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.
Say I Am
Gavin DeGraw Lyrics
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Slow down, the world is too loud and this loneliness too hard
We should let it out, just to be closer
Well, I need you now, over and over
We could stay up in the Sunday room
As we share these words unspoken
When you ask me if I'm in love with you
I would say I, I would say I am
Slowly, show me what you hold and what you hide
Tell me that you really believe and I'll see it in your eyes
But when you've hurt so much, you're scared to get closer
You can let it out, over and over
We could stay up in the Sunday room
As we share these words unspoken
When you ask me if I'm in love with you
I would say you must be joking
I would say I, I would say I am
I could show you the river, we'll wash in the water
Give me your faith, there's so many waves
We could stay up in the Sunday room
As we share these words unspoken
When you ask me if I'm in love with you
I would say you must be joking
I would say I, I would say I am
I would say I am
I could show you the river, we could wash in the water
In Gavin DeGraw's song "Say I Am," the lyrics convey a feeling of vulnerability and desire to connect with someone on a deeper level. The first verse suggests a yearning to be close to someone, while acknowledging the difficulty in quieting the noise of the world and the loneliness that brings. The chorus emphasizes the depth of feeling, declaring that if asked if in love, the answer would always be yes. The second verse builds on this, encouraging the other person to slowly reveal themselves and expressing a willingness to listen and support, even in the face of previous hurt or fear. Finally, the bridge brings a sense of playfulness and adventure, inviting the other person to join in exploring a river and all it holds.
The song overall captures the complicated emotions that come with wanting to both be seen and accepted for who we are, as well as see and accept someone else in return. It acknowledges that trust and connection can be difficult, but that the possibility is worth taking the risk. By presenting vulnerability as strength rather than weakness, "Say I Am" serves as a powerful and affirming message about the importance of connection and communication.
Line by Line Meaning
One way, one way to the center of your heart
There is only one way to truly connect with someone, and that is by gaining access to the center of their heart
Slow down, the world is too loud and this loneliness too hard
Life can be overwhelming and lonely, so it's important to take a break and slow down
We should let it out, just to be closer
By sharing our deepest thoughts and feelings, we can become closer to those we care about
Well, I need you now, over and over
The artist is in need of someone's support and affection repeatedly
We could stay up in the Sunday room
As we share these words unspoken
The Sunday room is a safe space where the artist and their partner can communicate without judgment and without holding anything back
When you ask me if I'm in love with you
I would say you must be joking
I would say I, I would say I am
The singer is so in love with their partner that anyone questioning that fact seems ridiculous
Slowly, show me what you hold and what you hide
Tell me that you really believe and I'll see it in your eyes
The singer wants their partner to open up and show them their true selves, and they will know it's real when they see it in their eyes
But when you've hurt so much, you're scared to get closer
You can let it out, over and over
The artist acknowledges that past hurt can make it difficult to trust someone and get closer, but they encourage their partner to share and let it out anyway
I could show you the river, we'll wash in the water
Give me your faith, there's so many waves
The artist is offering their partner a chance for renewal in the form of bathing in a river, but acknowledges that there will be challenges along the way
I would say I am
I would say I am
I could show you the river, we could wash in the water
The artist confirms their love for their partner and their willingness to help them through life's struggles
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gavin DeGraw, John Shanks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind