Collective Soul’s new single-Exclusive!

Collective Soul courtesy Dean Roland

Collective Soul has been on Twitter for about two months – dropping gems in their followers laps – such things as twitpics of Ed’s lake cabin and their new album recording sessions, videos of rehearsals and snippets of new songs from the band’s upcoming 8th Studio album.

Tonight, they released their first single, in its entirety, available for fans to listen to. You can find it HERE

So what are my thoughts upon first listen? “I need to listen again.” And so I did. Technically, this song is a masterpiece. It’s the right length (not too long), has a good back beat and excellent bass line beneath the surface. The keyboards enhance the tune and bongos give it flair. The lyrics are catchy and upon second listen I can sing the chorus easily. It has a hook – I can easily picture fans at concerts swaying and singing along to this song, and I can see people hearing this on the radio and wondering – who? who’s singing this one – I have to hear it again!

But there is more to any song for me than technical merit – how does the song make me feel?

It’s an amazing song. Singer Ed Roland opens the song speaking about how his pride kept him from seeing things in life. Quite the opening statement and the rest of the song follows suit. How he hasnt been able to see what’s in front of him until now, and one would think from the lyrics that Roland has had an epiphane of some sort. The lyrics fit so well with the melody that it just has this smooth rock/pop groove that is infectious, harmonious and makes your spirit dance. As with all Collective Soul songs, this song is uplifting and hope-filled and can be taken at face value or interpreted in spirital context. “I’ve found my way home” can of course mean his physical home, family, spouse, or can mean his heavenly home – I leave it up to the listener to gauge for themselves.

I”ve listened to this song 5 times now as I type this impromptu reveiw and I was wrong on one point – its too short! I’ve also typed out the words (to the best of my ability on a so-so sounding laptop and earbuds). Words in Italics I’m unsure of. If this song is any indication of what the rest of Collective Soul’s new album is going to sound like – I’m going to be hooked by it and will be listening to it for years to come.

Staring Down (words used without permission)

loosened from my pride oh
that moster he kept me so tight
i threw my aces down
just to face the here and the now

so here i go again
i want to please
here i go again
sweet till i sleep
sweet till i dream

i’ve been looking
been staring down
been searching
been staring down
and your love is what i’ve found

was cautious as a thief oh
but restless for all of my needs
now i stand before
all i want and all that i adore

so here i go again
i need to please
here i go again
sweet till i sleep
sweet till i dream

i’ve been looking
been staring down
i’ve been searching
i’ve been staring down
and your love is what i’ve

long days long nights
just blinded by what was already in sight
now i’ve found
i’ve found my way home
yeah i’ve found my way home

i’ve been looking
i’ve been staring down
i’ve been searching
i’ve been staring down
i’ve been looking
i’ve been staring down
i’ve been searching
i’ve been staring down
and your love is what i’ve found

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