Raye first attracted Nashville's attention as the lead vocalist on a string of independent singles in the 1980s. Billed as The Wrays, the act released a couple of singles on Mercury Records in the mid-80s before breaking up. Epic Records signed Raye as a solo act in 1990. A year later, the nostalgic ballad Love, Me hit No. 1, and by 2000, he charted 21 Top 10 hits for Epic. His first four studio albums, as well as his Greatest Hits, have been certified platinum. His best-known hits include Little Rock, about a recovering alcoholic, and I Think About You, about watching his teenage daughter grow up.
The Walls Came Down
Collin Raye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lights came on bright
Years of heavy weight
In a moment turned light
I'd thought love could only look dark
As if through a glass
I just turned into an open book
Readin' easy at last
A brick through a plate glass window
With a wrecking ball sound like old Jericho
Laid swift to the ground I'm not sure when
But baby you're how the walls came down
I've never trusted much
Got my reasons like most
Stayed well protected from
Every thorn on each rose
Taking those wayward trips
Only to turn back and run
Sailing all my relationships
Could not have dreamed up this one
Tonight my walls came down
You make sense to me in a world where
Just a few things do make sense to me
In your heart I'll put my trust
Through whatever is in front of us
Tonight my walls came down
Ooh baby you're how the walls came down
Oh baby you're how the walls came down
The lyrics of Collin Raye's song The Walls Came Down express the feeling of opening up emotionally after years of being guarded and protected. The singer describes the relief of finally letting go of their emotional walls and allowing love and trust to enter their life. The line "I'd thought love could only look dark as if through a glass" suggests that the singer had a negative perception of love, as if looking through a dark, tinted glass. However, with the presence of the right person, the darkness conquered and love brought light into the singer's life. The metaphor of walls coming down represents the singer's vulnerability and realization of the possibility of needing others in their life. The lyrical language "brick through a plate-glass window" and "wrecking ball sound like old Jericho" paint the image of the suddenness and force of the singer's emotional breakthrough.
The song embodies the theme of the transformative power of love and the emotional walls that people construct around themselves to protect themselves from harm. It is ultimately about breaking down those walls and finding the person that helped tear them down. The song encourages people to have hope for love and that though the journey may be hard, the end result may be worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
Today the air cleared up
After a long period of foggy confusion, everything becomes clear and understandable in my life.
The lights came on bright
After being in darkness for so long, finally a light of hope shone for me.
Years of heavy weight
I carried the burden of my past for years.
In a moment turned light
Suddenly, my heavy burden turns light as I found love.
I'd thought love could only look dark
I believed love would bring darkness and pain into my life.
As if through a glass
I could only see love through a distorted, unclear lens.
I just turned into an open book
I become vulnerable and allow myself to be completely open to love.
Readin' easy at last
Love finally starts to make sense to me, and it feels effortless.
Tonight my walls came down like
My emotional barriers and defenses crumbled.
A brick through a plate glass window
It happened suddenly and drastically, like a brick shattering glass.
With a wrecking ball sound like old Jericho
The impact was so significant, it felt like the walls of the biblical city of Jericho fell down again.
Laid swift to the ground I'm not sure when
The walls came down quickly and without warning.
But baby you're how the walls came down
Your love is the catalyst that caused my walls to come down.
I've never trusted much
Due to my past experiences, I have difficulty trusting others.
Got my reasons like most
I have valid reasons for being guarded, just like many people.
Stayed well protected from
I kept myself emotionally protected from potential pain and heartbreak.
Every thorn on each rose
I was wary of every romantic relationship and the potential for it to end in hurt and pain.
Taking those wayward trips
I took emotional risks in past relationships hoping they would work out.
Only to turn back and run
However, I always backed out at the first sign of trouble or conflict.
Sailing all my relationships
I approached past relationships like a ship sailing, never being sure if they would reach their destination.
Could not have dreamed up this one
I never expected to find a relationship as wonderful as the one I have now.
You make sense to me in a world where
You bring clarity and understanding to my life when everything else is confusing and chaotic.
Just a few things do make sense to me
There are only a few things in this world that I can truly comprehend and feel secure about.
In your heart I'll put my trust
I have complete faith and confidence in your love and affection.
Through whatever is in front of us
Regardless of the challenges and obstacles ahead, I know our love will persist.
Ooh baby you're how the walls came down
My walls came down because of you, my love and partner.
Oh baby you're how the walls came down
Your love has allowed me to let go of my emotional barriers and fully open myself up to a loving relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COLLIN RAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind