Music Review: Sister Hazel "Change Your Mind"

Sister Hazel

Change Your Mind
Album: Fortress
Year: 2000

Ken Block gives his friend a band-aid solution and blows him off in the cavalier "Change Your Mind."

Cheery guitars open the single, setting an oblivious tone. Block suggests to his friend that moving to another place isn't going to make him happy. Everything's not as bad as it seems. He says he things may just turn out.
"Hey, hey/Did you ever think/There might be another way/To just feel better/Just feel better about today/Oh no/If you never want to have/To turn and go away/You might feel better/Might feel better if you stay."


In the pre-chorus, he dismisses his friend. His friend thinks he's not even listening to what he's trying to say. Block says he has to repress his disappointment.
"Yeah, yeah/I bet you haven't heard/A word I've said/Yeah, yeah/If you've had enough/Of all your tryin'/Just give up/The state of mind you're in."


In the chorus, Block says his friend has to simply pretend that he's someone else to solve his problems.
"If you want to be somebody else/If you're tired of fighting battles with yourself/If you want to be somebody else/Change your mind, change your mind."


In the second verse, he tells his friend to appreciate life more. According to Block, his friend has taken the sunshiney days and the vast ocean for granted. Block says the world has a lot to offer and his friend is sulking. He tells him to smile.
"Hey hey/Have you ever danced in the rain/Or thanked the sun/Just for shining, just for shining/Or the sea?/Oh no, take it all in/The world's a show/And yeah, you look much better, much better/Look much better when you glow."


The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

In the bridge, the guitar shrinks, letting out short notes and Block's vocals become obscured.
He asks his friend if he wants to do something spontaneous today. It's not like he has anything better to do.
"Hey, hey/What ya say/We both go and seize the day/'Cause what's your hurry/What's your hurry anyway."


In the pre-chorus, Block says his friend should follow his advice.
"Yeah, yeah/I hope you heard/Every word I said....the state of mind you're in."


The chorus is sung once more to end the single.

In "Change Your Mind," Block tunes his friend out and instead tells him what to do. His friend doesn't necessarily seem to be asking for him advice. His friend wants him to listen. But Block has interest in neither. He knows what best. But by ignoring his friend, he really doesn't.

Block's simple vocals ramble. He seems to be talking to himself and then inserts his footh in his mouth at one point (telling his upset friend that he doesn't have much to do.) If it had been delivered in a joking manner, Block maybe could've pulled it off. However, his dry, serious vocals cause him to be a jerk.







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Reply #1 Top
Shows how much you know. The song is meant to inspire those that are unhappy with their life to change their attitudes, to stay positive. It has helped many a people through tough times. If you knew Ken, you would know that he never blows someone off. He will take the time to listen to anyone's problems and give them support.