I Shall Be Released
Wilco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet ev'ry distance is not near.
So I remember ev'ry face
Of ev'ry man who put me here.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
They say ev'ry man needs protection,
They say ev'ry man must fall.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
Is a man who swears he's not to blame.
All day long I hear him shout so loud,
Crying out that he was framed.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
The lyrics to Wilco's song "I Shall Be Released" are full of deep emotions and a sense of hopelessness that resonates with many people. The opening verse addresses the idea that everything can be replaced, but the emotional distance created by certain situations cannot be erased. The lyrical reference to "every distance is not near" effectively conveys the feeling of being trapped or isolated. The singer then goes on to say that they remember every face of every person who put them in this situation, hinting that this emotionally distant feeling was created by being wrongfully accused or imprisoned.
The chorus of the song provides a glimmer of hope for the singer, reminding themselves that their light will shine from the west to the east and that they will eventually be released. The lyrics provide a sense of longing for a better and brighter future and that the singer will not be stuck in this hopeless situation forever. The second verse follows a similar line of thinking, with the singer acknowledging that every man needs protection and sometimes people fall. Yet, the singer can still see their reflection above the wall which indicates that they will not be held down by their current situation forever. The final verse introduces a new character, a man who is standing next to the singer in a lonely crowd. The man proclaims his innocence and cries out that he was framed, further highlighting the sense of despair and hopelessness conveyed throughout the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
They say ev'rything can be replaced,
People believe that anything can be substituted, but not every gap can be filled.
Yet ev'ry distance is not near.
Although things can replace each other, it doesn't mean the distance between them is close.
So I remember ev'ry face
As a result, I recollect the countenance of each man who confined me in this place.
Of ev'ry man who put me here.
Specifically, the people who put me in this current situation.
I see my light come shining
I perceive my confidence and hope return.
From the west unto the east.
From one side to the other, all over the world.
Any day now, any day now,
Soon, in a matter of time.
I shall be released.
I will be set free from my captivity.
They say ev'ry man needs protection,
People say that everyone requires safety.
They say ev'ry man must fall.
People also believe everyone is destined to face defeat or failure.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Despite this, I am confident that I can recognize myself in the mirror.
Some place so high above this wall.
Somewhere far from the current obstacle that obstructs me.
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
By my side in this desolate group of people,
Is a man who swears he's not to blame.
Is a fellow that assures me he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
All day long I hear him shout so loud,
Throughout the day, he screams loudly, insisting he didn't do it.
Crying out that he was framed.
He cries that he has been falsely accused.
I see my light come shining
Again, I observe my hope and confidence return.
From the west unto the east.
My optimism extends throughout the world.
Any day now, any day now,
Soon, very soon.
I shall be released.
I will be free from this confinement.
Contributed by Alyssa J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.