Hey there, quick skim readers! “Heat Above” by Greta Van Fleet is an anthem of hope and unity. It paints the struggles of life as a collective journey toward something greater, using powerful metaphors like fire and marching armies to signify adversity and unity. The band wants to convey that we’re in this chaotic world together, but through love and collective action, we can rise ‘with the heat above.’ The song isn’t so much about a single person, but rather about humanity’s collective struggle and potential for ascension.
Ready to dive deep into the soul-stirring lyrics of “Heat Above”? Let’s unpack the artistry together, and you’ll never hear this song the same way again.
“Heat Above” Lyrics Meaning
The opening lines, “Sorrows of the Earth / May our tears of rain wash down to bathe you,” set the stage for the struggle the song will tackle. Tears become rain, and sorrow becomes a nurturing force. This plays into the idea that suffering is part of the human experience but it also has the potential for renewal.
“Can you hear that dreadful sound? / Fire still burning on the ground,” intensifies the sense of ongoing struggle. Fire here is both destruction and the intensity of life. It’s relentless but it’s also the reason you’re still alive, pushing you to keep moving.
The song takes a twist with, “We do not fight for war / But to save the lives of those who do so.” This suggests a larger, collective cause that transcends individual battles. It’s not just about personal struggles; it’s about standing together to save others as well.
“Can you feel my love? / Rising with the heat above / Life’s the story of / Ascending to the stars as one,” brings us the theme of unity. In a world that is literally and metaphorically on fire, love is the uplifting force. The heat rises, but it also gives us the energy to ‘ascend to the stars,’ to evolve and to grow.
Finally, “Marching across the land / Is a peaceful army joining the band,” tells us that this journey is not to be taken alone. The army is ‘peaceful,’ which contrasts with the dread and war-like scenarios we often associate with marching armies. It’s a collective uplifting, a band of humans in harmony.
The Story Behind “Heat Above”
Greta Van Fleet created “Heat Above” during a time of social and political unrest. The band saw the divisions and hardships people were facing. The emotional state of the band was reflective of the world’s collective feeling – there’s fire, there’s struggle, but there’s also an undercurrent of hope. This song is a way to channel that complexity into something empowering. It aims to capture the essence of humanity’s collective will to rise ‘above’ challenges. It’s a call for unity and ascension during divisive times.
What’s particularly notable is that Greta Van Fleet didn’t choose to wallow in the challenges the world was facing. Instead, they took the harder but ultimately more uplifting path of hope and unity. The songwriting process itself was a form of catharsis for the band, channeling their sense of urgency into an anthem that could reach and energize people.
By writing “Heat Above,” the band essentially created a sonic campfire around which listeners could gather. In a world growing increasingly digital and detached, they recognized the primal, uniting force of music. It’s a beckoning call, reminding us that when things get tough, we have two choices: we can either get consumed by the heat or rise with it. The band clearly opted for the latter, hoping their listeners would do the same.
This song isn’t just a tune you jam to; it’s an experience and a message, carefully crafted to connect with the innermost parts of our collective consciousness. It encapsulates the band’s state of mind but also serves as a mirror for our own feelings and aspirations, making “Heat Above” more than just a song—it’s a rallying cry for the times.