How To Save A Life
Fray Lyrics
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He walks, you say sit down, it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left, and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
You begin to wonder why you came
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Let him know that you know best
Cause after all, you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And I pray to God he hears you
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life
The Fray's "How To Save A Life" is an emotional song about the frustration of not being able to save someone from their own destructive behaviors. The lyrics speak to a situation where a friend is struggling with inner turmoil and the singer is at a loss for how to help. The opening lines set the scene of a conversation where the friend is being confronted by the singer, but both parties know that it might not lead to a resolution. The singer wonders where they went wrong and lost their friend along the way. The lyrics express the regret and guilt of not being able to prevent the friend's descent into bitterness and self-destructive behavior.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "Where did I go wrong?" and shows how the singer is questioning themselves and their actions. They feel responsible for not being able to stop their friend from self-destructing. The lines "I would have stayed up with you all night, had I known how to save a life" express the singer's willingness to help their friend if only they knew how to.
In the final verse, the friend lashes out, raising their voice in frustration. The singer tries to diffuse the situation by suggesting two possible routes - either the friend can continue on their current path or they can break away from destructive influences. The song ends with the singer still questioning where they went wrong and how they could have saved their friend's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Step one, you say we need to talk
The beginning of a conversation that must occur
He walks, you say sit down, it's just a talk
A conversation that requires sitting down and being vulnerable
He smiles politely back at you
A positive response but with underlying pain
You stare politely right on through
The realization that something is not right
Some sort of window to your right
A way out but it's not taken
As he goes left, and you stay right
A separation of paths
Between the lines of fear and blame
Navigating between two difficult emotions
You begin to wonder why you came
Questioning if it was worth it
Where did I go wrong?
Reflecting on past mistakes
I lost a friend
Regret for not maintaining a relationship
Somewhere along in the bitterness
The point of no return
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Willing to put in the time and effort to save the relationship
Had I known how to save a life
Realizing the inability to save a friendship
Let him know that you know best
Arrogance and overconfidence in knowing what's best for the other person
Cause after all, you do know best
Repeating the false belief that you have all the answers
Try to slip past his defense
Attempt to break down the other person's walls
Without granting innocence
No excuses or absolving the other person of their mistakes
Lay down a list of what is wrong
Pointing out errors and flaws
The things you've told him all along
Repeating past mistakes
And pray to God he hears you
Hoping for a response or breakthrough
As he begins to raise his voice
A sign of tension reaching its peak
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Deescalating the situation and offering an ultimatum
Drive until you lose the road
Leaving everything behind for a fresh start
Or break with the ones you've followed
Ending relationships with mutual acquaintances or friends
He will do one of two things
Anticipating the other person's response
He will admit to everything
Taking responsibility for their actions
Or he'll say he's just not the same
Revealing a deeper issue or underlying problem
And you'll begin to wonder why you came
Questioning the value of coming together in the first place
How to save a life
The overwhelming desire to save a relationship
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ISAAC SLADE, JOSEPH KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@youknowitsbosko2146
When I was in highschool my Mother was a huge Fray fan and got me hip instantly. We used to listen to this one in particular a lot. She had a habit of helping people, and it often took a lot out of her. I think this song sort helped her feel her way through the 'muck' so to speak. She had a lot of her own issues and I think helping others took the spotlight off of that. She knew how to save others, but couldn't seem to save herself. She drank a lot unfortuantely. As time went on, that grew into substance abuse, and eventually addiction. She still played this song a lot though, trying to remain positive.
Last year in April, the 5th, she lost that fight.
Things are different now. This song is different now. I still love it, but I find it very hard to listen to at times. I still have the memories, pictures, old voicemails I refuse to delete, but not her.
I keep going because I feel that I have to, for her. Some days are easy, some days are really, really, hard. I have lots of questions, lots of things to say that I will never get to. In time things will settle, life will return to normal, or whatever the new normal will be.
Now, this song has found me again, at a time where it seems I have to save my own life.
This ones for you Mom, and for me, and for anyone else struggling, for those worried about loved ones, whoever needs it.
Please keep going. <3
@ArcadiaOccult
I'm so sorry sweet pea...
"Runes of comfort for the bereaved"
by Ralph Blum
"I am the life and the light and the way-
The Earth is my garden.
Each of the souls I plant as seeds germinate and flower in its own season, and in each I am fulfilled.
There is no cause for grief when a bloom fades but only rejoicing for the beauty it held and praise that my will is done and my plan served.
I am one with all creatures and none is ever lost, only restored unto me having never left my side at all.
For what is it mortal cannot be separated from its source.
I am with you all,
And each of you is a channel for my light.
Feel My Love enfold you now and forever more."
@ArcadiaOccult
I'm so sorry dear... I lost my Dad to cancer last October... š„
"Runes of comfort for the bereaved"
by Ralph Blum
"I am the life and the light and the way-
The Earth is my garden.
Each of the souls I plant as seeds germinate and flower in its own season, and in each I am fulfilled.
There is no cause for grief when a bloom fades but only rejoicing for the beauty it held and praise that my will is done and my plan served.
I am one with all creatures and none is ever lost, only restored unto me having never left my side at all.
For what is it mortal cannot be separated from its source.
I am with you all,
And each of you is a channel for my light.
Feel My Love enfold you now and forever more."
@Kirio10145
Someone. Like this comment when the song is 20 years old
Im sorry grandpa. I should cherished your life when youre still alive.
The only time i remembered being in the same place as when im with my grandma.
Rest in piece.
Grandpa
@javonmccovery3081
LYRICS:
Step one, you say we need to talk
He walks, you say sit down, it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left, and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
You begin to wonder why you came
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Let him know that you know best
'Cause after all, you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And I pray to God he hears you
And where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life
āš¾
@ojayify
So I was reading these comment, and I just felt like God wanted me to put this,
He loves you soo much, jesus didn't come for the righteous, but the sinners and broken, (like me )
At the moment I'm going though things but jesus never changes, no matter what it is, he said take heart for I have over come the world
Psalm 139 no matter how dark things you are going through, to God, the dark is still light
I just pray that you guys would take a time to just sit down for a min and talk to your creator, I defo need to every day
Bless
Jesus loves you, even if you think there is no one else does
@thedarkestlight4563
In the past year alone:
-figured out that my girlfriend I was together with for 5 years, only cared because she felt sorry for me
- figured out one of my best friends was an empath and every problem of mine was her's, I could never look at her eyes, because she would always look back and start to cry
- moved away from best friends that I new half my life
- I went to an after school teen center, on my last day, the manager had everybody throw a big departure party
-I was head of an after school Magic The Gathering club, on my last day, everybody gave me something that I will never give/throw away. A custom build deck box that said "May your deck be as good as your friendship".
- my childhood home was put on the market, because we were finding a new home.
-emailed one of my friends from Germany (the place I moved from) and told her that I missed her, and she replied that she didn't even notice that I moved.
No matter what, never give up hope. Things will always get better. I don;t expect anyone to read my problems, but if you do, I hope that you never have to endure the pain that I felt.
@jhaber..2025
Itās scary how fast time flies. You just blink twice and the song you love is almost two decades old.
@coffeehazelnut7019
So true. Time goes by so fast
we donāt even realize it
@likeurlife
2005! Nostalgia, memories when life was easier simpler times
@Illbeheretomorrow
So True
@syedmuhammadfaheem8662
true
@AVSFAITHFUL25
So real bro. I saw these guys live 8 years ago in Denver. I love this band so much
@John_FMTV
I canāt remember this song being that deep..
@morganfreeman256
I get you manšš»
@orangecrushprod7607
Love the vids, but yeah its very deep
@nathanbeaubrun6751
Oh shit can u make a rebuld for an mls team.