Feeling Stronger Every Day

Written for Song Lyric Sunday –
“Harness the Energy”

This week at Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday, the theme is “Harness the Energy” and our challenge is to write about a song with a message of empowerment. There are countless songs on this subject, and I’ve gone with two power ballads that I like and which came to mind immediately. Hope you enjoy this week’s installment of Song Lyric Sunday.

Formed in Chicago in 1994, Disturbed is an American heavy metal band known for their melodic sound and the signature percussive vocal style of frontman, David Draiman. They rose to fame with their 5x platinum debut, The Sickness (2000), and went on to score five consecutive #1 Billboard debuts. Originally known as “Brawl,” the band consisted of guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, and bassist Steve “Fuzz” Kmak. After their original vocalist left in 1996, they placed an ad in a local Chicago magazine which led to Draiman joining as lead singer. Upon his arrival, the band changed its name to Disturbed. In 2004, Kmak was replaced by current bassist John Moye. Following the tour for their 2010 album Asylum, the band was physically and mentally drained, prompting a hiatus in 2011. In early 2015, the members reunited at their recording studio in Las Vegas; this collaboration rekindled their creative chemistry and yielded their sixth studio album, Immortalized, and the title track of the same name as the first song of the session. With the release of their new album, the band made headlines with their viral cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence,” which was released in honor of the song’s 50th anniversary. Their version was a massive hit and received approval from songwriter Paul Simon himself. “The Sound of Silence” also topped the Mainstream Rock chart and became their highest charting entry on Billboard Hot 100 at #42. Lead singer David Draiman serves as a fierce critique of corrupt media and societal collapse, featuring the band’s mascot known simply as “The Guy”; starting as a simple drawing, “The Guy” has evolved into a staple of their album artwork and music videos. To date, Disturbed has released eight studio albums, five of which have debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.

Known for its surprisingly uplifting and positive tone, “The Light”, released in 2015 by Disturbed, serves as a beacon of encouragement, empowerment, and resilience. David Draiman explained that the song is about hope and self-discovery: “It suggests that you sometimes have to endure dark periods in your life to find the inner strength needed to overcome struggles like depression, addiction, or heartbreak.” A core line in the chorus, “Sometimes, darkness can show you the light,” perfectly encapsulates this theme. The band has cited this as their favorite song because of its strong message of spinning a positive outcome out of dark subject matter. The music video tells the story of a firefighter who suffers severe burns after being trapped in a blaze. Initially discouraged and struggling with his disfigurement, he finds a new will to live and gains hope through the unconditional love and support of his rehabilitation nurse. The song was written by the band’s core members, and while it remains a heavy rock track, it leans greatly into melody, making it a standout, lighter entry in Disturbed’s typically heavier discography.

This is “The Light” by Disturbed

LYRICS

Like an unsung melody
The truth is waiting there for you to find it
It’s not a blight, but a remedy
A clear reminder of how it began
Deep inside your memory
Turned away as you struggled to find it
You heard the call as you walked away
A voice of calm from within the silence
And for what seemed an eternity
You’re waiting, hoping it would call out again
You heard the shadow reckoning
Then your fears seemed to keep you blinded
You held your guard as you walked away

When you think all is forsaken
Listen to me now (all is not forsaken)
You need never feel broken again
Sometimes darkness can show you the light

An unforgivable tragedy
The answer isn’t where you think you’d find it
Prepare yourself for the reckoning
For when your world seems to crumble again
Don’t be afraid, don’t turn away
You’re the one who can redefine it
Don’t let hope become a memory
Let the shadow permeate your mind and
Reveal the thoughts that were tucked away
So that the door can be opened again
Within your darkest memories
Lies the answer if you dare to find it
Don’t let hope become a memory

When you think all is forsaken
Listen to me now (all is not forsaken)
You need never feel broken again
Sometimes darkness can show you the light

Sickening, weakening
Don’t let another somber pariah consume your soul
You need strengthening, toughening
It takes an inner dark to rekindle the fire burning in you
Ignite the fire within you

When you think all is forsaken
Listen to me now (all is not forsaken)
You need never feel broken again
Sometimes darkness can show you the light

Don’t ignore, listen to me now (all is not forsaken)
You need never feel broken again
Sometimes darkness
Can show you the light

^{Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Dan Donegan / David Draiman / Kevin Churko / Mike Wengren
The Light lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Mu}sic, Inc

Widely known as “The Bad Boys from Boston,” Aerosmith is the best-selling American hard rock band of all time, famous for blues-infused hits such as “Sweet Emotion,” “Dream On”, and “Walk This Way”. Formed in 1970, their original and current lineup is comprised of Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), and Joey Kramer (drums). The band became arena-rock superstars with their multi-platinum albums Toys in the Attic (1975) and Rocks (1976); however, relentless touring combined with heavy drug use and creative friction led to a decline. Guitarist Joe Perry and rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford left the band in the late 1970s/early 1980s. The group reunited in 1984, but their official resurgence occurred in 1986 when they collaborated with rap group Run-D.M.C. for a groundbreaking remake of “Walk This Way”. The 1990s and early 2000s cemented their legacy with their first #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (from the Armageddon soundtrack), a Las Vegas residency, and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

“Dream On” by Aerosmith is a soaring number from their Armageddon soundtrack about dreaming and pushing on until your goals are realized, and acknowledging the strength found in the struggle. Steven Tyler began composing “Dream On” when he was just 14 years old. Written over six years, the rock ballad reflects Tyler’s teenage angst and his hungry ambition to make it as a musician. Released on June 27, 1973, as the band’s first single, the radio edit was a massive local success in Boston but failed to make a national splash, peaking only at #59 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In late 1975, the record label re-issued the song at its full album length; by early 1976, it steadily climbed the national charts, eventually peaking at #6. The track later became one of Aerosmith’s most defining anthems, earning immense critical acclaim and a reputation as a pioneer of the power ballad.

This is “Dream On” by Aerosmith

LYRICS

Every time that I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
Oh, it went by like dusk to dawn
Isn’t that the way?

Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay, oh, oh, oh
I know nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it’s everybody’s sin
You got to lose to know how to win

Half my life’s in books’ written pages
Storing facts learned from fools and from sages
You view the earth

Oh, sing with me, this mournful dub
Sing with me, sing for a year
Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear
Sing with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away

Oh, sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away

Dream on
Dream on
I dream on
Dream a little, I’ll dream on
Dream on
I dream on
I dream on

Dream a little, I’ll dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
I’ll dream on
Dream on
Dream on
I dream on

^{Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Steven Victor Tallarico
Dream On lyrics © Music Of Stage Three, Bmg Apollo}

Harness the Energy

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week and every week. Be sure to follow his link and check out his site.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to some great music. I hope you enjoyed the theme for this week as well as the information and music I featured.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2026

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thank you for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.