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.
Why Do The Men Stray
Gavin DeGraw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do the women pray
Why do the men fight
Why do the women sympathize
Whoa it was easier before I loved
Before this heart was turned to stone
Before this blood was stirred and blood was spilled
Why do the birds sing
What do they call that thing
Why do the bombs boom
We're running out of living room
Our needs getting needier and needier
More lies are told until they're truth
Until the messages are massacred
Old men get all their killing done with youth
Why do the men stray
Why do the women pray
Why do the men fight
Why do the women sympathize
All these wooden houses
Light themselves on fire in turn
Oh but someday there will be nothing left to burn
Oh someday there will be nothing left to burn
Whoa
Whoa
Someday someday someday someday
The song 'Why Do The Men Stray' by Gavin DeGraw is a contemplative piece about the state of humanity and the reasons why people behave the way they do. The lyrics ask questions about gender roles and societal expectations that lead to conflict and heartache.
The first stanza asks why men stray and women pray, and why men fight and women sympathize. These lines suggest that men are more prone to infidelity and violence, while women are more likely to turn to religion and compassionate acts. Such stereotypes have their roots in societal expectations and cultural norms that have been perpetuated over time.
The second stanza tries to explain the reasons behind this behavior. It speaks of an easier time before love and heartbreak, when people were not alone and did not experience so much pain. The lines "More lies are told until they're truth, until the messages are massacred," suggest that powerful people have molded society to fit their own interests and that individuals are caught up in their game. The ending lines "Old men get all their killing done with youth" may suggest that war is a tool used by those in power to maintain their position.
The third stanza takes on a more environmental message, questioning why birds sing and bombs boom. It shows the desperation of a world where living space is running out, and people's needs are getting more and more insatiable. The imagery of wooden houses lighting up and the repetition of the line "someday there will be nothing left to burn" is a cautionary tale about the consequences of greed and consumption.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on society, gender, power, and the environment. It asks questions without necessarily giving clear-cut answers, leaving the listener to ponder the complex and interconnected issues facing the world today.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do the men stray
Questioning why men cheat on their partners
Why do the women pray
Wondering why women turn to religion for guidance
Why do the men fight
Questioning the reasons behind men's aggression
Why do the women sympathize
Asking why women are compassionate towards others
Whoa it was easier before I loved
Life was simpler before falling in love and experiencing heartbreak
Before this heart was turned to stone
Before experiencing pain and heartbreak that made the singer emotionally numb
Before this blood was stirred and blood was spilled
Before encountering violence and conflict
No one was ever meant to be alone
Humans are not meant to live in isolation
Why do the birds sing
Questioning the reason behind birds' vocalization
What do they call that thing
Curiosity about the meaning behind birds' songs
Why do the bombs boom
Questioning why wars and bombings occur
We're running out of living room
The world is becoming overpopulated and limited resources are being overused
Our needs getting needier and needier
Humans' wants and desires are becoming increasingly insatiable
More lies are told until they're truth
Individuals and institutions perpetuate falsehoods until they are widely believed
Until the messages are massacred
Truths are silenced or distorted
Old men get all their killing done with youth
Older people send young men to war, knowing the risks and costs while avoiding the actual fighting
All these wooden houses
Referring to flimsy and vulnerable structures
Light themselves on fire in turn
Metaphor for how people bring destruction upon themselves and others
Oh but someday there will be nothing left to burn
If people continue their destructive ways, eventually there will be nothing worthwhile left in the world
Someday someday someday someday
Repetition emphasizing the inevitability of change and the unknown future
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GAVIN DEGRAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind