Why Collective Soul Wrote “Shine” Without Religious Intentions

Author Matty Cord and Colin Newby

July 20th, 2023 6:02 PM

Collective Soul released their debut single “Shine” on the album Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid in 1993.

The immediate reaction had to do with the religious messaging of the song’s chorus and the allusion to an old children’s Bible song.

However, the assumption was oversimplified. 

Religious Messaging

Any kid who ever attended Christian Bible camp, Catholic school religion class, or Sunday school remembers the old tune. “This Little Light of Mine” is one of those classic children’s church songs right up there with “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

The simple assumption of “Shine” as a reference to the timeless children’s song isn’t exactly farfetched. Similarities in the lyrics give a pretty easily-identifiable allusion.

Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
I’m gonna let it shine
I’m gonna let it shine
Heaven’s little light gonna shine on me

“Shine” debuted in the same era that Biggie Smalls released “If I Should Die Before I Wake” (with much more profanity). Plenty of previous rock songs also had religious meaning whether or not they mentioned prayer, gospel music, or any other objective Christian reference.

However, lead singer Ed Roland wanted to avoid the pigeon hole of Gospel or Christian genres. He’s deliberately pointed out that Collective Soul is not a religious band.

“Shine” by Collective Soul 

Song lyrics can mean whatever listeners want them to mean. If the religious messaging resonated, there’s no reason to discount it.

It’s not like Roland wanted to completely throw out the idea either. He even confirmed that his life as the son of a Christian minister had influence on the song.

“I’m sure it did because I grew up in the church for the first 18 years of my life, in a small town in Georgia, so (I was) heavily influenced by spiritual meanings and spiritual words, I guess. I do believe in separation of church and rock ‘n’ roll, but at the same time, what you grow up reading and learning, you incorporate it,” he told Stereogum in 2018.

Whether he meant it or not, there is religious influence in “Shine.” Churches and other religious venues even play it in religious contexts now.

Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me, what will I find?
What will I find?

Enjoy what is possibly the only combination of gospel and grunge you’ll ever find.

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Author Matty Cord and Colin Newby

Category:

• Music
• Classic Rock News