Trash Boat's 'Don't Open Your Eyes': A Review

Don't Open Your Eyes is a song by the band Trash Boat. It was released on their 2018 album Crown Shyness. The song has been described as pop-punk and punk. The lyrics explore themes of struggle, wishing for a better headspace, and the desire to forget.

The wish to forget dreams

"Don't Open Your Eyes" by Trash Boat is a song about the wish to forget dreams. The lyrics paint a picture of someone struggling with their mental health, wishing for a release from their troubled thoughts and dreams.

The song begins with a reflection on a difficult period in the narrator's life, where they contemplate death as a way out. They feel trapped, as if they are in prison, and long to be absolved of their past actions. The chorus expresses the wish to forget their dreams, which seem to hold them captive, while also remembering that the dreams are a part of them and their experiences.

The verse continues with a desire to move forward, to listen to calming conversations and embrace new revelations. Despite this, the narrator knows their own limitations and that they will need support and reminders to stay on track. The refrain, "don't open your eyes," could be interpreted as a way to avoid facing reality or as a way to shut out the outside world and focus on inner strength.

The bridge of the song emphasizes the importance of connection and communication, singing so that the message is not forgotten. It is a plea to be understood and to remember the singer, perhaps indicating a fear of being forgotten or overlooked.

Overall, "Don't Open Your Eyes" by Trash Boat explores themes of mental struggle, the weight of the past, and the desire for a new beginning. The song captures the complexity of wishing to forget dreams, recognizing that while they may be painful, they are also a part of who we are.

The desire for absolution

"Don't Open Your Eyes" by Trash Boat is a song about the singer's desire for absolution and the struggles they face in their journey towards it. The lyrics paint a picture of someone grappling with their inner demons, seeking release, and yearning for a fresh start.

The first verse sets the tone with the singer reflecting on a challenging period in their life, wishing for death as a means of escape. They acknowledge the difficulty in achieving a positive mindset and express a sense of physical and mental entrapment, highlighted by the line "This is prison". The chorus is a powerful plea for absolution, with the singer asking to be "absolved of everything I have done". This reflects a desire for forgiveness and a clean slate, suggesting a weight of guilt or regret that they want to be lifted.

The second verse introduces the idea of conversations and revelations as tools for calming and guiding the singer towards a better path. There is a recognition that they need support and encouragement to follow good advice, indicating a willingness to engage and make positive changes. The refrain "don't open your eyes" could be interpreted as a metaphor for ignoring distractions or denying unpleasant realities, focusing instead on the path to healing.

The bridge emphasizes the importance of connection and communication in the singer's journey. By asking for someone to "talk with me" and "cut through this lethargy", they are seeking engagement and motivation to persevere through their struggles. The repetitive nature of the lyrics in the outro, with the phrase "sing so we don't forget" being repeated multiple times, creates a sense of determination and a desire to hold onto this message of absolution and not let it fade from memory.

Overall, "Don't Open Your Eyes" is a raw and emotional appeal for absolution, reflecting the singer's desire to be freed from the weight of their past actions and memories. It is a cry for help and a recognition of the power of connection and conversation in the healing process. The song captures the universal human experience of struggling towards self-improvement and forgiveness.

Conversations as a calming mechanism

Conversations can be a powerful calming mechanism, as highlighted in the song "Don't Open Your Eyes" by Trash Boat. The lyrics of this song delve into the therapeutic nature of dialogue and its potential to soothe and anchor individuals in turbulent times.

In the verses, the singer expresses a desire for conversations as a means to find solace and clarity: "Conversations to calm me down / Revelations to bring me round / Sit and listen to good advice / Knowing me, I'll need telling twice." Here, the singer acknowledges the importance of listening and being open to guidance from others. This act of sharing and connection can be immensely calming, providing a sense of support and understanding during challenging periods.

The chorus reinforces the idea of conversations as a form of escape and healing: "This is prison / I wish I didn't remember my dreams / Like my dreams remember me." The singer compares their situation to being trapped, longing for a release from their haunting memories. Conversations, in this context, can serve as a form of liberation, helping to process and move beyond difficult experiences.

Furthermore, the bridge emphasizes the active role of the listener in providing comfort: "Talk with me / Cut right through this lethargy and sing / So we don't forget." Here, the singer implores their conversation partner to engage and connect deeply, cutting through their lethargic state and creating meaningful memories that can serve as anchors in turbulent times.

The repetitive nature of the lyrics, especially in the chorus and outro, underscores the song's central theme of using conversations as a calming mechanism. The singer's insistence on not forgetting suggests that the very act of engaging in dialogue and sharing experiences can be a powerful tool for processing emotions and finding peace.

Through its raw and honest lyrics, "Don't Open Your Eyes" by Trash Boat captures the potential for conversations to act as a soothing force. By expressing vulnerability and inviting connection, the singer highlights how dialogue can provide comfort, clarity, and a sense of calm amidst personal struggles.

The weight of lethargy

The song "Don't Open Your Eyes" by Trash Boat captures this sentiment perfectly. The singer, mired in lethargy, is desperate for release. They feel as though they are dying, suffocating in their own bed, fingers wrapped around their feet. It's a cry for help, a plea to be absolved of their sins, to be freed from the weight of their own mind.

The singer recognises the need to break free, to cut through the lethargy, to sing so they don't forget. It's a call to action, a reminder that you can't stay trapped forever. You have to open your eyes eventually and face the world. It won't be easy, but it's necessary to move forward and lift the weight.

Lethargy is a powerful force, one that can hold you back and keep you down. But it's not insurmountable. With effort, you can cut through it, like a knife slicing through butter. You can sing, you can remember, and you can move on, leaving the weight of lethargy behind.

The comfort in singing

The song "Don't Open Your Eyes" by Trash Boat is an emotional and introspective piece that delves into the singer's struggles with mental health and personal challenges. The lyrics paint a picture of someone grappling with feelings of lethargy, anxiety, and a desire for escape or release.

Singing can be a powerful source of comfort and healing, especially during difficult times. In the context of this song, the act of singing together can bring solace and connection. It can be interpreted as a way to find solace in shared experiences, to connect with others who understand the singer's struggles, and to find strength in unity.

The chorus, "Sing so we don't forget," suggests that singing can be a way to preserve memories, to hold onto moments of connection, and to find comfort in shared experiences. Singing together can create a sense of community, fostering a feeling of "we're in this together." It can be a reminder that one is not alone in their struggles and that there is comfort and strength in shared vulnerability.

Additionally, the song's lyrics encourage open communication and seeking advice: "Talk with me, cut right through this lethargy." Singing can be a form of expression, a way to communicate one's feelings when words alone fall short. It can also be a means to process emotions, to find release, and to work through challenging experiences.

Frequently asked questions