‘Silent Lucidity’ is a power ballad by the band Queensrÿche from the 1990 album Empire. The song, which was composed by lead guitarist Chris DeGarmo, was the biggest hit for the band, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. ‘Silent Lucidity’ was also nominated in 1992 for the Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
Guitarist Chris DeGarmo was inspired to write the song by the 1974 book "Creative Dreaming" by Patricia Garfield, which explained how to tap into one's subconscious to experience a lucid dream. DeGarmo noted in an interview that the average person spends 4½ years of their life in a vivid hallucination state during dreaming. During that time, they can do superhuman feats like flying and walking through walls, as well as experience incredible physical sensations. "We created a very real dreamlike landscape for this song. Everything from the vocal delivery to the orchestration, to the melody, the instruments, it’s all trying to create this very lush landscape. It’s a huge-sounding track," he said.
The song was originally only acoustic guitar and vocals, but additional instrumentation was added during the last week of working on the album. The album's producer was adamant that the song should not be included on the record, but the band members pushed for its inclusion.
A piece of classical music is incorporated into this song: Brahm's "Lullaby" can be heard starting at 5:26, played by a cello. Queensrÿche has had a long and illustrious career, but this is their only song to crack the Hot 100 in America. They fared better on the UK charts, where they placed six songs in the Top-40.
Label – EMI America
Songwriter – Chris DeGarmo
Producer – Peter Collins
SONG LYRICS
[Intro]Hush now, don't you cry
Wipe away the teardrop from your eye
You're lying safe in bed
It was all a bad dream spinning (Spinning)
In your head (Spinning, spinning, spinning)
Your mind tricked you to feel the pain
Of someone close to you leaving the game of life
So here it is, another chance
Wide awake, you face the day
Your dream is over
Or has it just begun?
[Verse 1]
There's a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run through in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didn't realize and you were scared
It's a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the years
And ride the whims of your mind
Commanding in another world
Suddenly, you hear and see
This magic new dimension
[Chorus]
I will be watching over you
I am gonna help you see it through
I will protect you in the night
I am smiling next to you in silent lucidity
[Guitar Solo - Chris DeGarmo]
[Bridge]
"Visualize your dream
Record it in the present tense
Put it into a permanent form
If you persist in your efforts
You can achieve dream control
(Help me) Dream control
How are we feeling today, better?
Dream control (Help me)
Dream control (Help me)
Dream control (Help me)
Dream control (Help me)"
[Verse 2]
If you open your mind for me
You won't rely on open eyes to see
The walls you built within come tumbling down
And a new world will begin
Living twice at once, you learn
You're safe from pain in the dream domain
A soul set free to fly
A round trip journey in your head, master of illusion
Can you realize your dream's alive?
You can be the guide, but
[Chorus]
I will be watching over you
I am gonna help you see it through
I will protect you in the night
I am smiling next to you