Freak
Brad Caleb Kane Lyrics
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You probably just got home from God Knows where
And Went into my room to tell me
How tired you both are and how tired I make you both
Seem to think, I'm a problem to solve
But I don't want to be this thing that has to
Step over glass to prove, I'm not always wrong
It's not my fault I was born
Well, I am confused too; you act like you never use to
Hit me in anger, you broke my belief in any comfort or safety or sense of relief
You, you called me a liar, you called me a thief
I better run for my life, I'd rather live in the street
You never listened to me; you only hear what you want to hear
Remember the dream that I told you I had
With the old man with the jacket, that had a navy patch
I pissed myself for a year; you said it's only a dream
You have to grow up sometime; you have to be a man like me
A man like you who sticks his head in the sand to disappear
Who thinks the danger goes away, if you can't see the things you fear
If I could be a man like that I'd stay and force you
To ignore all of these burns on my skin, that you confuse with discipline
I won't destroy your illusion, destroy your mystic
You'll have to learn to live without one more unfortunate freak
You, You called me a loser, you called me sick
I'd get more love in the street, get more affection sucking dick
You never listened to me; you only hear what you want to hear
I will not take my own life to validate what you have done
Won't let the sins of the Father become those of the son
You, you called me depressive, you called me weak
You're better off without the love of this unfortunate freak
You never listened to me; someone will listen to me
Someone will listen to me
Someone will...listen to me
Someone will listen to me
Someone will listen to me
Someone will listen to me
Someone will listen to me
Someone Will....
The lyrics of Brad Caleb Kane's song "Freak" are a powerful and emotional letter to the singer's parents. He addresses them directly, beginning with "Dear Mother and Father, if you're reading this now," and goes on to express his feelings of alienation and rejection from his own family. He tells them that they seem to view him as a problem to be solved, and that he doesn't want to have to step over metaphorical glass to prove that he's not always wrong. He pleads with them to understand that it's not his fault he was born, and that he's confused too. He describes the physical and emotional abuse he's suffered at their hands, and their unwillingness to listen to his concerns or dreams. He finally tells them that he won't take his own life to validate what they've done, but that he won't be a part of their world anymore.
The song is a haunting tribute to the many people who feel misunderstood, rejected, and isolated by their families. The singer's words are full of pain and anger, but also resignation and acceptance. He seems resigned to the fact that his parents will never understand him, or listen to him, and that he will never be accepted for who he is. But he also finds comfort in the thought that someone, somewhere, will listen to him, and understand him. In the end, the song is a powerful reminder of the importance of love, acceptance, and understanding in our lives, and a call to all parents to listen to their children, and to love them for who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Mother and Father, if you're reading this now
Addressing parents who are possibly reading a letter left behind.
You probably just got home from God Knows where
Parents went out somewhere.
And Went into my room to tell me
They went into the writer's room.
How tired you both are and how tired I make you both
Parents are complaining that the writer tires them out.
Seem to think, I'm a problem to solve
Parents see the writer as a problem that needs fixing.
But I don't want to be this thing that has to
Writer doesn't want to be someone that's constantly problematic.
Step over glass to prove, I'm not always wrong
Writer doesn't want to have to go through extreme measures to prove they're not always at fault.
It's not my fault I was born
The writer is not to blame for their birth.
I tried to tear off my own skin and only made you confused
Writer acted out in a way that wasn't understood or properly interpreted by the parents.
Well, I am confused too; you act like you never use to
Writer doesn't understand why parents act differently than how they used to.
Hit me in anger, you broke my belief in any comfort or safety or sense of relief
Parents used to physically harm the writer causing them to feel unsafe and unloved.
You, you called me a liar, you called me a thief
Parents have accused the writer of lying and stealing.
I better run for my life, I'd rather live in the street
Writer would rather run away and be homeless than live in such an abusive environment.
You never listened to me; you only hear what you want to hear
Parents never listened to the writer, only hearing what they want to believe.
Remember the dream that I told you I had
Writer wants to remind the parents of a dream they once shared with them.
With the old man with the jacket, that had a navy patch
Describing the person in the dream as an old man with a specific patch on his jacket.
I pissed myself for a year; you said it's only a dream
Writer had a nightmare and had an involuntary physical response for a year but parents did not take it seriously.
You have to grow up sometime; you have to be a man like me
Parents dismiss the writer's concerns and expect them to be like them, dismissing their individuality.
A man like you who sticks his head in the sand to disappear
Referencing how the parents avoid facing their problems and try to hide from them.
Who thinks the danger goes away, if you can't see the things you fear
Parents think that if they ignore the dangers in their life, they will go away.
If I could be a man like that I'd stay and force you
Writer doesn't want to be like the parents, but if they were, they would force change.
To ignore all of these burns on my skin, that you confuse with discipline
Parents mistake physical harm as a means of discipline.
I won't destroy your illusion, destroy your mystic
Writer won't shatter the parents' illusion but would prefer they see the truth.
You'll have to learn to live without one more unfortunate freak
Writer would like the parents to be able to live without them.
You, You called me a loser, you called me sick
Parents have insulted writer, calling them a loser and sick.
I'd get more love, in the street, get more affection sucking dick
Writer feels they would receive more love on the streets or in a sexual situation than at home.
You never listened to me; you only hear what you want to hear
Reiteration of parents never listening to the writer.
I will not take my own life to validate what you have done
Writer will not harm themselves to prove something to their parents.
Won't let the sins of the Father become those of the son
Writer will not continue the cycle of abuse from the father to the son.
You, you called me depressive, you called me weak
Writer has been called depressive and weak by parents.
You're better off without the love of this unfortunate freak
Writer believes parents would be better off without them and their love.
You never listened to me; someone will listen to me
Writer believes someone outside of the parents will listen to them.
Someone will listen to me
Reiteration of the writer's belief that someone will listen.
Someone will...
Break in lyrics, indicating that someone will listen but it's unknown who or when.
Contributed by Daniel L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.