There are at least two artists with this name.

1) Abby Dobson (Austr… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists with this name.

1) Abby Dobson (Australian folk singer)
2) Abby Dobson (American R&B singer)

1) Abby Dobson is an independent Australian, singer-songwriter; originally from Leonardo's Bride - a four piece band from Sydney, Australia. They released two albums, (the gold selling) Angel Blood in 1997 and Open Sesame in 2000.

Abby and Leonardo's Bride are best known for their hit single, Even When I'm Sleeping which was voted APRA Song Of The Year in 1998 and was also later voted one of APRA's 'Top 20 Australian Songs of all Time'.

Abby will release her highly anticipated solo album Rise Up on October 6, 2007 through Inertia. Shining Star the first powerful single from the album is available exclusively through iTunes now.

2) Abby Dobson is a singer, songwriter, and performer based in New York City. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Abby migrated to Brooklyn, New York at a young age.

Abby's music is described as soulful and organic. Although her music can technically be categorized as alternative R&B, soul or neo-soul, her range of influences come from folk-tinged music such as reggae, country, blues, gospel as well as pop, soft rock, jazz and a touch of hip hop. She has also been classically trained as a vocalist since Junior High School. Abby has a great passion for words and books. Much of her lyrics are inspired by books, essays and newspaper articles as much as life and observation. Specifically, she has been deeply influenced by Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, J. California Cooper, Paulo Cuelo, Emily Dickinson, James Baldwin and Patricia Williams. Abby has established herself primarily as a solo artist, but also performs with Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber[1], a New York–based twenty-plus member ensemble led by Greg Tate (Village Voice) known for improvisatory orchestral performances that mash up all manner of vocal, instrumental and electronic music.

Free As A Bird
Abby Dobson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What’s the matter baby?
You’ve been crying for too long
You’ve been hiding out in the dark
Trying to work out what went wrong

And I know that it’s not easy
With these monsters in your head

You’ll come around
You will
You can do it
You’ll come around
You will

It’s been weeks now baby
You’ve been locked behind your door
It’s okay to come out
It’s time for you to swim to shore

And I know that it’s not easy
With these sharks around your bed

You’ll come around
You will
You can do it
You’ll come around
You will

Cos you’re free as a bird
You’re free as a bird
You’re free as a bird
As a bird
As a bird
As a bird
As a bird
As a bird
As a bird

What’s the matter baby?

You’ll come around
You will
You can do it
You’ll come around
You will

You’ll come around
You will
There’s nothing to it, oh
You’ll come around
You will

What’s the matter baby?
What’s the matter baby?

What’s the matter baby?
Baby, baby.

Overall Meaning

Abby Dobson's song "Free As A Bird" is a song that speaks to anyone who has gone through a period of darkness and struggles to find their way out. The opening lines of the song question a person who has been crying and hiding out in the dark, trying to make sense of what has gone wrong. The song's central message is one of hope; the singer wants to encourage the listener to push through their fears and doubts and trust that they will come out stronger on the other side.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the message of freedom, encouraging the listener by repeating the phrase "you're free as a bird," a metaphor for liberation and release. The singer acknowledges that the journey to healing and liberation will not be easy, as there will be "monsters" and "sharks" to overcome, but the listener will overcome their struggles eventually.

The song's message is highly relatable, as everyone has likely experienced a time of struggle and uncertainty at some point in their lives. The song's words capture the pain and hopelessness people feel during such times, making it easy for listeners to connect with the message on an emotional level. The song's soothing melody and Abby Dobson's soulful voice make it a comforting song that reminds listeners that, no matter how dark things might seem, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Line by Line Meaning

What’s the matter baby?
Asking what's wrong with the listener

You’ve been crying for too long
Recognizing the listener has been sad for an extended period

You’ve been hiding out in the dark
Acknowledging the listener has isolated themselves

Trying to work out what went wrong
Understanding the listener is trying to figure out a problem

And I know that it’s not easy
Showing empathy towards the listener

With these monsters in your head
Referring to the listener's negative thoughts

You’ll come around
Encouraging the listener to improve their situation

You will
Assuring the listener of their ability to improve

You can do it
Motivating the listener to overcome their struggles

It’s been weeks now baby
Highlighting the length of the listener's seclusion

You’ve been locked behind your door
Describing the listener's isolation