Just Close Your Eyes

Story of the Year's 'Just Close Your Eyes' is a powerful anthem about self-discovery and breaking free from societal expectations. The song's lyrics encourage listeners to look inward, suggesting that true understanding and enlightenment come from within. The repeated phrase 'If you close your eyes' serves as a metaphor for introspection, urging individuals to shut out external influences and confront their own truths. This introspection reveals 'dreams you never lived and scars never healed,' highlighting the unfulfilled aspirations and unresolved traumas that often lie beneath the surface of our daily lives.

The song also delves into the theme of identity and the struggle to break free from the roles and opinions imposed by others. Lines like 'Deceived by my eyes and all I was told I should see' and 'Opinions not mine, the person they taught me to be' reflect the internal conflict of living a life dictated by external expectations. The turning point comes when the narrator hears a voice in the darkness, symbolizing an inner awakening. This voice, which says 'I'm you,' represents the narrator's true self, guiding them towards self-realization and authenticity.

The imagery of darkness and light is prevalent throughout the song, symbolizing the journey from ignorance to enlightenment. The darkness represents the confusion and pain of living a life that isn't truly one's own, while the light signifies the clarity and vitality that come with self-awareness. The line 'Inside of me a light was turned on, then I was alive' encapsulates this transformation, suggesting that true life begins when one embraces their authentic self. The song ultimately conveys a message of hope and empowerment, encouraging listeners to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and to reclaim their lives from the shadows of external expectations.