In 2014, Dean successfully auditioned for the The X-Factor Australia. Out of all the contestants on the show, he had the highest number of singles on the iTunes charts including a no.1 with his performance of George Ezra's Budapest. Although ultimately coming second place to Marlisa, Dean was quickly offered a contract with Sony Music and released his debut single Coming Back on October 24, 2014.
Dean cites Airbourne, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, First Aid Kit, Joss Stone, Son House and Stevie Ray Vaughan as his musical influences.
Coming Back
Dean Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With demons in my head.
I feel you from my skin to bone,
With darkness in the air.
Chasing down your silhouettes,
I find there's nothing left.
Facing down a lonely road,
But I'll keep coming back!
You can steel my mind,
Twist it for a while,
But you can't take my pride.
You can watch me crack,
Throw me way off track, but I'll keep coming back.
You can steel my mind,
twist it for a while,
but you can't take my pride.
You can watch me crack,
Throw me way off track,
But I'll keep coming,
I'll keep coming back!
Streets of heaven never had a name.
I found my own way there.
I know I'm bound to lose my way again,
Cause love and war is never fair.
Facing down a lonely road,
Into the pure unknown.
But I'll keep coming back!
You can steel my mind,
twist it for a while,
but you can't take my pride.
You can watch me crack,
Throw me way off track,
But I'll keep coming back!
You can steel my mind,
twist it for a while,
but you can't take my pride.
You can watch me crack,
Throw me way off track,
But I'll keep coming,
I'll keep coming back!
Take my mind,
Take my mind to rest!
You can steel my mind,
twist it for a while,
but you can't take my pride.
You can watch me crack,
Throw me way off track,
But I'll keep coming back!
You can steel my mind,
twist it for a while,
but you can't take my pride.
You can watch me crack,
Throw me way off track,
But I'll keep coming,
I'll keep coming back!
I'll keep coming back!
I'll keep coming back!
The song "Coming Back" by Dean Ray is an emotional ballad that touches on themes of resilience, hope, and perseverance. The opening lines, "I'm sinking like a resting stone, with demons in my head," evoke a sense of weight and burden that the singer is carrying. He confesses to feeling darkness in the air, which could suggest a sense of hopelessness or despair. However, he finds strength in his connection to someone else - he feels them "from [his] skin to bone" - and asserts that he will keep "coming back" no matter what obstacles he faces.
The second verse further explores the themes of perseverance and resolve. The singer acknowledges that "love and war is never fair," but asserts that he will keep coming back even if he loses his way. The final lines, "Take my mind to rest," suggest that the singer is struggling with some kind of mental health issue, but he refuses to be defeated by it. Instead, he will keep pushing forward and returning to the things and people that give him strength.
Overall, the song is a powerful statement about the human capacity for resilience and hope, even in the face of adversity. It acknowledges that life can be difficult and that there will be times when we feel like giving up. However, it ultimately celebrates our ability to keep fighting, to keep coming back, and to find beauty and meaning in the struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sinking like a resting stone.
I feel weighed down and heavy, like I have hit rock bottom.
With demons in my head.
I am tormented by my own thoughts and haunting memories.
I feel you from my skin to bone,
I am deeply affected by your presence, every fiber of my being is touched.
With darkness in the air.
The atmosphere is heavy and oppressive, filled with gloom and negativity.
Chasing down your silhouettes,
I am constantly pursuing an elusive image or ideal.
I find there's nothing left.
I discover that my efforts are futile and have led me to a dead end.
Facing down a lonely road,
I am confronted with a difficult and solitary path.
Into the pure unknown.
I am headed towards a new and uncharted territory.
But I'll keep coming back!
Despite the challenges and obstacles, I am determined to persist and not give up.
You can steel my mind,
Although you can influence my thoughts,
Twist it for a while,
Manipulate them temporarily,
But you can't take my pride.
My self-respect and dignity cannot be taken away from me.
You can watch me crack,
You can observe me as I break down emotionally,
Throw me way off track,
Mislead me and divert me from my goals,
But I'll keep coming back.
Nevertheless, I will persevere and continue fighting.
Streets of heaven never had a name.
I had to find my own path towards my ideals and goals.
I found my own way there.
I had to establish my own unique approach to reaching my objectives.
I know I'm bound to lose my way again,
I recognize that I may become lost and confused again in the future.
Cause love and war is never fair.
I understand that life is inherently complex and challenging, and that fairness is not guaranteed.
Take my mind, Take my mind to rest!
Please provide me with peace and calm, and alleviate my mental struggles.
I'll keep coming back!
I am tenacious and will persist through any obstacles.
I'll keep coming back!
I am determined to fight through adversity and not give up.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Cloud9
Written by: DAVID NICHOLAS MUSUMECI, ANTONIO FRANCESCO EGIZII, ROSS FRASER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C.H1998
That was honestly one of the most amazing things I've ever listened to. Good job dean
Black Kitty
Sublime! I want to hear a "clean" version without all the background noise. This is so Dean.... speechless!
Kayla Rose
OMG this acoustic version is just sublime. I love it :-) I so want to buy this version it's that amazing :-)
Lyndall DN
Habe saved this as my alarm. Love waking up to this. I think he sounds so much better when he just does his own thing. Not being made to confirm record companies. This clip is evidence. Please record music video of this version Dean. Black and white and just you and your guitar. It's what makes you . YOU. Like your introduction to us all. You just a man and his guitar.
Alex M
His falsetto is killer. Nuff said.
Skull Star Customs
Wow, I am loving the acoustic version of this song, Seems so much more to who he really is as an artist. Really hope you release this version, I like it even more than the original.@deanrayfanclub @DeanPritchard#DeanPritchard #Deanray #Comingbackacoustic #acoustic #comingback #deanray
Rikki Leigh
Absolutely amazing.
Nicole Dye
This is honestly the best thing I have ever heard. I cannot believe how fucking great he is. I want to see him perform. Or serenade me to sleep every night...
vivienf22
I do like this version, being as you said very Dean. However the original is in my head all the time & some of his songs from the show has this upbeat stuff on it. Taylor Henderson did the same thing with his single, mesmerising but too slow for general sales. The fans who were already there will love this stuff, but new ones will want the song that went to no 1. I cannot wait to see what comes up, I love some of the slow soft stuff around the internet he as written. Exciting things ahead for Dean. Hope US release is one of them..
Michael Wilson
He needs a new manager as now Dean Ray should have top hits ,touring and exposure in USA and UK. YOu are simply fantastic to suit all genres. Go chase your dreams man and make sure those behind you are supporting you not using you