Lewis is best known for his 2016 single "Waves", which was certified 7× Platinum in Australia in 2019, and his 2018 single "Be Alright", which reached number one in Australia and was certified platinum within four weeks of release, eventually reaching 11× Platinum in Australia and multi platinum worldwide, including double platinum in the United States.
He began writing songs at a young age and played in various bands before launching his solo career in 2014. He released his debut EP, "A Place We Knew", in 2015. The EP's lead single, "Waves", was a major hit in Australia, reaching number four on the ARIA Singles Chart.
Lewis's music is characterized by its catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and blend of pop, folk, and soul influences. He has been praised for his powerful vocals and his ability to connect with his audience on an emotional level.
Lewis is currently touring in support of his debut album, "A Place We Knew", which was released in 2019. The album has been met with critical acclaim and has further solidified Lewis's status as one of Australia's most popular and promising young artists.
Half a Man
Dean Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was wrong to think I'm right
But when I told her it was over
My darling I had lied
I've been running from my demons
Afraid to look behind
I've been running from myself
Afraid of what I'd find
But how am I supposed to love you
When I don't love who I am?
And how can I give you all of me
When I'm only half a man?
'Cause I'm a sinking ship that's burning
So let go of my hand
Oh, how can I give you all of me
When I'm only half a man?
And now I'm stuck in this hotel room
By a cold neon light
I've been waiting for an answer
But it won't come tonight
And every bottle I have stolen
Lay shattered on the floor
What's broken can't be whole anymore
But how am I supposed to love you
When I don't love who I am
And how can I give you all of me
When I'm only half a man
'Cause I'm a sinking ship that's burning
So let go of my hand
And how can I give you all of me
When I'm only half a man?
And no one can ever hurt me
Like I've hurt myself
'Cause I'm made out of stone
And I'm beyond help
Don't give your heart to me
But how am I supposed to love you
When I don't love who I am?
And how can I give you all of me
When I'm only half a man?
'Cause I'm a sinking ship that's burning
So let go of my hand
And how can I give you all of me
When I'm only half a man?
Hmm, hmm hmm, hmm, hmm
The song "Half a Man" by Dean Lewis is about a man who is struggling with his own self-loathing and insecurities. He knows that he has hurt the woman he loves by lying to her about his feelings, but he feels that he cannot love her fully because he does not love himself. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and despair as the man realizes that he is only "half a man" and cannot offer his partner the love and commitment she deserves.
The song begins with the man expressing regret for lying to his partner about his love for her. He acknowledges that he was wrong to think he was right and that he has been running from his own demons, unable to face the truth about himself. The chorus of the song features the man questioning how he can truly love someone else when he cannot love himself. He feels that he is only "half a man" and cannot offer his partner the full commitment and love she deserves. The second verse of the song finds the man stuck in a hotel room, waiting for an answer that will not come. He has turned to drinking to cope with his pain and is left with shattered bottles around him. The song closes with the man realizing that he cannot accept love from anyone until he is able to love and accept himself.
Overall, "Half a Man" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the struggle of self-acceptance and the difficulty of loving someone else when you cannot love yourself.
Line by Line Meaning
I was wrong to say I loved her
Admitting a mistake by confessing that telling 'I love you' was wrong.
I was wrong to think I'm right
Acknowledging that being stubborn and thinking inflexibly was doing wrong all along.
But when I told her it was over
Saying that breaking up was a mistake and that there is a desire to take back the word.
My darling I had lied
It was a lie to tell her that it is over when it's really not.
I've been running from my demons
Running away from one's problems and issues that are making life hard.
Afraid to look behind
Being scared of facing one's own past and regrets.
I've been running from myself
Running away from one's own true self and identity.
Afraid of what I'd find
Being afraid to confront the truth about oneself.
But how am I supposed to love you
Expressing confusion about how to be in love with someone.
When I don't love who I am?
How is it possible to love another person when one cannot accept or love oneself.
And how can I give you all of me
Expressing how it might be difficult to offer all of someone's self to another person.
When I'm only half a man?
Feeling like half a person, wishing to be whole.
'Cause I'm a sinking ship that's burning
Compares oneself to a burning and sinking ship.
So let go of my hand
Urging the other person not to hold on to something that is most likely going to get ruined or hurt them.
Oh, how can I give you all of me
Questioning again how to offer all of oneself to someone they love.
And now I'm stuck in this hotel room
Being trapped in a place where you don't want to be.
By a cold neon light
By a cold artificial light that is lacking warmth and humanity.
I've been waiting for an answer
Waiting for something or someone to make sense of things or help solve an issue.
But it won't come tonight
Feeling hopeless in getting an answer tonight.
And every bottle I have stolen
Drinking alcohol to help numb the pain.
Lay shattered on the floor
The aftermath effect of addiction and depression is illustrated by the broken bottles on the floor.
What's broken can't be whole anymore
Metaphor for the person that no matter how much love is offered, knowing that they are broken, they will never be able to be whole again.
And no one can ever hurt me
Feeling unbreakable.
Like I've hurt myself
Knowing that they have inflicted the most pain and hurt to oneself.
'Cause I'm made out of stone
Metaphor for being emotionally numb and having hardened oneself to deal with pain and hurt.
And I'm beyond help
Feeling helpless and beyond repair.
Don't give your heart to me
Warning their lovers not to offer their hearts to be broken.
Hmm, hmm hmm, hmm, hmm
Verbal expression of sadness and pain.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Hayley Marie Warner, Jon Cobbe Hume, Dean Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susieq2424
All who resonate with this song I pray your self worth is worth getting yourself help…don’t run any more and fix you! It takes YOU to make this change and get the help. My heart goes out to all that are hurting🫂❤️🫂❤️
@Reecehorwood-dk9tb
😊
@pearlglover660
I need help changing I can't do it by myself rough 😭
@MariusBalan-t2c
If you are reading this I hope you will find the pace and love that you deserve one day but promise me that you will try and try until you will make it god bless ❤
@angelwilson7270
“No one can ever hurt me like I’ve hurt myself !!” That line hits so hard knowing i have stayed when I should have left ! 😞
@euxmods
" how am I supposed to love you when I don't love who I am?"
Thats so real, this song describes me in perfect detail and how i feel.
@liizs2863
I tried so hard to get him to see his worth, but he resisted me all the way. I tried to fix him, but it wasn't up to me. And he blamed me for his sadness because I couldn't just let him go. He wants nothing to do with me, even though he hurt me so. All I tried to do was love him, and all he did was take advantage. Instead of changing for the better, he stayed as he was, and still even though he's moved on, he's still the same man that I loved. He isn't any better, and still thinks I'm to blame. He turned down therapy, he never took my tears to heart. He was half a man, and he stole my heart. Now I'm half a woman and don't know where to start.
@le-unetonly9984
I'm sorry... I was that man in another story... I'm slowly getting myself to that side of the bridge, but as I'm getting there the crushing weight of losing her is slowly creeping in. This is the price I pay. I hope You're are happy wherever you are ❤
@MysticTower01
This is one of my favorite songs!
@skyguy_0438
Me, a 2004 italian boy that faked every smile since i entered school at 6 years old. A boy that just wants someone that love me, not as a friend or a family member.