Disturbed - The Sound Of Silence (Lyrics)

Taj Tracks
3 Feb 202304:09

TLDRThe song 'The Sound of Silence' by Disturbed is a haunting exploration of the disconnection between people in a modern world. The lyrics describe a scene where individuals are surrounded by noise but are not truly communicating or listening to each other. The singer reflects on the emptiness of this existence, where words are spoken but not heard, and songs are written but not shared. The chorus emphasizes the silence that envelops the world, as people are urged to listen to the quietness that speaks volumes about their isolation and lack of genuine connection.

Takeaways

  • 🎵 The song 'The Sound of Silence' by Disturbed is a powerful rendition of the classic Simon & Garfunkel track.
  • 👋 The lyrics speak to the familiar theme of feeling disconnected despite being surrounded by others.
  • 🌙 The song personifies darkness as an old friend, suggesting a comfort in solitude and introspection.
  • 🌱 The 'vision' mentioned in the lyrics could symbolize the clarity of thought that comes with being alone with one's thoughts.
  • 🚶‍♂️ The imagery of walking alone on 'narrow streets of cobblestone' evokes a sense of isolation and contemplation.
  • 🌃 The 'neon light' represents the superficial and distracting nature of modern life that can obscure deeper truths.
  • 🗣️ The phrase 'people talking without speaking' highlights the lack of meaningful communication in society.
  • 📜 The song criticizes the emptiness of words that are not backed by action, as suggested by 'the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls'.
  • 🙏 The 'bowed and prayed' part reflects a societal tendency to seek solace in faith without addressing the underlying issues.
  • 🌧️ The 'silent raindrops' serve as a metaphor for the unnoticed but impactful consequences of our actions and words.

Q & A

  • What is the title of the song mentioned in the transcript?

    -The title of the song is 'The Sound Of Silence' by Disturbed.

  • Who is the 'old friend' referred to in the lyrics?

    -The 'old friend' in the lyrics is a metaphorical reference to darkness, symbolizing a familiar companion or perhaps a state of solitude or depression.

  • What does the phrase 'the vision softly creeping' suggest?

    -The phrase 'the vision softly creeping' suggests that an idea or realization has slowly and subtly entered the speaker's mind while they were unaware, possibly during sleep.

  • What is the significance of 'narrow streets of cobblestone' in the lyrics?

    -The 'narrow streets of cobblestone' likely represent a specific place or a more general sense of old, quiet, and perhaps lonely urban environments where the speaker's introspection takes place.

  • What does the 'neon light' represent in the song?

    -The 'neon light' could symbolize the superficial or artificial aspects of modern life that can be blinding or distracting, preventing people from truly seeing or understanding each other.

  • What is the meaning behind 'people talking without speaking'?

    -The phrase 'people talking without speaking' implies that individuals are engaging in communication that lacks depth or genuine meaning, perhaps suggesting a disconnection or superficiality in their interactions.

  • Why do the people in the song 'bow and pray to the neon god'?

    -The people 'bow and pray to the neon god' likely because they are idolizing or seeking solace in the superficial or material aspects of society represented by the neon lights, rather than seeking true understanding or connection.

  • What is the 'silence' referred to in the song?

    -The 'silence' in the song could represent a lack of genuine communication, understanding, or the absence of meaningful action in the face of societal issues.

  • How does the speaker attempt to reach out to others in the lyrics?

    -The speaker attempts to reach out to others by offering his words and arms, suggesting a desire to communicate and connect with others on a deeper level.

  • What is the role of the 'signs' and 'the words of the prophets' in the song?

    -The 'signs' and 'the words of the prophets' in the song could represent guidance or wisdom that is overlooked or ignored by society, as they are written on the subway walls and tenement halls where they are unlikely to be noticed.

  • What message is the song conveying about the state of society?

    -The song conveys a message of societal disconnection and superficiality, where people are surrounded by noise but fail to truly communicate or understand each other, and where deeper truths and wisdom are ignored.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 The Sound of Silence

The paragraph is a poetic and musical reflection on the theme of 'The Sound of Silence.' It begins with a musical introduction and the speaker addressing darkness as an old friend, indicating a return to a familiar state of solitude or introspection. The narrative describes a vision that was planted in the speaker's mind while they were sleeping, suggesting a profound or haunting idea that lingers in their thoughts. The speaker then describes walking alone in narrow, cobblestone streets, illuminated by the cold light of a neon sign, which seems to split the night and touch the essence of silence. The paragraph continues with a vivid depiction of a crowd of people, possibly 10,000 or more, who are talking without truly communicating, hearing without listening, and writing songs that are never shared, highlighting the disconnection and superficiality of human interaction. The speaker then metaphorically suggests that silence can grow like a cancer, and offers to teach and reach out to others with words that fall silent like raindrops, echoing in the wells of silence. The people are described as bowing and praying to a neon god, indicating a worship of modern, artificial light over the natural and profound. The paragraph concludes with the observation that the words of the prophets are written on subway walls and tenement halls, and whispers in the sound of silence, suggesting that meaningful messages are often overlooked or ignored in the noise of everyday life.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Darkness

Darkness in the script symbolizes the unknown, the mysterious, and the hidden aspects of life. It is a metaphor for the silence and lack of communication that the song addresses. The line 'hello darkness my old friend' personifies darkness as a familiar entity, suggesting a recurring theme of isolation or introspection. Darkness is also used to contrast with the 'neon light', highlighting the stark difference between the inner, silent world and the outer, bustling world.

💡Vision

The term 'vision' in the script refers to a mental image or a concept that is not physically present but is clear in the mind. It is used to represent the thoughts and ideas that are not being shared or communicated, which is a central theme of the song. The 'vision softly creeping' suggests that these thoughts are slowly invading the protagonist's mind while they are 'sleeping', indicating a passive reception of these unexpressed ideas.

💡Silence

Silence is a recurring theme in the song and is used to convey the lack of meaningful communication and the emptiness felt by the protagonist. The 'Sound of Silence' is a paradoxical phrase that encapsulates the idea of hearing something in the absence of sound, symbolizing the unspoken and unheard thoughts and feelings. The song suggests that this silence is deafening and is a form of societal illness that needs to be addressed.

💡Narrow Streets

The 'narrow streets of cobblestone' create a vivid image of an old, possibly crowded cityscape. This setting is used to contrast with the feelings of isolation and disconnection experienced by the protagonist. The narrow streets can also symbolize the limited pathways for communication and understanding in society.

💡Neon Light

The 'flesh of a neon light' is a metaphor for the superficial and garish nature of modern society. It represents the flashy, attention-grabbing aspects of urban life that can distract from deeper, more meaningful connections. The neon light 'splits the night', suggesting a division between the artificial brightness of the city and the genuine, albeit silent, emotions of the people.

💡People Talking Without Speaking

This phrase captures the essence of the song's message about the superficiality of communication. People may be physically speaking, but they are not truly conveying their thoughts or feelings. It highlights the disconnect between the noise of daily life and the silence of genuine human connection.

💡People Hearing Without Listening

Similar to the previous keyword, 'people hearing without listening' emphasizes the lack of active engagement in communication. It suggests that while people's ears may be receiving sounds, their minds are not truly processing or understanding the messages being conveyed.

💡Disturbed

In the context of the song, 'disturbed' refers to the disruption of the silence that the protagonist perceives. It can be interpreted as a call to action, urging people to break the silence and engage in meaningful communication. The title of the band 'Disturbed' also plays into this theme, suggesting a desire to shake up the status quo and provoke thought and discussion.

💡Silence Like a Cancer

This metaphor compares the silence to a cancer, implying that it is a harmful and growing issue within society. The 'cancer' of silence is something that needs to be addressed and treated before it spreads and causes more damage. It emphasizes the urgency and the negative consequences of not confronting the lack of communication.

💡Signs and Prophets

The 'signs' and 'prophets' in the script represent the voices of wisdom and guidance that are often overlooked in society. The 'words of the prophets are written on the subway walls' suggests that important messages are being ignored or dismissed, just like the graffiti in a public space. It highlights the theme of missed opportunities for learning and growth due to the silence and inattention.

💡Whisper

A 'whisper' is a soft, quiet sound, often associated with secrecy or intimacy. In the song, the whisper represents the quiet voices that are trying to be heard amidst the noise of the world. It contrasts with the 'sound of silence' and suggests that there are messages and emotions that are attempting to break through the silence but are often drowned out by the louder, more superficial aspects of society.

Highlights

Hello darkness my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone

Neon light split the night

People talking without speaking

People hearing without listening

People writing songs that voices never share

And no one dared disturb the sound of silence

Silence like a cancer grows

Hear my words that I might teach you

Take my arms that I might reach you

But my words like silent raindrops fell

And echoed in the wells of silence

The people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

And the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls

And tenement halls

Whispering in the sounds of silence