releases may have brought to mind The Sundays and The Cocteau Twins with their moody keyboards, Herring's lighter touch gave more emphasis to the group's guitar work and to Karen's vocals and lyrics.
Glow contains songs that appear on the soundtracks of the films Empire Records, and Dream for an Insomniac, as well as the television series Party of Five. The album’s second track, Bright as Yellow, peaked on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks at #33.
In 1999 the band recorded for a new label, Badman. Additionally, drummer Steve Brown left the band to pursue a career as a chef. On the subsequent album, Birds of My Neighborhood, Brown played drums and brushes on "Snow," but otherwise the group became a trio. Now bereft of drums, their sound took an even more acoustic direction. Some songs featured just Don and Karen, and a few, such as "She May Turn Around," featured only Karen's voice and instrumentation.
The 2000 release of Christ is My Hope, featuring religious music that had inspired them over the years, was independently released on their own website. Small Planes, released in 2001, featured outtakes from Glow and Birds of My Neighborhood. 2003's Befriended was their next "regular" album.
In 2004, the Innocence Mission released Now the Day is Over, a collection of lullabies. Except for "My Love Goes With You," all songs are cover versions, such as a stripped-down vocal and piano rendition of Henry Mancini's Moon River,
The Innocence Mission's new album We Walked in Song was released March 13, 2007.
Stay Awake
The Innocence Mission Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
don't lie down upon your bed
while the moon drifts in the skies
stay awake, don't close your eyes
though the world is fast asleep
though your pillow's soft and deep
you're not sleepy as you seem
stay awake, don't nod and dream
The lyrics to The Innocence Mission's song Stay Awake reveal a sense of urgency, encouraging the listener to resist the temptation of sleep and stay alert, as though danger or something important is imminent. The first stanza implores the listener to resist lying down on their bed and to keep their eyes open, even as the moon is drifting in the sky. The second stanza acknowledges the peaceful and cozy state of the world at night, and yet the urging to stay awake persists, as if something important is being missed by falling asleep. The final line repeats the refrain, emphasizing the importance of not nodding off into dreamland.
The song may be interpreted in different ways, but the general feeling is that the singer is urging the listener to stay awake and engaged with life. It could be a metaphor for staying alert and not becoming complacent, or perhaps for refusing to surrender to apathy or despair. The soothing melody and Karen Peris' gentle voice add to the sense of comfort and need for vigilance, creating a memorable and poignant song that resonates with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
stay awake, don't rest your head
Stay alert and don't let your guard down.
don't lie down upon your bed
Avoid the comfort of idle rest.
while the moon drifts in the skies
Even though the night sky is peaceful.
stay awake, don't close your eyes
Stay alert and don't let your guard down.
though the world is fast asleep
Despite the fact that everyone around you is sleeping.
though your pillow's soft and deep
Despite the comfort that your bed provides.
you're not sleepy as you seem
Although you may appear to be tired.
stay awake, don't nod and dream
Stay alert and don't let your guard down.
stay awake, don't nod and dream
Stay alert and don't let your guard down.
Writer(s): Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman Copyright: Wonderland Music Co. Inc.
Contributed by Austin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.