There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I'm frightened by those who don't see it

When nothing is owed, deserved or expected
And your life doesn't change by the man that's elected
If you're loved by someone you're never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it.

There was a dream
One day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid, with a head full of doubt
So I scream til I die or the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There's a darkness upon you that's flooded in light
In the fine print they tell you what's wrong and what's right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I'm frightened by those who don't see it



Lyrics submitted by hideindoors

Track duration: 04:48


Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise song meanings
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27 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:This song, especially the second verse, is really relevant in my life right now, the song means a lot to me.

    I love the symbolism in the first line, and maybe its not what was meant, but I interpret the darkness to be society telling people to be a certain thing, societal norms dictating peoples lives to be what everyone else thinks is best, and it very well may be the wrong thing. It's flooded in light, meaning that there's always a reason to justify a people's disapproval of a person's life choices or opinions, they convince people that they're right and the other person is wrong just because they're different. A currently relevant example: People against gay rights(in my opinion these people are darkness) using christianity(flooded in light) to justify their intrusion into someone else's life.
    Flag yellenon April 24, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I feel the song is a statement of today's times. It truly is temporary but yet those in charge want to tell others how things should be -- so the line "In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right/And it comes in black and it comes in white" has a dual meaning to me. It is referring to the Bible (obviously) but also those who have hijacked the Bible's message to suit their own needs and views for their political party (in newspapers, online, blogs, etc.).

    The next set of verses beginning with "When nothing is owed, deserved or expected" is speaking to those confused, frustrated, or discouraged about how to make sense of today's times. You can't live your life for them -- only for yourself.

    The chorus is talking about how the writer wishes everyone could see what he sees and how he wishes he could help those who don't.

    An amazing song that got used on American Idol and it's amazing that the people running American Idol don't see themselves as part of the problem described.
    Flag GuyinGAon September 22, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Link(s):Correction

    youtu.be/…
    Flag heidibear1974on May 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Link(s):youtube.com/…
    Flag heidibear1974on May 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:"Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise was written about the temporary nature of our buildings and of our mentality, accepting the temporary state that we may be in" - Scott Avett

    youtube.com/…
    Flag yeee_sonon May 19, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I feel like they're strewing together phrases to create moods. I feel like this has a very personal effect on the listener. I'll post what I've gotten out of this song.

    Darkness (evil) flooded by light (good). Black and white might be interpreted as society's view of morales; which is a limited view and doensn't necessarily take into account circumstances or stop and think how stupid the whole thing is (Janet Jackson)

    I don't know if he's frightened by those who don't see the darkness or those who don't see things in black and white (or grey).

    The next stanza is basically saying no pressure is the way to be. Remember how fucked Dave Chapelle got when they wrote him a fat check? Can't take the politics out of politics. The last line is my favorite "decide what to be and go be it". They make it sound so simple and maybe it is.

    I believe this stanza is about a lost dream or a dream that caged an individual. Coming of age, finding out who you are. The lucky ones are unlucky enough to go through it.

    More references to darkness and light. We're complex individuals; good but bad. Jekyll vs. Hyde. We are all sinners but some of us moreso than others.

    Much Love
    Flag bkabbotton April 23, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:meh... i dunno why it double posted, i cant find how to delete them under my profile and stuff >.<


    There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
    In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
    And it comes in black and it comes in white
    And I'm frightened by those who don't see it

    He's stuck on path but sees where he wants to go.
    but his upbringing/society/authority figure/law/rules say he cannot go that way.
    it's plain and simple
    and it worries him that others aren't pushing back against it.

    When nothing is owed, deserved or expected
    And your life doesn't change by the man that's elected
    If you're loved by someone you're never rejected
    Decide what to be and go be it.

    You are born free and are not obligated to anything.
    no matter what the authority says.
    You are free to do what you want and find love
    and go be what you want to be.

    There was a dream
    One day I could see it
    Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
    there was a kid, with a head full of doubt
    So I scream til I die or the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

    He had his dreams and wanted to chase them
    from being held down and stifled for so long, he broke free and demanded it to be allowed his dream.
    others cast doubt on his ideas to sway others to not speak up.
    So he would preach his mind until he died or until others let him be.
    Flag Ataraxyon August 25, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
    In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
    And it comes in black and it comes in white
    And I'm frightened by those who don't see it

    He's stuck on path but sees where he wants to go.
    but his upbringing/society/authority figure/law/rules say he cannot go that way.
    it's plain and simple
    and it worries him that others aren't pushing back against it.
    Flag Ataraxyon August 25, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
    In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
    And it comes in black and it comes in white
    And I'm frightened by those who don't see it

    He's stuck on path but sees where he wants to go.
    but his upbringing/society/authority figure/law/rules say he cannot go that way.
    it's plain and simple
    and it worries him that others aren't pushing back against it.
    Flag Ataraxyon August 25, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Hope
    Flag paysonazon May 20, 2011   Link

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