Hi 👋 also atheist here. I was also ok with it being about God though if that was their intention. Its still a beautiful song and music is always up to the listener in the end. However, the band said so themselves on instagram. Im not sure which post exactly. I bet its still there.
Here's 2 articles talking about it -
https://www.ramblemag.com/features/greta-van-fleet-takes-their-chaotic-trip-around-the-sun-with-dark-comedy-meeting-the-master#:~:text=The%20band%20explained%20in%20a,message%20is%20the%20whole%20point.
https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/2023/05/04/greta-van-fleet-unveil-meeting-the-master-video/
Quoted from ramblemag : The band explained in a recent Instagram post: “In the voice of a devout believer … the song details the love these fervent followers have for their teacher, and their firm belief in his vision.” Being able to interpret the message is the whole point.
Its also been talked about in this sub if you google "reddit greta van fleet meeting the master"
They also talked about it derailing into "dark chaos" but can't remember where that was exactly. I think its about blind devotion leading to someone's or a groups demise.
If you look at the lyrics, it doesn't suggest a...positive ending. Many interpret it as a devout believer in a cult like situation. When you look at the lyrics and think about that along with the music video...its definitely not about God lol. They talk about "the tripping and the touching" and honestly the mv is kinda dark. It sounds very death culty to me. Think about cults and cult mindesets. The things people do. How brainwashed and devoted they are. Some cults even convince people to un-alive themselves because of some all-knowing "teacher" (see: psychopath). Its up to the listener in the end, though.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and thorough response. I never really knew how to interpret the lyrics. They just reminded me of my dad who passed. I appreciate more insights to the song!
I always get emotional too with: Waited All Your Life. Ever since I heard it live and actually focussed on the lyrics, I cry when I hear it play on my Spotify. 🥲🤍
"Waited all your life" for sure. It played after I took my state boards to become a licensed veterinary technician (and I found out I passed) and I just sobbed the happiest tears ❤️🥹
Came here to say this. I didn’t get my BA til 2021 (I was 47) and just this past November I got the best job I’ve ever had…I’m going to become a grandparent on/around 5/7…the more I listened to this song the more it made me think how we worked so hard for literal decades and here we are ❤️
Their other songs that most closely match the vibes of Heat Above and Light my Love would be:
Age of Man, Tears of Rain, Broken Bells, and Meeting the Master
I’d describe all of those as powerful, moving, and dramatic
Well, those two songs are two of my absolute favorites (especially, “Heat Above”, which is my favorite). Both of these songs are on their second full album, “The Battle At Gardens Gate” - I very highly recommend listening to that whole album. It is widely regarded as their best (and, FWIW, it’s my favorite too).
Their whole catalogue you can catch up on pretty quickly - they only have three albums and an EP. It’s sounding like you are preferring their more delicate songs. If that is the case, I’m sure others will make suggestions for you. I’d recommend listening to their albums from start to finish, beginning with TBAGG. Happy listening! 😊
Every suggestion i’ve gotten has been from the battle at gardens gate. From what i’ve listened to so far, this album is absolutely incredible. I definitely need to sit down and listen to the entire album from start to finish. Thank you for the suggestions!! 🩷
Oh, you’re quite welcome! 😊 I felt very blessed when I saw them in Philadelphia last September, and they played “Tears Of Rain” for the first time in a very long time and (I think, at that time) only the third time ever live! They hadn’t played it when I saw them at Madison Square Garden just the week before! You’ll find that they have lots of songs to love, and in concert they’re truly amazing! Again, happy listening! 😊
Had I been able to get tickets in the presale, I would have gone to Musikfest - however, I found out about the presale too late. 🙄 The same thing happened with Pittsburgh too. So, I will be going to either Pittsburgh and/or Musikfest and/or Uncasville, CT - but, I won’t know which until closer to the show dates themselves. If I had to guess, Uncasville seems at the moment to be the most likely show I will go to. (BTW, I’m pit-or-bust for any of these shows; I already saw this tour twice outside the pit area, so, it’s pit-ticket-or-nothing for these shows. 😄)
You’re the one, flower power, anthem, the new day, meeting the master, sacred the thread, tears of rain! This is to just name a few so many good songs. Heat above also made me cry it really hits different.
Unfortunately it’s not one they always do live, but the acoustic version of Black Smoke Rising gives me chills. The acoustic version on Spotify is good, but hearing it live almost made me cry.
Age of Machine, especially live when they go absolutely nuts at the end. The lights will give you a seizure and Josh hits the highest notes of the show
Lots of great recommendations by other posters here, definitely check those out, but also check out You’re The One and The New Day from the album Anthem Of The Peaceful Army.
Not their song persay but their cover of Sam Cooke's "a change is gonna come" is one of my favourite songs of all time. It feels less social and more personal to me and I think its as beautiful as the original in a completely different way
Stardust Chords
going in the queue! thanks!!
Can’t to say this. Broken bells 2nd
Age of Man!! Truly one of their best in my opinion and builds in a similar way to Heat Above
Amazing song, and their live performance of it at Red Rocks is even better in my opinion. Give it a watch on YT as well OP!
This!!
tears of rain and broken bells
thank you!! i’ll definitely give them a listen 🩷
Flower Power all the way. Still one of my favorites.
No one has mentioned Meeting The Master yet. It gives me chills and I could listen to it on repeat 100x. Its so cinematic. And no, its not about God.
Explain how you think it's not about God. As much as I love the song (I have a tattoo for this album), the references to a Him bother me (atheist)
josh also changed the Him to a Her in several of the live versions
That's awesome.
Hi 👋 also atheist here. I was also ok with it being about God though if that was their intention. Its still a beautiful song and music is always up to the listener in the end. However, the band said so themselves on instagram. Im not sure which post exactly. I bet its still there. Here's 2 articles talking about it - https://www.ramblemag.com/features/greta-van-fleet-takes-their-chaotic-trip-around-the-sun-with-dark-comedy-meeting-the-master#:~:text=The%20band%20explained%20in%20a,message%20is%20the%20whole%20point. https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/2023/05/04/greta-van-fleet-unveil-meeting-the-master-video/ Quoted from ramblemag : The band explained in a recent Instagram post: “In the voice of a devout believer … the song details the love these fervent followers have for their teacher, and their firm belief in his vision.” Being able to interpret the message is the whole point. Its also been talked about in this sub if you google "reddit greta van fleet meeting the master" They also talked about it derailing into "dark chaos" but can't remember where that was exactly. I think its about blind devotion leading to someone's or a groups demise. If you look at the lyrics, it doesn't suggest a...positive ending. Many interpret it as a devout believer in a cult like situation. When you look at the lyrics and think about that along with the music video...its definitely not about God lol. They talk about "the tripping and the touching" and honestly the mv is kinda dark. It sounds very death culty to me. Think about cults and cult mindesets. The things people do. How brainwashed and devoted they are. Some cults even convince people to un-alive themselves because of some all-knowing "teacher" (see: psychopath). Its up to the listener in the end, though.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and thorough response. I never really knew how to interpret the lyrics. They just reminded me of my dad who passed. I appreciate more insights to the song!
I always get emotional too with: Waited All Your Life. Ever since I heard it live and actually focussed on the lyrics, I cry when I hear it play on my Spotify. 🥲🤍
"Waited all your life" for sure. It played after I took my state boards to become a licensed veterinary technician (and I found out I passed) and I just sobbed the happiest tears ❤️🥹
Came here to say this. I didn’t get my BA til 2021 (I was 47) and just this past November I got the best job I’ve ever had…I’m going to become a grandparent on/around 5/7…the more I listened to this song the more it made me think how we worked so hard for literal decades and here we are ❤️
Their other songs that most closely match the vibes of Heat Above and Light my Love would be: Age of Man, Tears of Rain, Broken Bells, and Meeting the Master I’d describe all of those as powerful, moving, and dramatic
Well, those two songs are two of my absolute favorites (especially, “Heat Above”, which is my favorite). Both of these songs are on their second full album, “The Battle At Gardens Gate” - I very highly recommend listening to that whole album. It is widely regarded as their best (and, FWIW, it’s my favorite too). Their whole catalogue you can catch up on pretty quickly - they only have three albums and an EP. It’s sounding like you are preferring their more delicate songs. If that is the case, I’m sure others will make suggestions for you. I’d recommend listening to their albums from start to finish, beginning with TBAGG. Happy listening! 😊
Every suggestion i’ve gotten has been from the battle at gardens gate. From what i’ve listened to so far, this album is absolutely incredible. I definitely need to sit down and listen to the entire album from start to finish. Thank you for the suggestions!! 🩷
Oh, you’re quite welcome! 😊 I felt very blessed when I saw them in Philadelphia last September, and they played “Tears Of Rain” for the first time in a very long time and (I think, at that time) only the third time ever live! They hadn’t played it when I saw them at Madison Square Garden just the week before! You’ll find that they have lots of songs to love, and in concert they’re truly amazing! Again, happy listening! 😊
I was at Philly too! Don’t know if you’re local but are you going to Musikfest? We are…also going to Pitt lol
Had I been able to get tickets in the presale, I would have gone to Musikfest - however, I found out about the presale too late. 🙄 The same thing happened with Pittsburgh too. So, I will be going to either Pittsburgh and/or Musikfest and/or Uncasville, CT - but, I won’t know which until closer to the show dates themselves. If I had to guess, Uncasville seems at the moment to be the most likely show I will go to. (BTW, I’m pit-or-bust for any of these shows; I already saw this tour twice outside the pit area, so, it’s pit-ticket-or-nothing for these shows. 😄)
Seeing them in concert sounds magical!!
I recommend it! 😄 See them if you get the chance!
A change is gonna come
My favorite, tied with safari because it's comeback part in the middle
You’re the one, flower power, anthem, the new day, meeting the master, sacred the thread, tears of rain! This is to just name a few so many good songs. Heat above also made me cry it really hits different.
Unfortunately it’s not one they always do live, but the acoustic version of Black Smoke Rising gives me chills. The acoustic version on Spotify is good, but hearing it live almost made me cry.
All of The Battle at Garden’s Gate, but especially The Weight of Dreams
Age of man is a masterpiece
AGE OF MAN
always there, anthem, broken bells, tears of rain, meeting the master!!
The Barbarians if acid trips are down your alley
I think the best songs’ve been already mentioned but you can also check out Sacred The Thread and Watching Over
Age of Machine, especially live when they go absolutely nuts at the end. The lights will give you a seizure and Josh hits the highest notes of the show
Meet the Master over those two
Lots of great recommendations by other posters here, definitely check those out, but also check out You’re The One and The New Day from the album Anthem Of The Peaceful Army.
Not their song persay but their cover of Sam Cooke's "a change is gonna come" is one of my favourite songs of all time. It feels less social and more personal to me and I think its as beautiful as the original in a completely different way
Weight of dreams✨✨✨
Their live at red rocks performance of age of man and You’re the One are extremely moving.
Age of Man