Released: 1999
‘Higher’ by Creed is a rock anthem that delves into the struggle between the harsh realities of life and the desire for a better, more peaceful world. It’s a song about dreaming of a utopia and the longing to make that dream a reality.
The opening lines ‘When dreaming, I’m guided to another world, Time and time again’ and ‘At sunrise, I fight to stay asleep’ suggest a preference for the dream world over reality. The ‘another world’ here is a metaphor for a place of peace and love, a stark contrast to the world the singer experiences when awake.
‘Cause there’s a hunger, a longing to escape, From the life I live when I’m awake’ shows the singer’s dissatisfaction with his current life. The ‘hunger’ and ‘longing’ are strong words that convey a deep desire for change.
The chorus ‘Can you take me higher, To a place where blind men see, Can you take me higher, To a place with golden streets’ is a plea for guidance to a better place. The ‘place where blind men see’ is a metaphor for a place of understanding and empathy, while ‘golden streets’ symbolize prosperity and happiness.
The lines ‘Although I would like our world to change, It helps me to appreciate, Those nights and those dreams’ show a recognition that the dream world serves a purpose. It provides a contrast that makes the singer appreciate the beauty of his dreams.
‘But my friend, I’d sacrifice all those nights, If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same, The only difference is, To let love replace all our hate’ – these lines express the singer’s willingness to give up his dreams if he could make the real world a better place. The solution he proposes is simple yet profound – replacing hate with love.
‘Up high, I feel like I’m, Alive for the very first time, Said up high, I’m strong enough, To take these dreams, And make them mine’ – these lines convey a sense of empowerment. The singer feels alive and strong enough to take control of his dreams and make them a reality.
In conclusion, ‘Higher’ by Creed is a song about dreaming of a better world and the desire to make that dream a reality. It’s a powerful message of hope and change, conveyed through vivid metaphors and emotive language.
