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Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise
The Avett Brothers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I'm frightened by those that don't see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn't change by the man that's elected
If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in
And demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I'll scream 'til I die
And the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There's a darkness upon you that's flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what's wrong and what's right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I'm frightened by those who don't see it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in
And demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I'll scream til I die
And the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in
And demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I'll scream 'til I die
And the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
And I'm frightened by those who don't see it

Overall Meaning

The Avett Brothers' "Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise" is a poignant take on the darkness that can cloud our thoughts and judgment, even in the face of seemingly clear options. The song opens with a paradoxical image of darkness and light mixing together, creating confusion and anxiety. The fine print that they mention may refer to rules and conventions that govern our lives, often in ways that we don't realize, and the fear that arises when we don't see the same things as others around us.


The chorus seems to suggest that true value comes from following our own passions and goals, rather than listening to authority figures or societal pressure. The idea is that when we live life fully and with love, we can find a sense of purpose and happiness that helps us overcome doubt and uncertainty. The final stanza repeats the earlier stance, using the same paradoxical language to paint a picture of a world that is at once full of light and yet still shrouded in darkness.


Overall, the song is a powerful anthem of hope and inspiration, urging listeners to find their own way and overcome any darkness that might be holding them back.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
Despite feeling like my life is all sunshine, there is a darker side to things that I can't ignore.


In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
Society's rules dictate my actions, and are enforced in ways that are often subtle and easy to miss.


And it comes in black and it comes in white
There's no nuance in the way things are defined, it's either one extreme or the other.


And I'm frightened by those that don't see it
It's scary to think that some people are unaware of the hidden pressures and expectations placed upon us all.


When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
Life is unpredictable, and it's rare to receive what we feel we deserve.


And your life doesn't change by the man that's elected
Politicians may promise change, but they can rarely deliver significant improvements in our day-to-day existence.


If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected
The love we receive from others can act as a shield against the world's many disappointments.


Decide what to be and go be it
Taking control of our lives and choosing our own path is key to finding fulfillment.


There was a dream and one day I could see it
I had a vision of something better, and I worked hard to realize it.


Like a bird in a cage I broke in
I overcame the obstacles in my path and freed myself from my own limitations.


And demanded that somebody free it
I didn't wait for permission to chase my dreams, I demanded it.


And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
I started from a place of insecurity and uncertainty.


So I'll scream 'til I die
I won't let anyone or anything hold me back.


And the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
I won't rest until I'm rid of all my doubts and fears.


There's a darkness upon you that's flooded in light
To others, you may seem to have it all together, but there's hidden pain lurking beneath the surface.


And in the fine print they tell you what's wrong and what's right
The pressures and expectations of society can be hard to spot, but they're always present.


And it flies by day and it flies by night
The weight of societal expectations is something we can never escape.


And I'm frightened by those who don't see it
Those who are unaware of these pressures are at a disadvantage in the game of life.




Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: Robert Crawford, Scott Avett, Timothy Avett

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@skumkwat2033

There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I'm frightened by those that don't see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn't change by the man that's elected
If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in
And demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I'll scream 'til I die
And the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There's a darkness upon you that's flooded in light
And in the fine print They tell you what's wrong and what's right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I'm frightened by those who don't see it
β˜…



All comments from YouTube:

@oniowa30

This song pushed me to follow my heart. I was trapped in a rut, working 60 hours a week for what felt like pennies, and completely a lone in a small town. I knew something needed to change when I started having suicidal thoughts and the same dream EVERY night of being chased without being able to lift my legs. With motivation from family, friends and this song I uprooted myself and moved to my dream location with a couple of bucks in my pocket and no plan. It was a struggle but 4 years later I am now happily married with a little one on the way and the job of my dreams. Don't second guess your heart, 'decide what to be and go be it'.

@smitty6132

Keaton Wanninger thank you for sharing...I needed to read that..I’m in a very dark space my ptsd is eating me alive and not sure how much longer I can hang on..

@fatone4960

Reach out, there are people who care & want to help you. Google β€œptsd resources” in your area. Don’t give in to it! Even if you think you’re alone I guarantee you matter very much to somebody. Hold on!!!

@fatone4960

Anthony Smith, there has to be a reason I randomly saw your comment here, hrs after you posted it. It’s proof that you matter, even to a stranger on the Internet. Please get help.

@LyleJTheriot

@@smitty6132 It can get better, and its not as painful of a path as you think. Please look up Jordan Peterson and watch his videos. Its helped many with PTSD and its helped me as well. Please hang on, its worth it I promise

@smitty6132

Fat One thank you very much...I’m still around it’s a daily struggle but one day at a time

22 More Replies...

@seancunningham6785

Years ago I was walking through Bonnaroo being a person leading others to despair.. I heard these words and fell to my knees weeping. I am a better man today because of these men

@kimberlywelch7862

I was there

@Anita_Backrub

❀

@Danny-ju2ip

A commercial brought me here and I'm not leaving

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