Open Your Eyes
Yes Lyrics
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You carry on in the same old way
No lessons learned from yesterday
Talk of changes lost in pages of paperwork
I believe it...
I've received it...
What could be our final destiny
I believe that...
Still we go on from day to day
Knowing what could be true
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Open your eyes and discover
You're not the only one
In disguise
Do you wonder
When the change is gonna come?
Open your eyes
You've got a great imagination
We cast the world, we set the stage
For what could be the darkest age
Short exchanges
From perfect strangers
We'll never know
But wish we knew
I believe it...
It's time to face reality
I've received it...
Questioning the powers that be
I believe it...
Are we too confused to see?
Wish I knew (wish I knew)
Wish I knew (wish I knew)
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Open your eyes and discover
You're not the only one
In disguise
Do you wonder
When the change is gonna come?
Open your eyes
You've got a great imagination
Open your eyes
Show it
Show it
Wish we knew
I believe it...
It's time to face reality
I've received it...
Things aren't what they used to be
I believe it...
What I see in you, you see in me
Wish I knew (wish I knew)
Wish I knew (wish I knew)
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Open your eyes and discover
You're not the only one
In disguise
Do you wonder
When the change is gonna come?
Change is gonna come
Change is gonna come
Change is gonna come
You've got a great imagination
Change is gonna come
Change is gonna come
Change is gonna come
You've got a sweet imagination
Change is gonna come
Open your eyes
Change is gonna come
Open your eyes
Change is gonna come
You've got a deep imagination coming
Change is gonna come
Change is gonna come
Show it
Show it
Show it
Show it
Show it
Show it
The lyrics of Yes's song "Open Your Eyes" talks about the need for people to open their eyes and see beyond what they believe and do the same old things every day without any change. The singer starts by praising the listener's imagination and later pointing out that they have not learned any lessons from yesterday. He talks about how discussions on change are lost in paperwork that never gets acted upon.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Open your eyes and discover/ You're not the only one" which stresses the importance of seeing other perspectives and understanding that there is more to the world than just oneself. The song's verses address various topics, including the human potential for evil, strangers communicating briefly but never truly knowing one another, and society's blind trust in authority figures.
The song's message is powerful, encouraging people to pay attention to the changes happening around them and be open to different viewpoints. It highlights the need for individuals to see beyond themselves, make their own decisions, and take responsibility for what happens next. Ultimately the lyrics promote the idea of unity and understanding among all people regardless of their background, race, or beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got a great imagination
Acknowledging the listener's skill of creating images in their mind
You carry on in the same old way
Implying that the listener is stuck in a routine
No lessons learned from yesterday
Suggesting that the listener has not learned from their past experiences
Talk of changes lost in pages of paperwork
Indicating that ideas are often not implemented because of bureaucracy
I believe it...
Expressing personal conviction
How can we refuse to see
Rhetorical question asking why people choose to ignore certain truths
I've received it...
Signaling that the singer has understood a message
What could be our final destiny
Asking what the ultimate fate of humanity could be
Still we go on from day to day
Noting that people continue to live their lives despite potential dangers
Knowing what could be true
Acknowledging that the listener is aware of certain possibilities
Wish I knew
Expressing a desire for more information
Open your eyes and discover
Commanding the listener to pay attention
You're not the only one
Assuring the listener that they are not alone in their thoughts
In disguise
Implying that things are not always as they seem
Do you wonder
Asking if the listener ever ponders certain things
When the change is gonna come?
Asking when positive transformation will occur
We cast the world, we set the stage
Indicating that humanity is responsible for shaping the world
For what could be the darkest age
Implying that the future could be full of trouble
Short exchanges
Referring to brief conversations
From perfect strangers
Noting that these conversations may happen with people that the listener does not know
We'll never know
Suggesting that people cannot fully understand the thoughts of others
But wish we knew
Acknowledging the desire for more knowledge
It's time to face reality
Implying that people need to confront the truth
Questioning the powers that be
Suggesting that people should challenge those in authority
Are we too confused to see?
Asking if people are too disoriented to notice certain things
Change is gonna come
Repeating the key theme of the song
You've got a sweet imagination
Complimenting the listener's creativity
You've got a deep imagination coming
Praising the listener's ability to form complex thoughts
Show it
Encouraging the listener to share their imaginative visions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Musicnotes, Inc.
Written by: Alan White, Chris Squire, John Anderson, Steve Howe, William Sherwood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind