Freedom
GRAY Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Take your eyes off me
There's nothing here to see
Just trying to keep my head together
And as we make our vow
Let us remember how
There's nothing good that lasts forever.

Time out on the running boards
We're running
Through a world that's lost its meaning
Trying to find a way to love
This running
Ain't no kind of freedom.

Feel the touch of grief
You stand in disbelief
Can steal the earth from right
Beneath you
And falling in so far
They know just where you are
Yeah but there ain't no way
To reach you.

Time out on the running boards
We're running
Through a world that's lost its meaning
Trying to find a way to love
This running
Ain't no kind of freedom.
Of freedom
Yeah yeah

It's time to clean these boots
Fold up there parachutes
The words goodbye but I can't say it
The end is close at hand




I think we understand
There ain't no use in trying to delay it.

Overall Meaning

The song "Freedom" by Gray is a contemplative reflection on the transience of life, love and freedom. The lyrics are surprisingly insightful for a song that has a simple melody and the repetition of the chorus. The opening line, "Take your eyes off me, there's nothing here to see, just trying to keep my head together" implies a sense of vulnerability and one that is perhaps overwhelmed by the circumstances. It sets the mood for the rest of the song, which takes a philosophical view of our existence. The singer is trying to find meaning in a world that has lost its way, and he uses the metaphor of 'running' to describe the human condition. The chorus emphasizes this point, "Trying to find a way to love, this running ain't no kind of freedom". He seems to be saying that the human race is always in a hurry, always moving forward but never really taking the time to appreciate the valuable things in life. The touch of grief mentioned in the third verse implies a loss that was sudden and unexpected. The lines "Can steal the earth from right beneath you, and falling in so far, they know just where you are, yeah but there ain't no way to reach you" suggest that sometimes life can be cruel and unpredictable, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot control it. The final verse is a call to accept the inevitability of our end, and to perhaps make peace with it. The line, "The end is close at hand, I think we understand there ain't no use in trying to delay it" is a somber reminder of our own mortality. The song concludes with the chorus, reminding us to take time to appreciate the small things, and to seek out love as the ultimate freedom.


Line by Line Meaning

Take your eyes off me
Please look away, there isn't anything interesting to see here.


There's nothing here to see
There is no significant event happening right now.


Just trying to keep my head together
I am struggling with my own thoughts and trying to remain focused.


And as we make our vow
During this promise we are making,


Let us remember how
We need to recall the past experiences of being committed.


There's nothing good that lasts forever.
All wonderful things in life are temporary.


Time out on the running boards
A pause in running away from problems.


We're running
Trying to avoid a prevailing issue in our lives.


Through a world that's lost its meaning
The world that we live in doesn't have meaning any longer.


Trying to find a way to love
Attempting to uncover the best way to demonstrate love.


This running
Evading our problems isn't a positive solution and won't fix them.


Ain't no kind of freedom.
Running away from problems won't make us free.


Feel the touch of grief
Experiencing the effects of mourning.


You stand in disbelief
Being in a state of disbelief.


Can steal the earth from right
Events can cause us to lose our foundation.


Beneath you
It can happen to anyone.


And falling in so far
Reaching rock bottom.


They know just where you are
Others are aware of our situation.


Yeah but there ain't no way
Unfortunately, there is no solution


To reach you.
To help alleviate your troubles.


Of freedom
The real type of freedom.


Yeah yeah
The artist's stand on this issue.


It's time to clean these boots
It's about time to prepare and face the issue head-on.


Fold up their parachutes
It's time to come to terms with the fact that we can't avoid the problem anymore.


The words goodbye but I can't say it
The farewell speech felt tough for the singer to deliver.


The end is close at hand
The outcome is near.


I think we understand
We are both fully aware of the current situation.


There ain't no use in trying to delay it.
Avoiding the topic won't make it disappear and won't help in any manner.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID GRAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@man_of_lawlessness

Mate, I really wish you wrote then recorded this album in a similar tempo (BPM) as your White Ladder album.

I used a website to split the tracks up so that your instruments and voice were isolated.

I was left with 8 tracks from your Kangaroo song. I loaded each track into the DAW I own then muted each track except the drum loop.
I changed the BPM so it roughly matched the tempo from Babylon. Then one by one I unmuted the other tracks including your vocals.

It took me roughly 15 to 20 mins to get the vocals to sound like you and all I can say is wow.

This song's amazing anyway but when the BPM is changed it sounds like a top 10 mate.

When you're not doing anything and have some spare time give it a go you'll be shocked at just how great and relevant it sounds today



All comments from YouTube:

@simonharesnape6578

His best album by far , and this song sums up the last moments of somebody who's made a big mistake

@teresablood5651

Almost 17 years ago, my boyfriend had to move to a different city. I was pregnant. Every time I’d visit him, I’d listen to this CD on the way home. Still hits me in the heart now, as my husband sleeps in our bed and I’ve just gotten our kids off to school.

@solyd2402

great story. great song.

@hopebgood

This album saved my sanity. I'd been violently mugged and would go to bed at night thinking about why it had to be me and would wake up first thing thinking about it too. For some reason this album got me past that. It's kinda cool that this album gives everyone good thoughts. hug I wish ya all the best

@sl11tenderhand

​@@hopebgoodSorry you had to go through that, Chief. Hope you are where you want to be now.

@judithedwards3395

It's a very moving CD. I hope you find peace in your heart xo

@patty109109

In truth I didn't love this album as much as its prior, but this long stands out as a true gem.

@judithedwards3395

By listening to the lyrics, I feel as human beings, we can all relate to David Grey's poignant words.

@jamespereira7540

No better songwriter. Ever. And the voice stylings, and musicianship. Inexplicable. Ingenius.

@MagicPie2013

I love this man. Greatest concert I've been to, hands down.

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