At the heart of his appeal is a lyrical honesty and devotion to his fans seldom found in today's mainstream musical landscape. And his fans love him for it. As testament to this artist-fan connection, out of 1,700 artists entered in the SSL/Eventful/Tunecore "Lay It Down And Mix It Up In The UK" Contest, Gavin took first place, winning by a margin of over 13,000 votes and more than doubling the number of votes cast for the second place finisher. Having won, Gavin traveled to Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios to begin work on his new studio album (due for release in 2013). Like his previous offerings, the album is sure to please fans and critics alike, showcasing his poignant lyrics, true musicianship, and further setting him apart from other artists in the piano singer-songwriter genre. Talented, down-to-earth, and with songs that touch the soul, Gavin is truly one to watch in 2013.
Territory
Gavin Mikhail Lyrics
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I will never stop, take stock, and believe in
All the ones who pine away
For the very state you hope to achieve in...
That place you hide
Where the damage gets you by
And if you can
I am listening to you repeating everything they believe... And why I bring the weight of the world crashing down on me... And it may be that you have found that everything you need... But I'll never be territory...
And you wander every day
Through the lines and pages, text of the season
And you hope to find a way
But I will not listen up or believe in...
That place you hide
Where the damage gets you by
And if you can
You'll think that...
I am listening to you repeating everything they believe... And why I bring the weight of the world crashing down on me... And it may be that you have found that everything you need... But I'll never be territory...
But all my life I've lived at the price of taking flight away from the man, true faith, end times, and promised land "If you would only take my hand..."
I am listening to you tell me everything I believe... And why I'm free from the weight of your conscience, ideology...
I'm listening to you repeating everything they believe... And why I bring the weight of the world crashing down on me... And it may be that you have found that everything you need... But I'll never be territory...
The lyrics of Gavin Mikhail's song Territory showcase a complex narrative about the struggle between following one's own path and living up to the expectations of others. The singer begins by acknowledging that while someone else is busy giving their life away, they are steadfastly committed to remaining true to themselves and their beliefs. The song goes on to explore the ways in which people search for meaning and fulfillment, often through clinging to the ideas of others or seeking solace in the familiar. Ultimately, however, the singer asserts that they will never be "territory," that is, a place where someone else can find refuge and validation, and instead remain true to their own sense of self.
The lines "I am listening to you repeating everything they believe/And why I bring the weight of the world crashing down on me" capture the tension between the push to conform and the desire to chart one's own course. The singer feels burdened by the scrutiny of others and the weight of their expectations, yet refuses to abandon their own sense of self in order to please them. The repeated invocation of the phrase "That place you hide/Where the damage gets you by" suggests that the pursuit of validation through external sources can lead to a sense of false security and ultimately do more harm than good.
Ultimately, the song reflects the struggle between the desire for external validation and the need to remain true to oneself, a struggle that is all too common for many. By asserting their own sense of self, the singer refuses to be reduced to "territory," instead forging their own path and living their truth.
Line by Line Meaning
While you give your life away
As you sacrifice your life for something, I will keep moving forward, having belief in myself and those who yearn for the same things as you do.
I will never stop, take stock, and believe in
I will always persevere, take inventory of my successes and failures, and have faith in myself and those who share my ideals.
All the ones who pine away
Everyone who is longing for the same thing that you are.
For the very state you hope to achieve in...
The state of mind and way of life that you aspire to achieve.
That place you hide
The part of yourself that you keep hidden from others.
Where the damage gets you by
The place in your mind where your past traumas have affected you.
And if you can
If you have the option to do so.
You'll think that...
You will believe that...
I am listening to you repeating everything they believe...
I hear you echoing the beliefs of others.
And why I bring the weight of the world crashing down on me...
I understand why I feel burdened by the weight of the world.
And it may be that you have found that everything you need...
Perhaps you have discovered everything that you were searching for.
But I'll never be territory...
But I cannot be controlled or claimed by anyone.
And you wander every day
You search every day.
Through the lines and pages, text of the season
Through written words and changing beliefs.
And you hope to find a way
You hope to discover a path forward.
But I will not listen up or believe in...
But I will not listen to or have faith in...
But all my life I've lived at the price of taking flight away from the man, true faith, end times, and promised land "If you would only take my hand..."
I have always fled from societal norms, religion, apocalyptic ideas, and perfect places, but I may be willing to follow you if you lead me down the right path.
I am listening to you tell me everything I believe...
I hear you repeating my own beliefs back to me.
And why I'm free from the weight of your conscience, ideology...
This is why I am free from the burden of your beliefs and way of thinking.
Contributed by Julian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.