Beginning violin lessons at the age of 8, Stratton followed quickly with cello lessons at 10, the piano at 11, and guitar at 16. It was through the piano that Stratton discovered a passion for writing and performing songs. After moving to Los Angeles in 1995, Casey signed with Magic Records. Work then began on the recordings that would eventually become his first full-length release, The Giver and the Grave Digger, which was released in 1996.
In 1997, after deciding not to renew his contract with Magic Records, Stratton began his first self-produced album, Lily Sleeps.
In the summer of 2000 Stratton moved to Chicago where he began a nearly two year hiatus from the record industry. He immersed himself in writing and recorded an independent album called The Winter Children. Many of these tracks would be re-recorded later and included on his Sony release Standing at the Edge.
Stratton's 6th studio album, "DIVIDE", was released in October 2005 on Stratton's independent label, Sleeping Pill Music. His next album, The Crossing, was released in April 2007. This was followed by Orbit, digitally released on February 5, 2008.
Memories and Photographs was released in September 2009, followed by A Winter Moon, an album of holiday music, in December 2009. Casey's next project, Myth & Stars, largely based on Greek Mythology, was released on September 21, 2010.
WILD SOUL
Casey Stratton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watched you turn as if to go
With no way out, I gave up the ghost
Memories that paint these walls
This is where we made our home
There's no way out
Go now
I collapsed inside myself
Now I can't get out
I am so lost
Packed your things and I left word
For you to come when I'm at work
This is it
For real this time
I can't cage your wild soul
I can't stop the tornado
I can't change what's become me
To get back nothing
I can't stop what's coming
I came home to an empty room
So much of me was wrapped in you
And I don't know what to do
People say it's for the best
But it feels as if I've failed this test
Could I have done more?
Here it is
Here it is
In the opening lines of Casey Stratton's song Wild Soul, the singer-writer portrays the aftermath of a breakup. The first two lines are filled with a sense of disappointment as they describe the departure of the person he was with. He then admits the sense of surrender and defeat he feels, knowing there is no way to change the outcome. Memories of the past and the fact that they made their home in that place weigh heavy on him as he contemplates the reality of the end of the relationship. When the other person leaves, he says that he is stranded and feels like he has lost himself, unable to move on from the situation. His inability to contain his partner and the forces that separate them is highlighted in the lines "I can't cage your wild soul, I can't stop the tornado" as he comes to terms with the fact that he can't change the situation.
The second stanza sees the singer of the song packing and leaving messages, hoping to gain some closure. He questions whether he could have done more and what he could have done differently to prevent this situation. The chorus reaffirms his belief that there is no going back and that no matter what happens, he can't stop the future from coming. The final lines emphasize the sense of finality and the fact that this is the end, as he declares "Here it is, Here it is".
Line by Line Meaning
Early morning light had come
The dawn of a new day has started
Watched you turn as if to go
Saw you getting ready to leave
With no way out, I gave up the ghost
I felt trapped and gave up hope
Memories that paint these walls
The memories of our life together are ingrained in this space
This is where we made our home
This is where we built our life together
There's no way out
I feel trapped and hopeless
Go now
Please leave now
As I heard your car back out
I listened as you drove away
I collapsed inside myself
I felt emotionally and mentally crushed
Now I can't get out
I feel stuck in my thoughts and emotions
I am so lost
I feel completely directionless
Packed your things and I left word
I gathered your belongings and left a message for you
For you to come when I'm at work
For you to collect your things when I'm not home
This is it
This is the end
For real this time
It's over for good this time
I can't cage your wild soul
I cannot control your free spirit
I can't stop the tornado
I cannot prevent the chaos and destruction that follows you
I can't change what's become me
I cannot change who I've become after being with you
To get back nothing
I have lost everything trying to hold on to you
I can't stop what's coming
I cannot prevent the inevitable future
I came home to an empty room
I returned to a space that was void of your presence
So much of me was wrapped in you
I was emotionally invested in you to the point of losing myself
And I don't know what to do
I am lost and confused without you
People say it's for the best
Others believe it's better this way
But it feels as if I've failed this test
I feel like I have not succeeded in this relationship
Could I have done more?
Did I do everything possible to save our relationship?
Here it is
This is the reality of our situation
Contributed by Audrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.