In 2001, DeGraw released his first album independently named Gavin Live.
In 2003, his first major studio album was released, entitled Chariot, on July 22nd. He released Chariot Stripped a year later, an album with the same songs, but the instruments brought down to a minimum. The album has so far peaked at #1 in two countries, in Denmark and on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. It went to #2 in Norway and #56 on the Billboard 200 and has benn certified Platinum. His first single, I Don't Want To Be, was released on December 14th 2004 and was the theme tune to the hit TV. drama series One Tree Hill. It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #10, the Billboard Pop 100 at #3, #6 in Norway and #38 in the UK, making it his only UK top 40 hit. It has been certified 2x Platinum, selling over 2 million copies. The second single, Chariot, was released on March 1st 2005 and made it to #1 on the Italian Airplay chart. It also did quite well in the US, hitting #30 on the Billboard Hot 100. The third single was Follow Through and it was released on November 17th 2005. It was used on several TV shows, including Scrubs, and was used on the Carte D'or, an ice cream company. The song peaked at #12 in Norway, #13 in Holland, #38 in Portugal and #52 on the Billboard Hot 100. The final single from the album, Just Friends was released in early 2006 and went to #21 in Holland.
DeGraw's second album, the self-titled Gavin DeGraw, was released on May 6th 2008. It debuted and peaked on the US Billboard 200 at #7, selling 66,000 copies in its first week. It also made #3 in Denmark, #8 in Norway and #13 in Sweden. The first single, We Belong Together, was featured on the soundtrack of the film Tristan & Isolde. It peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, In Love With A Girl, was released on February 12th 2008. It peaked at #5 on the US Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks, #22 in Holland, #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #32 in Canada. She Holds A Key was released next, in Mid-2008, and peaked at #29 in Holland. The next single, Cheated On Me, was released in September 2008 and peaked at #77 on the Billboard Pop 100. I Have You To Thank was the final single of the album, being released in early 2009.
His third album, Free, was released less than a year after Gavin DeGraw, on March 31st 2009, and was made in less than two weeks. It entered the Billboard 200 at #19, selling 29,000 copies. The first single, Stay, was released on March 11th 2009, through the internet.
His fourth album Sweeter was released on September 20th, 2011 and spawned lead single Not Over You which peaked at #18 on the Hot 100 and has been certified double platinum by the RIAA. Second singlek Sweeter reached #18 on Billboard's Adult Pop Songs chart. The final single from the album was Soldier.
Gavin released a live album on December 4th, 2012 entitled "Sweeter Live" singing some tracks from Sweeter and earlier favorites.
His current single Best I Ever Had is a song from upcoming fifth studio album Make A Move to be released on October 15th, 2013 in the US. The song has so far peaked at 28 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart.
I don't want to be
Gavin DeGraw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than a prison guard's son
I don't need to be anything other
Than a specialist's son
I don't have to be anyone other
Than the birth of two souls in one
Part of where I'm going is knowing where I'm coming from
Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do is think of me and I have peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms
Wondering what I've got to do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me
I'm surrounded by liars everywhere I turn
I'm surrounded by impostors everywhere I turn
I'm surrounded by identity crisis everywhere I turn
Am I the only one who's noticed?
I can't be the only one who's learned
I don't want to be
Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do is think of me and I have peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms
Wondering what I've got to do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me, ah
Can I have everyone's attention please?
If you're not like this and that, you're gonna have to leave
I came from the mountain
The crust of creation
My whole situation made from clay to stone
And now I'm telling everybody
I don't want to be
Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do is think of me and I have peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms
Wondering what I've got to do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me
I don't want to be, hey yeah, hey yeah
I don't want to be, oh
I don't want to be
I don't want to be, anything
Anything other than me
(Hey yeah yeah yeah) I don't want to be
(Hey yeah yeah)
(Hey yeah yeah yeah) I don't want to be
(Hey yeah yeah)
(Hey yeah yeah yeah) I don't want to be
(Hey yeah yeah)
(Hey yeah yeah yeah) I don't want to be
The song "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw is about the struggle of trying to fit in and be someone else other than oneself. The first verse suggests that the singer feels content being who he is, regardless of his background or the expectations of society. He recognizes that part of his identity comes from the experiences of his past and that knowing where he comes from is essential to knowing where he's going. The chorus emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and finding peace within oneself, rather than trying to conform to the expectations of others.
The second verse discusses the pressure to fit in and the negative influence of people pretending to be someone they are not. The singer realizes that he is not alone in his struggle and that others have noticed the same thing he has. The bridge of the song expresses the singer's desire to be himself authentically and unapologetically.
Overall, "I Don't Want to Be" is a song about embracing one's true identity, accepting yourself for who you are, and not letting the expectations of others dictate your life.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't need to be anything other
Than a prison guard's son
I don't feel the need to pretend to be anyone other than who I truly am, which is simply the child of a prison guard
I don't have to be anyone other
Than the birth of two souls in one
I don't feel the need to change my identity from the unique combination of my parents' souls
Part of where I'm going is knowing where I'm coming from
To know where I'm headed, it's important to understand my past and the experiences that have made me who I am
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms
Wondering what I've got to do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I'm exhausted from constantly feeling like I don't fit in or know my true purpose, and I'm done trying to be someone I'm not
I'm surrounded by liars everywhere I turn
I'm surrounded by impostors everywhere I turn
I'm surrounded by identity crisis everywhere I turn
Am I the only one who's noticed?
I feel like everyone around me is fake or trying to be someone they're not, and it's causing me to question my own identity
Can I have everyone's attention please?
If you're not like this and that, you're gonna have to leave
I'm asserting myself and declaring that I won't tolerate anyone who tries to change me or make me conform to society's expectations
(Hey yeah yeah yeah) I don't want to be
(Hey yeah yeah)
(Hey yeah yeah yeah) I don't want to be
(Hey yeah yeah)
(Hey yeah yeah yeah) I don't want to be
This repetition emphasizes my unwavering desire to be true to myself and not try to be anyone else
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gavin Degraw
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@king0n140
"Good 2010's shows."
-shameless
-breaking bad
-Dexter
-stranger things
-atlanta
-better call saul
-on my block
-game of thrones
-Empire
-psych
-Son's of Anarchy
-the walking dead and supernatural (but they definitely went on for to long)
"Comedy dramas 2010's"
-how I met your mother
-scrubs
"And if you where just looking for dramas 2010''s"
-gossip girl
-the fosters
-greys anatomy
-empire
-shameless
-the OC
@sophie8373
If you don't envisage Lucas with a basketball on a bridge when listening to this, did you even have a childhood!?
@myleshays4808
right man i miss one tree hill.
@Gapeaches77able
Ummm, yes.
@countyourmiracles.7734
😆😆😆
@aggelina5463
Sophie for real
@officerbutton9532
My friend took me to the River Court one night as a surprise. It was so cool to be there. Unfortunately it's been demolished
@monaechenielle
Shout out to all my One Tree Hill fans who are still listening to this in 2021!!!!
@nicholaskarageorgesirbeowu8277
I don't even know the show I just like the song .
@IzzyPeasyLemon
Now i just wanna watch OTH again 😅
@DomoDeelayO124
I’m watching it now 🤟🏾