Don't Let Me Hide
Badlees Lyrics
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He's curled up on the basement floor
His worldly goods around his feet
He's lost his mind trying to keep
The more you gain, the more you pray
Nobody comes to take it all away
But you're up there and I'm down here
And walls made of foolish pride
Don't let me hide
Once I walked a troubled road
Crusading for a ransom owed
But any source of real joy contains
An initiation of pain
The more you build, the more you stay
Behind to tend what you have made
But you're up there and I'm down here
With just the stairs between our tears
And walls we can't see behind
Don't let me hide
The more you live, the more you're sure
Some things are worth losing for
But you're up there and I'm down here
With just the stairs between our fears
And walls we can live inside
Don't let me hide
The Badlees' song "Don't Let Me Hide" is a poignant commentary on the struggle and isolation that come with success. The opening lines set the stage for a dramatic contrast between the big man, who is now curled up on the basement floor, and his worldly goods surrounding him. The song suggests that the more one gains, the more one prays that nobody takes it away. This sentiment reflects the uncertainty and vulnerability that can accompany success, as one is always in danger of losing everything.
The song then shifts to a comparison between the singer and the big man. The singer is down in the basement, with just the stairs between their fears. The walls are made of foolish pride, suggesting that the barriers between people are often self-imposed and unnecessary. The singer pleads with the big man not to let them hide, suggesting that they too are struggling to find their place in the world.
The middle of the song reflects on the singer's past, when they walked a troubled road and crusaded for a ransom owed. The song suggests that real joy always comes with an initiation of pain. The more one builds, the more one has to stay behind and tend to what they have made. Once again, the theme of isolation and struggle comes to the fore.
The final section of the song is more positive, suggesting that the more one lives, the more one becomes sure that some things are worth losing for. The singer pleads with the big man not to let them hide, as the walls around them can be lived inside. This closing sentiment implies that although the struggles of success can be difficult, there is always hope for happiness and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
The big man ain't so big no more
The once powerful man is now weak and vulnerable.
He's curled up on the basement floor
He is physically and emotionally broken, hiding away from the world.
His worldly goods around his feet
His possessions mean nothing to him now, they cannot help him in this state.
He's lost his mind trying to keep
In his attempt to hold onto what he has, he has lost sight of his own sanity.
The more you gain, the more you pray
As you accumulate more material possessions, you become more fearful of losing them.
Nobody comes to take it all away
Despite these fears, no one is coming to take away what you have worked hard for.
But you're up there and I'm down here
There is a divide between us, both physically and mentally.
With just the stairs between our fears
Despite our different circumstances, we share the same anxieties and worries.
And walls made of foolish pride
Our egos prevent us from reaching out and connecting with one another.
Don't let me hide
Please encourage me to face my fears and difficulties, rather than hiding away from them.
Once I walked a troubled road
I have had my share of struggles and difficulties in life.
Crusading for a ransom owed
I have fought and struggled for what I felt I was owed.
But any source of real joy contains
Every moment of happiness is mixed with some sort of pain or difficulty.
An initiation of pain
This pain is the price we must pay to experience true happiness.
The more you build, the more you stay
As you work hard to create something, you become more attached to it and less willing to let it go.
Behind to tend what you have made
You spend more and more time maintaining what you have built, rather than seeking out new experiences.
With just the stairs between our tears
Despite our differences, we share moments of sadness and grief.
And walls we can't see behind
There are emotional barriers that we cannot break through on our own.
The more you live, the more you're sure
As you gain more life experience, you become more confident in what you believe.
Some things are worth losing for
Some things are worth sacrificing, even if it means losing something important to us.
And walls we can live inside
We create emotional barriers to protect ourselves, but this also prevents us from truly living.
Don't let me hide
Please help me break down these barriers and live a full, authentic life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORGE BRET ALEXANDER, JEFF FELTENBERGER, PAUL ANDREW SMITH, PETE PALLADINO, RON SIMASEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CClancy827
They are the most talented band I've ever heard! Saw them in Harrisburg as a back-up for 38 Special, I think! The next day, they played at the Capital City Mall in a vacant store...Pete signed my daughter's Mickey Mouse t-shirt! ("I am the REAL Mickey Mouse!") and she's STILL a fan! We both love them!
@BFagan
They were always grossly underrated.
@dubieb
one of the most most musically talented bands i've ever seen, and being a local, maybe i'm bit bias but brett's ability on string instruments and pete's voice should have taken them further for sure...
@alfredeneuman6966
The group was so good. Never understand why they did not become bigger nationally.
@ZombieCassandra
Possibly one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. <3
@franklentz4727
Agree
@mydogspet
Such a great album!!! They had so many gorgeous songs. I bought this c.d and it cracked, so I bought it again. It's that good.
@ZombieCassandra
I don't know if I'll sound like a rambling idiot to anyone else, but myself, but this song it speaks to me. It speaks to me in a way I cannot explain, I cannot begin to explain to you how much their music affects me and helps me. <3
@robinswanson3974
I just came here because I needed to hear this song. I can't explain it either, so many messages in one song. So many feels.
@paint1973
rock n' roll at it's finest