High Hopes
Worldview is fronted by Oliver Shaw, an Oxford-based songwriter, performer … Read Full Bio ↴Worldview is fronted by Oliver Shaw, an Oxford-based songwriter, performer and producer. Worldview aims to fuse the sounds of rock, pop and dance music with insightful lyrics reminiscent of Elvis Costello or Morrissey and the melodic sensibility of the classic 60’s acts. Oliver began playing in bands, including one with Coldplay’s bassist-to-be, then spent several years honing a one-man band approach in his studio, writing, singing, recording and playing everything in the manner of Stevie Wonder, early Prince or World Party. He self-released a debut album, the relationship-themed “War Years”, in late 2002, culled from home sessions. It enjoyed some airplay and praise for the “timeless quality” of the songwriting. A second set, “Paying For It”, followed in January 2005, with a more diverse stylistic palette and topics ranging from celebrity and consumerism to the Iraq conflict. The Oxfordbands.com website judged it “chock full of good tunes, clever lyrics and…united by a consistent, if rather misanthropic, musical vision”. As well as gaining FM and online radio exposure his tracks were featured on various unsigned compilation CDs. He appeared many times at major Oxford venues with a backing band from the ranks of other fledging local acts, and played some solo acoustic sets at London venues. Oliver then put together a new gigging line-up of Worldview, combining live instruments and PC, playing dates in Oxford and London, and an album, “Our Condition”, is available at the iTunes store. “Worldview's aptly titled "Our Condition" takes a snapshot view of modern living, with its raw honest exploration of life today...It's a strong offering with music that combines the ballads of REM with the dance beats of Duran Duran" - Oxfordshire Music Scene. The Credit Crunch is the subject of download single, “Party’s Over”, which along with other Worldview tracks is a staple of Internet radio stations. It features on the new Worldview album "Schoolboy Errors", released in February 2012.

High Hopes
Worldview Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I didn′t give up on the road to love
But that road is long and that road is rough
So you seek a diversion from all that work
And I can't get back now
I strayed off into a shady resort
Where perfect formulas quench your thirst
They fix you up in the simplest terms
And I can′t get back now

And I saw things that you're not meant to see
Sights and scenes better left to your dreams

And on the way my standards are rising
I'm less prepared to compromise them
And every day brings wider horizons
So how′m I gonna get on the straight and narrow?
How′m I gonna get on to you?

And even if I could it may be too late
Cos I hear that love runs on give and take
That's a deal to which I would not relate
No I can′t do that now
Cos I'm used to playing the waited-on guest
Youth and beauty granting my every request

Yeah on the way my standards are rising
I′m less prepared to compromise them
And everyday brings wider horizons
So how'm I gonna settle for what′s on offer?
How'm I gonna settle for you?

Now I want things that we're not meant to see
Sights and scenes better left to our dreams

And all the way my standards are rising
I′m not prepared to compromise them
And should I ever finally arrive there
Then how′m I gonna settle for what's on offer?
How′m I gonna settle for you?




Yeah how'm I gonna settle for something proper?
How′m I gonna settle for you?

Overall Meaning

The song "High Hopes" by Worldview is about the struggle to find love and maintain a healthy relationship. The lyrics suggest that the journey towards love is long and difficult, and sometimes people may get sidetracked along the way. The singer in the song describes how they have strayed off the path into a "shady resort" where there are perfect formulas to quench their thirst. They have seen things that they should not have seen and had experiences that are better left to their dreams.


Despite the detours, the singer's standards continue to rise, and they become less willing to compromise. They are searching for something more profound and meaningful and are no longer willing to settle for anything less. The lyrics suggest that finding true love requires giving and taking, but the singer is not willing to settle for a relationship that is not based on mutual love and respect. The song asks the question of how one can get back on the straight and narrow, finding the right path towards true love.


Overall, "High Hopes" is about the struggle to find love and the journey towards healthy relationships. It's a relatable song that speaks to the difficulties of love and the standards that we all set for ourselves.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I didn't give up on the road to love
I haven't given up on finding love


But that road is long and that road is rough
Finding love is a difficult and challenging journey


So you seek a diversion from all that work
Sometimes you need a distraction from the effort required to find love


And I can't get back now
But I've gone too far to turn back now


I strayed off into a shady resort
I got sidetracked by something tempting and dubious


Where perfect formulas quench your thirst
I found a place where things seem easy and ideal


They fix you up in the simplest terms
They provide a quick and easy solution to your needs


And I can′t get back now
But now I'm too invested to go back to my original path


And I saw things that you're not meant to see
I experienced things that are not socially acceptable or morally right


Sights and scenes better left to your dreams
Things that are better left to the imagination and fantasies


And on the way my standards are rising
As I explore more and encounter new things, my expectations are getting higher


I'm less prepared to compromise them
I'm not willing to settle for things that don't meet my standards


And every day brings wider horizons
Each day presents new possibilities and opportunities


So how′m I gonna get on the straight and narrow?
How can I stay focused on my original path?


How′m I gonna get on to you?
How can I reach the goal of finding love?


And even if I could it may be too late
Even if I could go back to the original path, it may be too late to find love


Cos I hear that love runs on give and take
Because I understand that love requires compromise and mutual effort


That's a deal to which I would not relate
That's an agreement that I don't want to make


No I can′t do that now
I'm not willing to make that kind of compromise


Cos I'm used to playing the waited-on guest
I'm accustomed to being the center of attention and having my needs met


Youth and beauty granting my every request
My attractiveness and charm have allowed me to get what I want easily


Yeah on the way my standards are rising
As I continue on my journey, my expectations are increasing


I′m less prepared to compromise them
I'm not willing to settle for less than what I want


And everyday brings wider horizons
Each day presents new opportunities and possibilities


So how'm I gonna settle for what's on offer?
How can I accept something that doesn't fulfill my expectations?


How′m I gonna settle for you?
How can I choose you when there are so many other possibilities?


Now I want things that we're not meant to see
Now I desire experiences and things that are considered taboo


Sights and scenes better left to our dreams
Things that are better kept as fantasies and imagination


And all the way my standards are rising
Throughout my journey, my expectations keep getting higher


I'm not prepared to compromise them
I refuse to settle for less than what I want


And should I ever finally arrive there
If I do eventually find what I'm looking for


Then how′m I gonna settle for what's on offer?
How can I accept anything less than my ideal?


How′m I gonna settle for you?
How can I choose you over all the other possibilities?


Yeah how'm I gonna settle for something proper?
How can I be content with something ordinary and conventional?


How′m I gonna settle for you?
How can I choose you when there are so many other possibilities?




Contributed by Evan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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