Branches
3 1/2 Lyrics


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So many things
To do and say
But I can't seem
To find my way
But I wanna know how
I know
I'm meant
For something else
But first
I gotta find myself
But I don't know how

Oh, why do
I reach for the stars
When I don't have wings
To carry me that far?

I gotta have
Roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know
Who I wanna be
And faith
To take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world
For me

Sometimes
I don't wanna feel
And forget the pain
Is real
Put my head
In the clouds
Oh, start to run
And then I fall
Seein'
I can't get it all
Without my feet
On the ground

There's always a seed
Before there's a rose
The more that it rains
The more I will grow

I gotta have
Roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know
Who I wanna be
And faith
To take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world
For me

Whatever comes
I know how to take it
Learn to be strong
I won't have to fake it
Oh, you're understandin'
Oh, but when you come
And do it best
There ain't nothin'
To stoppin' east to west
(I'm not sure
if this is right)
But I'll still
Be standing
I'll be standing

I gotta have
Roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know
Who I wanna be
And faith
To take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world

I gotta have
Roots before branches
To know who I am
Before I know
Who I wanna be
And faith
To take chances
To live like I see
A place in this world
For me





I gotta have
Roots before branches

Overall Meaning

The song "Branches" by 3 1/2 is about finding oneself and having faith to take chances in life. The lyrics express the struggle of feeling lost and unsure of one's purpose, but also the determination to find roots and establish a sense of identity before pursuing dreams and ambitions. The opening lines convey a sense of overwhelm with the many possibilities and ideas swirling in one's head, but struggling to make sense of it all. The singer acknowledges a sense of destiny or calling, but recognizes the need to first find and understand oneself.


The chorus, "I gotta have roots before branches, to know who I am before I know who I wanna be, and faith to take chances to live like I see a place in this world for me," is repeated multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of establishing a strong foundation in order to grow and achieve. The lyrics also touch on the importance of facing reality and not running away from pain or difficulties, acknowledging that growth and resilience often come through overcoming challenges.


Overall, "Branches" is a song about self-discovery, growth, and taking risks to pursue one's passions and dreams while staying true to oneself.


Line by Line Meaning

So many things
There are countless things in the world to do and say.


To do and say
This refers to the many possibilities in life that one can explore.


But I can't seem
The singer is stuck and unsure of how to proceed in life.


To find my way
This means that the artist is lost and perhaps searching for direction or purpose.


But I wanna know how
The artist is eager to learn and make progress in life.


I know
This suggests that the singer has some sense of inner knowledge or intuition.


I'm meant
The singer has some sense of destiny or purpose waiting for them.


For something else
The artist feels that their current situation is not where they are meant to be in life.


But first
Before finding their true purpose in life, the artist needs to do something else first.


I gotta find myself
The artist needs to explore themselves and their identity to move forward in life.


But I don't know how
The singer is stuck and unsure of how to proceed with their self-exploration.


Oh, why do
This is a rhetorical question, suggesting that the artist is unsure of why they do certain things in life.


I reach for the stars
This refers to the singer's desire for success and achievement.


When I don't have wings
The singer lacks the necessary tools or resources to achieve their goals.


To carry me that far?
The singer wonders if they are capable of achieving their dreams.


I gotta have
The artist emphasizes the importance of something in order to achieve their goals.


Roots before branches
One must first know and understand themselves in order to reach their full potential.


To know who I am
Self-awareness is necessary to achieve true success in life.


Before I know
One must prioritize self-discovery before exploring their potential in other areas.


Who I wanna be
Without a strong sense of identity, it is difficult to pursue personal aspirations.


And faith
Belief in oneself and one's own abilities is crucial to achieving success.


To take chances
Being unafraid to try new things and take risks is necessary for growth.


To live like I see
Living in accordance with one's own vision is key to achieving personal fulfillment.


A place in this world
The artist seeks to find their own place and purpose in the world.


Sometimes
This suggests that the singer's experience is not always consistent or predictable.


I don't wanna feel
The singer wants to avoid or ignore their problems and emotions.


And forget the pain
The singer wants to push aside their emotional pain instead of processing it.


Is real
The artist acknowledges that the pain they feel is authentic and valid.


Put my head
This suggests that the artist is avoiding or ignoring their problems.


In the clouds
The singer is not fully present in reality and is perhaps engaging in escapism.


Oh, start to run
The singer may try to avoid their problems by staying active or distracted.


And then I fall
Despite trying to avoid their problems, the artist ultimately cannot escape them.


Seein'
This suggests that the artist is realizing something important.


I can't get it all
The artist recognizes that they cannot have everything they want in life.


Without my feet
This emphasizes the importance of being grounded and present in reality.


On the ground
Being fully present and grounded is essential to achieving personal growth and success.


There's always a seed
This suggests that all things must start at a small, basic level before growing into something bigger and more complex.


Before there's a rose
This builds on the metaphor of planting, emphasizing that growth takes time and effort.


The more that it rains
This suggests that challenges or obstacles can be beneficial to personal growth.


The more I will grow
Despite obstacles, the artist believes that they will ultimately experience personal growth and positive change.


Whatever comes
The artist acknowledges the unpredictability of life and is prepared to face whatever challenges come their way.


I know how to take it
The singer is confident in their ability to handle challenges in a positive and productive way.


Learn to be strong
This suggests that strength and resilience must be actively developed over time.


I won't have to fake it
The artist believes that they will be able to handle challenges in a genuine, authentic way without having to put on a false front.


Oh, you're understandin'
This suggests that the artist may be seeking support or understanding from someone else.


Oh, but when you come
This line is unclear without further context.


And do it best
This may refer to the idea of doing one's best despite challenges or difficulties.


There ain't nothin'
This emphasizes the importance of persistence and determination in the face of obstacles.


To stoppin' east to west
This line is unclear without further context.


But I'll still
Despite challenges, the singer is determined to persevere and remain resilient.


Be standing
The singer will remain strong and resilient in the face of challenges and obstacles.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ADAM EINAR ANDERS, NICOLE ANN HASSMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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