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.
Lay Me On The Water
Gavin DeGraw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
waiting for the moment to arise.
I know that no man could ever fly,
just lay me on the water.
Colors paint great pictures in my dreams,
shinning of the rust that I have seen.
But I don't need to show them to the world,
And the water is calm,
I'll just float.
And if its rough, and high,
I'll pretend that I'm a boat.
Lay me on the water.
Oh candy seems to roll off of my tongue,
I view all good citizens as one.
But I don't feel like leading some campaign,
just lay me on the water.
And the water is calm,
I'll just float.
And if its rough, and high,
I'll pretend that im a boat.
Lay me on the water.
A gentle on the wing where I want to be,
listen to the breeze flow,
lay me on the water.
And the water is calm,
I'll just float.
And if its rough, and high,
I'll pretend that I'm a boat.
Lay me on the water.
Lay me on the water,
lay me on the water,
lay me on the water,
lay me on the water.
In "Lay Me on the Water," Gavin DeGraw reflects on his desire for peace and a break from the chaos of life. The song echoes the sentiment that sometimes all we need is a moment of stillness and calm to recharge our batteries. The opening lines suggest an almost spiritual quest for clarity as DeGraw looks towards the water for a sign. He longs for a moment of epiphany, where he can find an answer to his questions or a purpose for his life.
DeGraw goes on to express that he doesn't feel the need to prove himself or show the world anything. He's content to simply be, to lay himself down on the water and let it carry him wherever he's meant to go. The metaphor of the water as a calming force resonates throughout the song, with DeGraw comparing himself to a boat navigating rough waters. In the end, he seeks only to be at peace, to listen to the gentle flow of the breeze, and be reclined on the water.
Overall, "Lay Me on the Water" is a beautiful representation of the need for stillness in our busy and often overwhelming lives. It's a reminder that sometimes we need to let go, trust the current, and allow ourselves to be carried away by it.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinking bout' the water for a sign,
Contemplating signs in life through the tranquility of water.
waiting for the moment to arise.
Patiently anticipating the right time and opportunity.
I know that no man could ever fly,
Acknowledging the limits of human capability.
just lay me on the water.
Content with being grounded and finding peace through water.
Colors paint great pictures in my dreams,
Finding inspiration and creativity in dreams.
shinning of the rust that I have seen.
Reflecting on past experiences and how they shape present thoughts.
But I don't need to show them to the world,
Preferring to keep personal experiences to oneself.
just lay me on the water.
Finding solace and serenity in water.
And the water is calm,
The tranquility of water offers peace.
I'll just float.
Enjoying the calmness of life and going with the flow.
And if its rough, and high,
Acknowledging life's challenges and turbulence.
I'll pretend that I'm a boat.
Finding resilience and strength through difficult times.
Oh candy seems to roll off of my tongue,
Speaking with a sweetness and pleasing manner.
I view all good citizens as one.
Seeing similarities and unity in all good people.
But I don't feel like leading some campaign,
Preferring to avoid being a leader or spokesperson.
just lay me on the water.
Finding peace and tranquility in water.
A gentle on the wing where I want to be,
Desiring a gentle and peaceful existence.
listen to the breeze flow,
Taking time to appreciate and enjoy nature.
lay me on the water.
Finding peace and calmness in water.
Lay me on the water,
Reinforcing the desire for peace and serenity.
lay me on the water,
Repeating the desire for tranquility.
lay me on the water,
Reiterating the preference for peace and calmness.
lay me on the water.
Emphasizing the comfort and serenity found in water.
Contributed by Elliot L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shantiel Wright
Why isn’t this on an album? I’ve loved it for so long. Thank goodness for YouTube so I could hear it again!! I had it on an old mix CD when i was a teenager. I’m 34 now lol
Charity Paul
I love this song!!! I wish it was recorded on an album...
DANG JOS
This and 'Dreams' should be on an album!
Karen Stephens
This song makes me cry it is so beautiful and I miss the Gavin in scruffy jeans and a T-shirt with long hair.
Karen Stephens
I wish he would record this song.
Something Clever
Criminally underrated
Anja Xje
I think it was Paradiso (Amsterdam). Miss the 'free' Gavin..
K van L
Yeah Ansy (ahum) the time he used to wear jeans and boots on stage... sigh (was this picture taken at WATT R'dam?)