Rise To The Sun

Alabama Shakes' song 'Rise To The Sun' is a poignant exploration of dreams, longing, and the search for a place to call home. The lyrics convey a deep sense of yearning and homesickness, as the protagonist grapples with the feeling of being out of place in the world. The opening lines, 'All I believe in is a dream / I haunt the Earth though I am fully seen,' suggest a sense of disconnection and a desire to find something more meaningful. This dream, however, seems elusive and distant, much like the stars that are 'full of stars / But I just can't reach 'em.'

The recurring theme of homesickness is central to the song. The protagonist questions, 'Where's my home / Where I belong / Where I was born,' indicating a deep-rooted need to find a place of comfort and belonging. This search for home is complicated by the advice to 'go / Where the wind would blow,' which implies a sense of directionlessness and uncertainty. The wind, a metaphor for life's unpredictable nature, blows the protagonist away from their desired path, adding to their sense of displacement.

Despite the challenges, there is a sense of resilience and routine in the lyrics. The lines 'I wake up / Rise to the sun / I go to work / And I come back home' reflect the daily grind and the hope that each new day brings. This routine, though monotonous, is a testament to the protagonist's perseverance and determination to keep moving forward. The song ultimately captures the universal human experience of striving for dreams, dealing with life's uncertainties, and the enduring quest to find a place to call home.