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Collective Soul — The World I Know
Album: Collective Soul
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2065









Released: 1995
Length: 4:08
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Has our conscience shown?
Has the sweet breeze blown?
Has all the kindness gone?
Hope still lingers on

[Pre-Chorus]
I drink myself of new found pity
Sitting alone in New York City
And I don't know why...

Are we listening - To hymns of offering?
Have we eyes to see - That love is gathering?

All the words that I've been reading
Have now started the act of bleeding
Into one... into one

[Chorus]
So I walk up on high,
And I step to the edge,
To see my world below...
And I laugh at myself,
While the tears roll down,
'Cause it's the world I know...
Oh, it's the world I know...

[Pre-Chorus] ...Don't know why
[Chorus x2]
Comments (154)add comment
This is a wonderful comment and made me reconsider my opinion of the song. If the artist has managed to reach one person like that, who is anyone here to be a jerk about it?

atticus wrote:

Yeah... a band that had a couple of good tunes. Like this one. This song was first brought to me by a student... an 8th grader no less. She'd picked it for her "Favorite Song" assignment where the students had to pick a song they particularly liked--for the tune itself, but also for the lyrics. They had to say something. Something about the living on planet Earth. Human condition. She hit it. Talked about the songwriter (Ed Rollins if I remember correctly?), and his poetry and what it all meant to her, on the verge of adulthood and new freedoms and different perspectives and the awakening. Been using it ever since as an example of a quality response to the assignment.



not usually a fan but the lyrics with the music are decent 
I enjoyed this band as a good "pop-rock" band when this record came out, but after seeing them live I had even more respect. First live show for my son as well, who is now 30.  Good memories. 
Gotta ’crank it up’ whenever this song comes on.
 Edweirdo wrote:

There's absolutely no correspondence or crossover between this artist and Peter Gabriel.  Not instrumentation, not sound, not production, not vocals, not lyrics.  Nowt.


Jeez, that's a bit harsh and absolute. Listening closer, I could see how someone might hear a somewhat similar build up to PG's, In Your Eyes. And the three syllable stress of the both 'world I know' and 'in your eyes' is also a little similar. Anyways, if the other listener hears a connection between this song and one of PGs vast collection, and you don't... how can you be that 100% sure that it's not you that is missing something?
I put these cats right at the top. Right up there with CREED
 kylieh wrote:
I can't help hearing Peter Gabriel when I hear this.
 
There's absolutely no correspondence or crossover between this artist and Peter Gabriel.  Not instrumentation, not sound, not production, not vocals, not lyrics.  Nowt.
 meanderer wrote:

Did you ever manage to fix your music player app glitch?
 

No. I hear Peter Gabriel too. It's not kylieh's imagination. It's PG's influence.
 kylieh wrote:
I can't help hearing Peter Gabriel when I hear this.
 
Did you ever manage to fix your music player app glitch?
Some days I really like CS and other days it is an automastic PSD. Today is a really good CS day.
Three Seed, Silversun pickups, stole their base line
Definitely reminds me of Jeff Buckley's music in general, and Last Goodbye in particular... Nice track anyways!
 atticus wrote:
Yeah... a band that had a couple of good tunes. Like this one. This song was first brought to me by a student... an 8th grader no less. She'd picked it for her "Favorite Song" assignment where the students had to pick a song they particularly liked--for the tune itself, but also for the lyrics. They had to say something. Something about the living on planet Earth. Human condition. She hit it. Talked about the songwriter (Ed Rollins if I remember correctly?), and his poetry and what it all meant to her, on the verge of adulthood and new freedoms and different perspectives and the awakening. Been using it ever since as an example of a quality response to the assignment.
 
Teaching has got to be a hard job, but getting that kind of result for your efforts? PRICELESS!  (Makes me kind of wish I had gone into teaching.)

Kudos, atticus
 fitmartin wrote:
One of the most unique and memorable bands of the 90's!

{#Hearteyes}

 
Indeed!
such a great band and music and a reminder that there is no time stamp on Radio Paradise. IloveRP!
 NorthernLad wrote:
used to love these guys and google dolls as well

 
Why did or would you ever stop loving them or ANY musician/band?  But for Collective Soul, I love them very much and the name is one of coolest parts of them. Rock on Radio Paradise, wow. Your good.
 {#Yes}fitmartin wrote:
One of the most unique and memorable bands of the 90's!

{#Hearteyes}

 


 themotion wrote:

Collective Soul is a great band with a tight, distinctive sound, but they are definitely not grunge.

 
Post-punk became new wave, just as post-grunge became alternative rock, and so the wheel turns and ages come and pass...
used to love these guys and google dolls as well
Classic rock, indeed.
My daughter (jessicamitchellmusic.com) shared a music fest with them in the summer in the Maritimes when she toured with Tom Cochrane, said they were humble, decent old geezers.
Exactly same melody (intro): Three seed (Silversun pickups)
One of the most unique and memorable bands of the 90's!

{#Hearteyes}
Genesis during period od Gabriel as front man plus also a little of Goo Goo Dolls.
 akiml wrote:
annoying. glad I am not familiar with them from the 90's as I find this kind of drivel maddening.

 
I can see if you don't like it (I guess) ...... but there is nothing "annoying" about it in the least. They were very original, this particular CD, as well as their debut CD, is pretty darn good all the way through, and "Shine" was about as rockin' of a song as you can find. Very under-rated and under-appreciated band overall.
 coloradojohn wrote: (in Jan 2014)
What a spectacular rock show they gave us Thursday night at the Boulder Theater! My 2nd time to see them...They blew us away!

 
I saw them in April, fantastic live band! Still!!

(I bought the t-shirt.)
this album is a gem. Thanks for playing, Bill!
 RParadise wrote:

No, it's Phil Collins you're hearing (or at least I am).  Same band, different "era".

 
Nah, he/she is right, the vocals are closer to Gabriel, not that I ever thought of CS as sounding anything like Phil, Pete or Genesis.
A little moody; a little bluesy.
 kylieh wrote:
I can't help hearing Peter Gabriel when I hear this.

 
No, it's Phil Collins you're hearing (or at least I am).  Same band, different "era".
There are 5 superior songs on this CD, some quite excellent.
I love their driving beat, good stuff..
 MiracleDrug wrote:
Top 3 CS song...

 
So that puts it in the top 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 of all time? ;)



I do not care for this song if you couldn't tell. : )
What a spectacular rock show they gave us Thursday night at the Boulder Theater! My 2nd time to see them...They blew us away!
annoying. glad I am not familiar with them from the 90's as I find this kind of drivel maddening.
"Shine" seemed much  fresher,,,
Love these guys.
Dosage is a great album. Sitting at a lake with my kids playing in the sand.
Totally zoning out to this. 
I can't help hearing Peter Gabriel when I hear this.
Ugh. I forgot how much I disliked this, because I don't think I've heard it since 1998. Thanks for reminding me!  {#Eek}


 jules44 wrote:
Overplayed in the 90s?.....perhaps.....do I ever get sick of hearing it?.....NO WAY!!!!!!
 
Same. I love CS, especially this song.
Overplayed in the 90s?.....perhaps.....do I ever get sick of hearing it?.....NO WAY!!!!!!
 Proclivities wrote:

I would think that record would be held by Mariah Carey or someone of that ilk - literallyNow, if you were speculating figuratively, you may have a point.

 

Depends on what kind of station you listened to. Remember when all of those "alternative" rock stations came out? Alternative, that's a laugh!{#Lol}
I like the strings.  Classy. And 1 extra point for mentioning NY city.  Nice.   {#Good-vibes}
Top 3 CS song...
 marc1980 wrote:
This brings back memories or my teenage years!! 
 
Same here!  Excellent blast from the past.

Rich in sifting sands and shining seas
Getting flashbacks to my work and love at the time. Wow. What a melody. See my world below. 
I always feel comforted by this song...
This brings back memories or my teenage years!! 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

At times he really sounds like Peter Gabriel.

 
I think Peter Gabriel has rather more range to his voice. He sure as feck sings more blasted notes than this guy in this song. Ho-Hum from the very first sung bar {#Sleep}
 horstman wrote:

You forgot Screaming Trees!
 
Yeah, don't forget the Trees!!!
indeed
 themotion wrote:


You have a complete misunderstanding of what grunge is.

Try:

Mudhoney
Melvins
Alice in Chains
Mother Love Bone
Temple of the Dog
Soundgarden
U-Men
Nirvana
The Fluid
Paw
Stone Temple Pilots
My Sister's Machine
Skinyard

Collective Soul is a great band with a tight, distinctive sound, but they are definitely not grunge.
 
You forgot Screaming Trees!

 Jelani wrote:
This is a good tune , but much better stuff on this record.
 
This was a very strong album. Lots of killer guitar riffs.

 milchschnitte wrote:
like it, the voice is superb.
 
At times he really sounds like Peter Gabriel.

Hadn't heard this in a long time and forgot how much I enjoy it! Thanks!
This is a good tune , but much better stuff on this record.

Judging from the date of the comments, I think this song is on about the right rotation - every 3 months or so. 

Commercial success ≠ awful song


Would there be objections to this song in the playlist had it not been so overplayed out in the "real" world?  I tried really hard to listen with fresh ears and I think it blends nicely into the set.  Maybe I'm just in a good mood this morning?
like it, the voice is superb.
Collecive Soul was the most played artist on the radio in the 1990s (literally, they hold the record). I don't dislike them. But surprised to see them on RP.
 MegaM wrote:
Yes, Congrats to David Cook! He is the first person I thought of when I heard this song today. A true musician.
 

The American Idol guy? Seriously?
{#Stop} soooo overplayed on the radio over the years. I hoped I would never hear this song again.
This song is STILL played to death on the local rock stations. No need to hear it here, too.
SOOOO Depressing. I think I am prolly gonna jump off of a tall building, just like in the video. LOL

Great song though.
Whoops, must have accidentally turned on the 90s Top 40 rock channel. Oh no, wait...it is RP. Weird...
{#Music} Nice guitar bridge.

 Chunnamark wrote:


Yeah, and what a bizarre time to rant about Peter Gabriel... what did he ever do to you, anyways, kill your children (with Ovo, the Millenium Concert, no doubt...)?

Collective Soul just sucks because they came at the "Genesis" of modern corporate rock. Great song for remembering 1996 though... oh the days...
 

I'm quite pleased my sarcasm wasn't wasted on you. And by the way, though Collective Soul couldn't walk a mile in Gabriel's shoes, they still didn't suck anywhere near as bad as you seem to think, (especially this song, it's actually quite good). Also, it came out fall/winter of '95.{#Hand}{#Foot-in-mouth}{#Shhh}{#Ask}
themotion wrote:
Collective Soul is a great band with a tight, distinctive sound, but they are definitely not grunge.
But they wore flannel shirts, so the confusion is understandable...
Yes, Congrats to David Cook! He is the first person I thought of when I heard this song today. A true musician.
Congratulations, David Cook! Your integrity, courage and vision have served you well. Good luck with your career!
Nice song...emotive...what's happening to me?
chasech5 wrote:
I disagree. The power of this song lies in its existential punch, which it gets from its lyrics. The notion of embracing the world as a whole and as it is, with all its flaws and a heavy heart, is not a common one in rock and roll. Being able to channel that into a great tight pop song is definitely a mark of distinction.
really well said. and i agree. and i usually do like CS songs, but this one in particular.
chasech5 wrote:
I disagree. The power of this song lies in its existential punch, which it gets from its lyrics. The notion of embracing the world as a whole and as it is, with all its flaws and a heavy heart, is not a common one in rock and roll. Being able to channel that into a great tight pop song is definitely a mark of distinction.
Dammit, how DARE you make me appreciate this song! :)
The only (the ONLY) CS song I like. Tolerate, even.
TampaPurple wrote:
Its not particularly objectionable, and the kiddies love it, but its nothing too terribly creative.
I disagree. The power of this song lies in its existential punch, which it gets from its lyrics. The notion of embracing the world as a whole and as it is, with all its flaws and a heavy heart, is not a common one in rock and roll. Being able to channel that into a great tight pop song is definitely a mark of distinction.
savoyard wrote:
One of many horrible grunge bands that was stuffed down our throats on radio stations throughout the 90s. Isn't Radio Paradise supposed to be a solution for this problem.
You have a complete misunderstanding of what grunge is. Try: Mudhoney Melvins Alice in Chains Mother Love Bone Temple of the Dog Soundgarden U-Men Nirvana The Fluid Paw Stone Temple Pilots My Sister's Machine Skinyard Collective Soul is a great band with a tight, distinctive sound, but they are definitely not grunge.
savoyard wrote:
One of many horrible grunge bands that was stuffed down our throats on radio stations throughout the 90s. Isn't Radio Paradise supposed to be a solution for this problem.
Grunge?? Really? When I think Collective Soul, I think highly polished riff driven pop, not grunge. This is very thoughtful music that never got it's due IMO.
Pretty good song - really!
Saw them live in Toronto in \'97. Pretty good show as I recall.
auburntigerrich wrote:
I'll betcha that if this tune hadn't have been a single on FM radio, the ratings and comments would be higher. Well produced, athemic, driving-with-the-windows-down goodness. And the rest of their stuff isn't bad either. Try "Needs" from the Dosage album.
You may be right, but it has that "Goo Goo Dolls/Meg Ryan movie soundtrack" sound going on. Its not particularly objectionable, and the kiddies love it, but its nothing too terribly creative.
auburntigerrich wrote:
I'll betcha that if this tune hadn't have been a single on FM radio, the ratings and comments would be higher. Well produced, athemic, driving-with-the-windows-down goodness. And the rest of their stuff isn't bad either. Try "Needs" from the Dosage album.
Sadly, many good songs get overplayed on FM radio, and then you hate 'em (well, maybe "hate" is too strong a word).
One of many horrible grunge bands that was stuffed down our throats on radio stations throughout the 90s. Isn\'t Radio Paradise supposed to be a solution for this problem.
In Collective Soul's defense, I saw them live as well and found them to be energetic and exciting. Of course, they were opening up for Creed that night.... Pips914 wrote:
Yamson, you went to a concert where Collective Soul opened for Creed? Did you lose a bet?
I went to see Creed only because Our Lady Peace was the warm up band. OLP was very, very good (back in the days of Naveed and Clumsy), but Creed was just okay in a way that all of their concerts seemed like they were taking out the trash or mowing the lawn.
TexasAggies wrote:
Saw them open for Van Halen in 1995(?) and they were very, very weak. This song is OK for me, nothing horrid.
Saw them in 2000 or so as headliners and it was a weirdly weak show, very amateurish stage presence except for an occasional decent hook. Mid ways through drunk rednecks started chunkin bottles at em for being lame and Ed pouted, whined and acted like a spoiled brat in response. Still like their cds but any real respect I had for them was lost after seeing them live.
Aren't they singning "One-Eyed Gnome?"
I'll betcha that if this tune hadn't have been a single on FM radio, the ratings and comments would be higher. Well produced, athemic, driving-with-the-windows-down goodness. And the rest of their stuff isn't bad either. Try "Needs" from the Dosage album.
Pips914 wrote:
You went to a concert where Collective Soul opened for Creed? Did you lose a bet?
My thoughts exactly
I love collective soul, and this is one of my favorite songs by them. December is great, too.
FlakCat wrote:
I don't dislike this song, but I expect better from RP that this.
Try sending money.
It may have been hideously overplayed, but it's still pretty decent.
Haven't heard this one in along time, and RP is almost the last place I'd expect to hear it. Good song. Not great, but good. Atta boy, Bill.
what? yes! ... how about december ...
Chunnamark wrote:
Yeah, and what a bizarre time to rant about Peter Gabriel... what did he ever do to you, anyways, kill your children (with Ovo, the Millenium Concert, no doubt...)? Collective Soul just sucks because they came at the "Genesis" of modern corporate rock. Great song for remembering 1996 though... oh the days...
seriously dude have you ever heard of a thing called "sarcasm"? Note the "in what freakin' universe" line at the end of my quip? I'm a huge Gabriel fan, and Collective Soul had a few good pop songs, (this one included), but they will never be the genius Pete is/was!
Yamson wrote:
In Collective Soul's defense, I saw them live as well and found them to be energetic and exciting. Of course, they were opening up for Creed that night.... There really is a lot of other Collective Soul stuff out there that deserves more RP airtime.
Yamson, you went to a concert where Collective Soul opened for Creed? Did you lose a bet?
A lot of stuff I hear I might have liked at some point or will like at another point on the journey. And I might not be real keen on it now...but I listen with an ear to what might be there...not what isn't.
Excellently stated.
Saw them open for Van Halen in 1995(?) and they were very, very weak. This song is OK for me, nothing horrid.
FlakCat wrote:
I don't dislike this song, but I expect better from RP that this.
same here. this is weak.
Sure...they're overplayed. Lot's of good stuff is. Doesn't mean they didn't have something to offer. For me they were a threshold I crossed at one time into more diverse and delightful sounds that led me to, and perhaps will one day lead me through, the eclectic coolness that is RP. A lot of stuff I hear I might have liked at some point or will like at another point on the journey. And I might not be real keen on it now...but I listen with an ear to what might be there...not what isn't.
I don't dislike this song, but I expect better from RP that this.
insipid, cloying drivel..
psycholynx wrote:
Grew to hate this band, saw them live and they were horrid. That being said, this is one of the few songs that are enjoyable in a "waiting at the dentist's office, up-beat, glad it's not Celine Dion or Michael Bolton" kind of way.
In Collective Soul's defense, I saw them live as well and found them to be energetic and exciting. Of course, they were opening up for Creed that night.... There really is a lot of other Collective Soul stuff out there that deserves more RP airtime.
Collective Suck!
tim_ontario wrote:
Wow...man...not a single Aerosmith song on RP
I pray that it remains that way. Unless we're talkin' something from Get Your Wings. I think that was their best stuff by far.
Wow...man...not a single Aerosmith song on RP but no less than 12 songs in rotation by this 2nd rate mid 90s generic corporate rock act...amazing
So many great songs on their albums, I love putting all five in the cd player and put it on shuffle when I clean the house. I think they are a fantastic band. Wish I could have seen the original band in concert.
I love this song because it speaks to the experience of change and how complex it is to let go of old ways. There is this moment where "the world" does collapse and the only thing you have is to risk stepping into the unknown...... That being said, the song can be grating especially given the overplay it received.
Neither eclectic nor intelligent
Grew to hate this band, saw them live and they were horrid. That being said, this is one of the few songs that are enjoyable in a "waiting at the dentist's office, up-beat, glad it's not Celine Dion or Michael Bolton" kind of way.
orpheus wrote:
oh right dude, collective soul is SO incredibly superior to Gabriel?! (in what freakin' universe?)
Yeah, and what a bizarre time to rant about Peter Gabriel... what did he ever do to you, anyways, kill your children (with Ovo, the Millenium Concert, no doubt...)? Collective Soul just sucks because they came at the "Genesis" of modern corporate rock. Great song for remembering 1996 though... oh the days...
Mangoman wrote:
I suppose. That is, if Peter Gabriel could ever launch more than just a musical thought, and somehow figure out how to construct a bridge and an end. I've often thought he must write like I listen to him-- With initial interest, followed by mind wandering in search of some substance, occasionally returning with mild irritation and wondering if the repetition means the cd is skipping... These boys, though-- Pop composing perfection. And I mean "Pop" in the good sense.
oh right dude, collective soul is SO incredibly superior to Gabriel?! (in what freakin' universe?)
coding_to_music wrote:
Peter Gabriel meets Goo Goo Dolls ?
I suppose. That is, if Peter Gabriel could ever launch more than just a musical thought, and somehow figure out how to construct a bridge and an end. I've often thought he must write like I listen to him-- With initial interest, followed by mind wandering in search of some substance, occasionally returning with mild irritation and wondering if the repetition means the cd is skipping... These boys, though-- Pop composing perfection. And I mean "Pop" in the good sense.
I never understood that band...
coding_to_music wrote:
Peter Gabriel meets Goo Goo Dolls ?
:-) it surely seems so.
not-a-fish wrote:
8 for nostalgia's sake.
Agreed. It's one of those cuts that seems so of its historical moment that it feels like a classic, a touchstone for 1995.
Peter Gabriel meets Goo Goo Dolls ?
Roverfish wrote:
Not to take away from your story, which is poignant and interesting, but the lead for CS is Ed Roland. Henry Garfield 'Don't Call Me Ed' Rollins, on the other hand, is a very interesting fellow, and far more worthy of lyrical study and contemplation than the aforementioned Collectively Worthless band. (IMO)
I have yet to hear any thought provoking lyrics from you; I guess it is much easier to be an arrogant blow hard than to appreciate the diverse beauty in each song that is played here. PS. I have been through Tucson on a number of occasions and I haven't even considered stopping for gas in that desert shithole.
trite
I DIG IT!