“Staring at the sun” is a metaphor or analogy for people that are being self-destructive or compromising themselves. The words “burned” and “fire” are significant here as they emphasize burning, dying out, destruction of character and identity of somebody who is trying to fit in something unnatural for himself. This is suggested by “I won’t be burned by the reflection of the fire in your eyes”. In these lines persona is trying to say that if someone is going to destroy himself, he is not going to drag the persona down with him. The last three lines of the stanza are very significant. This is suggested by the first four lines. The second stanza emphasizes persona’s unwillingness to conform to everyone else. But this is then contradicted by “I won’t let them”. Repetition of “d” and “g” in the words “damn”, “thing”, “brings”, “down” emphasizes the fact that there is no help from the people surrounding you and that they essentially try to stop you from selecting your path (“bring”, “down”). This becomes even more evident as the singer stresses these words when singing the song.
The end of the third line and the beginning of the fourth are loaded with “heavy” words. The next line extends the idea slightly suggesting that being yourself while all the rest turn against you is very hard but you should not quit the path you have selected. This is suggested by the third line that although “everyone’s around”, there is really no help from them in selecting the path of your life (“no one does a damn thing”).
The next two lines link to the idea that it is important for anybody to be who he/she is and do not care what anyone else thinks. “Dodging bullets” suggests rage which could mean difficulties that can be encountered when trying to “find yourself” and that irrespective of anger or grudge that you may have you should continue to seek for your place in society. The second line completes the idea raised in the first line that life is searching for your place, trying to fit in the world. “Ride” links to the idea of searching for something in this society. Freeway” suggests freedom in choosing your way of living or your place in the society. Simile “life is like a ride on a freeway” reflects the subject of persona’s thoughts. The first line sets the mood of the song and suggests that the persona is in deep thoughts about life. The lyrics remind me of a narrative poem. The song also tells us of people who want to fit in so desperately that they compromise their interests and transform their character in order to fit in. It is especially evident for teenagers that are growing up and trying to fit in everything they do. Generally, the song is about trying to figure out your identity and how you fit in the world.
Staring At The Sun is one of my favorite songs not only because of the music but also because of powerful lyrics which combines well with the rhythm. In Americana, the band sings about different events that happen in the life of ordinary American families and teenagers. Their album, Americana not only sold over 10,000,000 copies worldwide but also presented the band in a new light and served as a development of Californian punk-rock.
But the core of almost every album has been fast songs with really meaningful lyrics (and not just something that rhymes which can be often heard in punk-rock). My will is something That you can’t confiscate So forgive me, but I won’t be frustrated By destruction in your eyes As you’re staring at the sun Commentary (Staring At The Sun) The Offspring are commonly known to be a punk-rock band but they have taken up so many different styles in their albums that many would agree that they sing something unique which cannot be fitted fully in a specific genre of music. Maybe life is like a ride on a freeway Dodging bullets while you’re trying to find your way Everyone’s around, but no one does a damn thing It brings me down, but I won’t let them If I seem bleak Well you’d be correct And if I don’t speak It’s cause I can’t disconnect But I won’t be burned by the reflection Of the fire in your eyes As you’re staring at the sun When I ran I didn’t feel like I ran away When I escaped I didn’t feel like I got away There’s more to living than only surviving Maybe I’m not there, but I’m still trying Though you hear me I don’t think that you relate.
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