Grammer started as a busker on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and later performed in the Viper Room, the Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood) and the House of Blues. Grammer perfected his writing skills as an artist whilst performing on the streets and according to the Keep Your Head Up Songfacts he wrote the song to raise his own spirits after a particularly long day.
His debut video for "Keep Your Head Up" (starring Rainn Wilson) was an iTunes video of the week in 2010, and the version on the artist's site uses an interactive interface that allows the viewer to "send the singer into goofy scenarios". He performed the song on The Rachael Ray Show on November 17, 2010. He is currently opening for Plain White T's for the second leg of their "Wonders of the Younger" tour.
In January 2011, he was named an "Artist to Watch" by Billboard magazine.
He performed at SXSW 2011, playing BMI's Acoustic Brunch, where he was one of the artists contributing to a recording produced by Hanson to benefit the victims of the 2011 Japan earthquake.
His "Keep Your Head Up" video was nominated for MTV's O Music Award for Most Innovative Music Video in April 2011
Good Example
Andy Grammer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I can't stay
I know my heart breaks every night that I'm without you
Oh my dear
I need you to hear
There's a reason for the miles that surround us
One day I'ma look in your eyes
Tell you to go out and find, out and find
What makes you come alive
One day I'ma point to the sky
Tell you you were made to fly
When I'm gone, for too long, it's hard to handle
You know I'm trying to be a good example
I'm just trying to be a good example
So when it gets hard to handle
You know I'm trying to be a good example
So you go
And find your road
I promise you will know the way and when it's calling to you
And I'll be there
I'll be your cheerleader
I'll believe in you no matter what you choose, yeah
And every time I got to leave
You gotta know it's killing me
I hope someday you'll see
I hope that you remember
One day I'ma look in your eyes
Tell you you were made to shine
Tell you to go out and find, out and find
What makes you come alive
One day I'ma point to the sky
Tell you you were made to fly
When I'm gone, for too long, it's hard to handle
You know I'm trying to be a good example
I'm just trying to be a good example
So when it gets hard to handle
You know I'm trying to be a good example
When I'm away
When I can't stay
You know my heart breaks every night that I'm without you
In Andy Grammer's song "Good Example," he speaks to a loved one he must be apart from. He laments that being away from them at night breaks his heart. However, he recognizes that distance does not have to be a barrier if it's for a higher purpose. He encourages his loved one to venture out on their own and discover what makes them come alive. Andy reminds them that he will always be there, cheering them on no matter what they choose. Even though he must leave for an extended period, he wants his loved one to remember that he tried to be a good example.
It's a message of support that acknowledges the hardships of separation without creating a sense of dependency. Andy wants his significant other to thrive, even when they are apart. He implores his lover to pursue happiness and fulfillment in their way while letting them know that they have his emotional support. The song is also an expression of his desire to be a good role model for his lover, someone they can model their lives after. In the end, the song captures the essence of what it means to love someone truly and unconditionally.
Interesting facts about the song ‘Good Example’ by Andy Grammer:
1) The song featured on the deluxe edition of Andy Grammer's fifth studio album, "Naive," which was released in 2019.
2) The music video for the song features a soldier recording a video message to his wife and daughter.
3) Andy has been open about the inspiration for the song, stating that he wrote "Good Example" for his wife, who was pregnant with their second child.
4) The song has an upbeat tempo, which is a departure from his previous work, which focused mainly on acoustic guitar.
5) "Good Example" marks the first time Andy has written and produced a song by himself.
6) Andy Grammer performed "Good Example" on the Today Show and Good Morning America in 2019.
7) The song was featured on the soundtrack of the movie, "The High Note," which was released in 2020.
8) In an interview, Andy stated that "Good Example" was one of the most challenging songs he had written because he had to express himself emotionally.
9) The song is relatively shorter than most of Andy Grammer's other songs with a runtime of only 3 minutes and 8 seconds.
10) The song’s overall message is one of hope and is uplifting in tone, making it popular among Andy Grammer’s fans.
Chords (key of B):
Verse: B, F#, G#m, E
Chorus: B, F#, G#m, E, F#
Bridge: E, F#, G#m, F#, E
*Note: The song has a capo on the second fret, so chords are relative to that position.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm away
When I'm not with you
When I can't stay
When I have to leave
I know my heart breaks every night that I'm without you
I feel sad when we're apart
Oh my dear
My beloved
I need you to hear
I want you to understand
There's a reason for the miles that surround us
There's a purpose for our distance
One day I'ma look in your eyes
One day I'll gaze into your eyes
Tell you you were made to shine
Tell you that you were born to radiate
Tell you to go out and find, out and find
Encourage you to discover
What makes you come alive
What ignites your passion
One day I'ma point to the sky
One day I'll gesture towards the heavens
Tell you you were made to fly
Tell you that you were meant to soar
When I'm gone, for too long, it's hard to handle
When I'm absent for an extended period, it's difficult to cope
You know I'm trying to be a good example
You're aware that I'm striving to set a positive precedent
I'm just trying to be a good example
I'm simply attempting to model admirable behavior
So when it gets hard to handle
So when it becomes challenging
You know I'm trying to be a good example
You understand that I'm endeavoring to be a role model
So you go
So you proceed
And find your road
And embark on your own journey
I promise you will know the way and when it's calling to you
I assure you that you'll recognize your path and when it summons you
And I'll be there
And I'll be present
I'll be your cheerleader
I'll cheer you on
I'll believe in you no matter what you choose, yeah
I'll have faith in you regardless of your decisions
And every time I got to leave
And each time I have to depart
You gotta know it's killing me
You must understand that it's hurting me
I hope someday you'll see
I aspire for you to realize
I hope that you remember
I pray that you'll keep in mind
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Charles Grammer, Fadil El Ghoul, Lewis Hughes, Nick Audino, Anna Linnea Sodah, Gustav Nystrom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@R3HAB
I want everyone to be a good example these days and forever - enjoy 💜💜
@dilmithsenupa8865
Wow it's soo amazing R3hab you did it better and also Andy
@dapaamisell_
❤️🇮🇩
@kharenalive8932
I love it!!! ❤️💜
@dayeongkang8980
You're already doing that☺️
@rzrsnaygon2041
If you love it hit the like button
@KimmalCMS
andy deserves more recognition
@officergreg1318
Tru
@gordby5013
Yes! I introduced almost all of my cousins to his music, and Andy has a few more fans after that.
@kaidiver3089
IM SAD HIS CONCERT GOT CANCELED DUE TO COVID, OUT IN BERKLEY.