In 1980 Fred Small embarked on his song writing/performer/recording artist career. His songs are in the folk tradition for peace, healing and empowerment. They address a variety of issues from race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, anti-Semitism, materialism, poverty to preserving the environment. Fred also designed and led workshops on song writing and use of singing in social change movements. He produced six albums, and published two songbooks, and his songs have been published in the Friends Hymnal and the UUA Race to Justice and Welcoming Congregation curricula.
Gravity
Fred Small Lyrics
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Look up
So you see yourself stalking the city
Staring straight down at your feet
You notice the scuff on your shoeshine
You avoid all the holes in the street
And you pity the drunk in the doorway
And you take it as a sign of insincerity
When someone says "Have a nice day"
But when gravity's dragging you down
When gravity's dragging you down
When gravity's dragging you down
Look up
Look up where the sun hits the skyline
Where the thunderheads warn of a squall
You don't need to believe in a miracle
It's a miracle to be here at all
Where the bus driver grins through his mustache
And an old woman's lost in her book
And a man is possessed of a paisley vest
That insists upon a second look
And a little girl in a baseball uniform
Is leading her father who's blind
And a man who is muttering under his breath
Is having a very hard time
And when gravity's dragging you down
When gravity's dragging you down
When gravity's dragging you down
Look up
I have looked in the eyes of the damned and despised
Seen souls no different from mine
And what I perceive in this world I believe
Is no more than I'm looking to find
So when gravity's dragging you down
When gravity's dragging you down
When gravity's dragging you down
Look up
The song "Gravity" by Fred Small encourages listeners to change their perspective when they feel downtrodden by gravity, either physically or emotionally. The first verse describes a person's myopic view of the world, noticing only the scuffs on their shoes and avoiding the holes in the street. They ignore the plight of those less fortunate, like the drunk and the panhandler. But the chorus repeats the phrase "Look up" three times, urging the listener to redirect their gaze towards the beauty of the city skyline and the everyday miracles around them. The second verse paints a vivid picture of the diversity of humanity, from the bus driver with his mustache to the blind father guided by his daughter in a baseball uniform. The final verse acknowledges the darkness of the world, but reminds us that we all have the capacity for compassion and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
When gravity's dragging you down
When life is weighing heavily on you
Look up
Take a moment to see the world around you, beyond your own troubles
So you see yourself stalking the city
You are so focused on your own problems that you don't notice anything else
Staring straight down at your feet
You are not aware of your surroundings, but only of yourself
You notice the scuff on your shoeshine
You are so fixated on imperfections and small details that you miss the bigger picture
You avoid all the holes in the street
You are so cautious and guarded that you miss out on experiences
And you pity the drunk in the doorway
You are quick to judge and pity others
While you wave the panhandler away
You dismiss people in need of help
And you take it as a sign of insincerity
You are cynical and assume people are being fake when they wish you well
When someone says "Have a nice day"
When someone tries to show kindness or positivity toward you
Look up where the sun hits the skyline
Direct your focus to the beauty all around you
Where the thunderheads warn of a squall
Even in the midst of potential danger or stormy times, there is still beauty to be found
You don't need to believe in a miracle
You can find amazement in the everyday without needing grandiose events
It's a miracle to be here at all
Simply existing and experiencing life is a miracle in itself
Where the bus driver grins through his mustache
People's energy can be contagious, and even small moments of joy are worth noting
And an old woman's lost in her book
People have their own lives and are just as complex as you are
And a man is possessed of a paisley vest
People express themselves in different ways, and you never know what you may discover if you look closer
That insists upon a second look
There is value in examining things more closely instead of writing them off at first glance
And a little girl in a baseball uniform
Children can lead us and teach us just as much as adults can
Is leading her father who's blind
People may have their own struggles that you are not aware of
And a man who is muttering under his breath
People have complex inner lives that you may not be aware of
Is having a very hard time
Everyone is fighting their own battles
I have looked in the eyes of the damned and despised
The world is full of pain and suffering, and people who are struggling still have value
Seen souls no different from mine
At the core, all people are fundamentally the same
And what I perceive in this world I believe
It's possible to be optimistic and look for positivity in the world
Is no more than I'm looking to find
What you focus on shapes your perception of the world
Lyrics © FREDERICK E. SMALL D/B/A PINE BARRENS MUSIC
Written by: FRED SMALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind