If You Close Your Eyes

May 2024 · 4 minute read

If You Close Your Eyes
Nate Bass Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴I was left to my own devices
Many days fell away with nothing to show
And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love
Grey clouds roll over the hills
Bringing darkness from above

But if you close your eyes

Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes
Does it almost feel like
You've been here before?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
We were caught up and lost in all of our vices
In your pose as the dust settles around us
And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love
Grey clouds roll over the hills
Bringing darkness from above

But if you close your eyes
Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes
Does it almost feel like
You've been here before?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?

Oh where do we begin?
The rubble or our sins?
Oh where do we begin?
The rubble or our sins?
And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love
Grey clouds roll over the hills
Bringing darkness from above

But if you close your eyes
Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes
Does it almost feel like
You've been here before?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
If you close your eyes

Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?


Overall Meaning

The song "If You Close Your Eyes" by Nate Bass is a poignant reflection on the difficulties that arise when trying to remain optimistic in the face of adversity. The lyrics speak to the experience of feeling lost and alone, as if time has passed without any real progress. The context of the song's creation is informed by the 2011 London riots which devastated the city, and brings a feeling of loss and destruction to the forefront of the song. The lyrics suggest that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, there is a renewed sense of hope and possibility if we are willing to look past the external circumstances and find a sense of inner peace and resilience.


The repeated phrase "If You Close Your Eyes" serves as a refrain throughout the song, providing a sense of comfort and a call to dreamlike contemplation in the face of crisis. The city of London is a constant reference point throughout the song, serving as a metaphor for the challenges that arise in life. The grey clouds that roll over the hills symbolize the darkness and turmoil that can sometimes obscure our vision and make it difficult to see the way forward. Yet, through the repetition of the refrain, the song suggests that despite these challenges, there is always a glimmer of hope if we are willing to look for it.


The song is a powerful tribute to the human spirit and its ability to find strength in the midst of adversity. It speaks to the trials and struggles that are a part of the human experience, and suggests that even when things seem dire, there is always reason to be optimistic and to hold onto hope. Ultimately, the song is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we have the ability to find the light within ourselves and to continue moving forward.


Line by Line Meaning

I was left to my own devices
I was left to fend for myself, with no one to rely on


Many days fell away with nothing to show
Many days went by with no tangible results


And the walls kept tumbling down in the city that we love
The things that we held dear were falling apart


Grey clouds roll over the hills bringing darkness from above
The situation was getting worse


But if you close your eyes does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?
When you ignore reality, does it seem like things haven't changed?


And if you close your eyes does it almost feel like you've been here before?
Do you feel like you've experienced something like this before when you tune out?


How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How can I be hopeful when everything seems hopeless?


We were caught up and lost in all of our vices
We were distracted and indulging in the things that were harmful to us


In your pose as the dust settles around us
You maintained your composure despite everything falling apart


Oh where do we begin? The rubble or our sins?
What should we focus on first? The mess around us or the mistakes we made?


Contributed by Bentley F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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