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.
Meaning
Gavin DeGraw Lyrics
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In the darkness of the window
I can hardly get to sleep
Wish for the hour that
The nighttime soon shall pass
And the morning dew will bring us
To a day our souls can last
There's a meaning to the world
We're giving love
Situation candlelight
Enough to see the bits around you
But it's never very bright
Stare at a memory
You, through the grapevine, heard the truth
It's good to learn from your mistakes
But that only works in youth
Love has a reason
There's a meaning to the world
We're giving love
Restless minds, curtain calls follow fanfares
Troubled hearts, just a walk down the hall
Restless hearts, you take a punch just to land one
Troubled minds, it's only fair after all
Mounting, the trail, but you've got it in sight
Sometimes the only way is jumping
I hope you're not afraid of heights
Reach in my pocket for a bill that isn't there
And to face all of the undoings
Still isn't more than I can bear
Love has a reason
There's a meaning to the world
We're giving love
Giving love
Love, love
It's always been good to me
It's always been good to me
Love has reason
There's a meaning to the world
We're giving love
The song "Meaning" by Gavin DeGraw is a beautiful ballad about the struggles of love and the light that it can bring into our lives. The lyrics are an introspective reflection on the pain and beauty of love. The first verse of the song sets a melancholic and lonely tone, showcasing the singer's desperation for the night to end and for the light to come back. The phrase, "Hail to the light that my baby watches me," highlights the singer's need for love and acceptance, even in his moments of darkness.
The chorus of the song is where the real meaning shines through. The repeated phrase, "Love has a reason, there's a meaning to the world," is a reminder that no matter how chaotic and painful life may seem, there is always a purpose and meaning behind it. Giving love is the way to understand the world and the people we interact with. The verse about "Situation candlelight" creates a visual of a dimly lit room where the singer is lost in thought, probably lost in reminiscing a past lover. However, the line "Stare at a memory, you, through the grapevine, heard the truth" shows how memories and rumors can taint our past and lead us down the wrong paths.
The song concludes with the lyrics "Love, love, it's always been good to me," which remind the listener that despite the struggles and heartaches that come with love, it's still a force to be reckoned with, and it's still worth fighting for.
Line by Line Meaning
Hail to the light that my baby watches me
I am grateful for the light that my loved one brings into my life, even when I feel lost or uncertain.
In the darkness of the window
Even when it seems like there is no hope or way out, there is always a glimmer of light or possibility.
I can hardly get to sleep
When my mind is troubled, it is difficult to find peace and rest.
Wish for the hour that
The nighttime soon shall pass
And the morning dew will bring us
To a day our souls can last
I long for the moment when the darkness and struggles of life give way to a new day of hope, renewal, and lasting happiness.
Love has a reason
There's a meaning to the world
We're giving love
Love is not random or meaningless, but rather it is a fundamental force that gives our lives purpose and direction, and we must choose to give and receive love in order to find fulfillment.
Situation candlelight
Enough to see the bits around you
But it's never very bright
Even when we have just enough light or insight to see the situation or challenges we face, it is often not enough to fully understand or overcome them.
Stare at a memory
You, through the grapevine, heard the truth
It's good to learn from your mistakes
But that only works in youth
When we reflect on past experiences or beliefs, we may realize that what we thought was true was actually just hearsay or mistaken assumptions, and while it is helpful to learn from our mistakes, it is often easier to do so when we are young and have not yet developed fixed ways of thinking or feeling.
Restless minds, curtain calls follow fanfares
Troubled hearts, just a walk down the hall
Restless hearts, you take a punch just to land one
Troubled minds, it's only fair after all
Sometimes our thoughts and emotions can be volatile and unpredictable, and we may encounter obstacles or setbacks even when we have put in a lot of effort or care, but this is a natural part of life and can help us grow and appreciate the good times more.
Mounting, the trail, but you've got it in sight
Sometimes the only way is jumping
I hope you're not afraid of heights
When we face challenges or opportunities that seem daunting or risky, it can require courage and faith to push forward and take a leap of faith, but this can also be the key to overcoming our fears and achieving our goals.
Reach in my pocket for a bill that isn't there
And to face all of the undoings
Still isn't more than I can bear
Even when we encounter unexpected setbacks or losses, we have the strength and resilience to keep moving forward and face whatever comes our way.
It's always been good to me
Overall, I have found that love and the many experiences and challenges of life have been enriching, fulfilling, and ultimately worth it.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GAVIN DEGRAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind