"Silent Lucidity" is a song by the American heavy metal band Queensrÿche, released in March 1991 as the third single from their fourth studio album, Empire (1990). The power ballad, which was composed by lead guitarist Chris DeGarmo, was the biggest hit for the band, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number one 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.
Background
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 4 1/2 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.
Reception Writer Chuck Eddy used "Silent Lucidity" as an example of hair metal's fading relevancy even before the rise of Nirvana, describing it as "a Pink Floyd pastiche by thinkers-of-big-thoughts more given to high-flown concept albums about technological conspiracy than lowbrow groupie gropes."
Track listing Original 1991 release "Silent Lucidity" – 5:49 "The Mission" [Live] – 6:17 "Eyes of a Stranger [Live] – 8:03
Chart performance Weekly charts Chart (1991–1992)PeakpositionCanada RPM7
Year-end charts Chart (1991)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM)69US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)82
Personnel Geoff Tate – lead vocals, keyboards Chris DeGarmo – lead guitar, backing vocals Michael Wilton – rhythm guitar Eddie Jackson – bass, backing vocals Scott Rockenfield – drums
Additional personnel Michael Kamen – orchestrator / conductor
Accolades Publication Country Accolade RankClassic RockUSThe 40 Greatest Power Ballads36Glide MagazineUSFavorite Hair Metal Power Ballads6VH1USGreatest Power Ballads21
See also List of Billboard Mainstream Rock number-one songs of 1991
References
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