It wasn’t until college that Griffin realized his gift for translating his emotions and words into music. He wrote his first song, “Might Go Crazy”, at age 18 during an emotionally trying time for his family. It was his first experience writing and sharing his music, which allowed him to see the impact it could have on others. After studying Marketing at the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin for two years, Griffin decided to transfer to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. At Belmont, he was able to follow his true passion for music through their Music Business program where he blended his passion for business with his love for music and songwriting.
While finishing school, Griffin was able to make some essential connections allowing him to further himself as a singer/songwriter. The summer before his final semester Griffin interned at Leo Burnett in Chicago as a music supervision intern. After hearing Griffin’s music, his boss encouraged him to audition for American Idol Season 12 just two days before the audition took place. The chance paid off and Griffin ended up going all the way to Hollywood and having his audition aired on national TV.
After Idol, Griffin had a fortuitous meeting while on a plane to L.A. where he struck up a conversation with Keith Urban’s bass player, Jerry Flowers. The two ended up coproducing Griffin’s first two independently released singles, “Makes Me Hold On to You” and “Getaway”. It was during this same time that New York Times best-selling author Colleen Hoover contacted Griffin in hopes he’d be willing to write an original album for her new novel, Maybe Someday. The album was released in March 2014 alongside the novel and garnered enough interest to hit the Billboard Heatseeker Chart as well as hold the number two spot on the iTunes singer-songwriter chart for two weeks straight.
The book and album gained such a following that a book/concert tour was put together for the summer of 2014, solidifying the already expanding fan-base. Since then, Griffin has been honing his sound and has recently released a music video to go along with his newest single “Set Me Free”. The Video was filmed in his hometown with the help of some talented friends and filmmakers, Mark Mellens and Jake Brusha.
In early 2015, Griffin signed with The Movement Group, a Nashville based management company. He is currently in the process of recording his new album, which is due out this summer. You can join the campaign and see the progress of the record here: pledgemusic.com/projects/griffinpeterson.
Set Me Free
Griffin Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been running round
I've been laying down
I've been underground with the devil
You've been saving me like a ship at sea
Saying follow me to the light now
So here we go
A little more
Here we go
A little more
You set me free
Shook the dust right off me
Locked up tight you found the key
And now I see
Ain't no place I'd rather be
I got you and you got me
You set me free
Hard to know the cost of it
But when you've lost something
Then you know there's a price tag
Think you mighta been born to
Be my come through when
I can't keep it all together
So here we go
A little more
Something I've been waiting for
Here we go
A little more
You set me free
Shook the dust right off me
Locked up tight you found the key
And now I see
Ain't no place I'd rather be
I got you and you got me
You set me free
I was sitting low
I didn't know where I could go
Thought the bottom was the ceiling
No remedy to heal it
A hail mary to a sin
A new start to an end
You set me free
Shook the dust right off me
Locked up tight you found the key
And now I see
Ain't no place I'd rather be
I got you and you got me
You set me free
"Set Me Free" by Griffin Peterson is a song about being saved by someone from a dark place. In the song, the singer talks about how he has been running around and laying down, feeling like he has been living with the devil. However, there is someone who is saving him, someone who is like a ship at sea, leading him toward light. Together they are going deeper into the light little by little, something that the singer has been waiting for. The song is more focused on the chorus, where the singer tells this person that they have set him free. The person they are talking to has changed their life, shaken the dust off them, unlocked them from their tight place, and shown them a new life, one of freedom. In the end, the singer realizes that there is no place he'd rather be than with this person.
The opening of the song sets a dark tone, with the singer describing how he has been living with the devil. This sets up the rest of the song, which is about finding someone who can save the singer from this darkness. The song is about the idea of finding someone who can set you free and bring light into your life. The song is also about finding hope in situations where there seemed to be none. The singer feels like he has hit rock bottom but has found someone to help him rise from the ashes.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been running round
I've been going from place to place
I've been laying down
I've been feeling defeated and not taking action
I've been underground with the devil
I've been in a dark place struggling with negative influences
You've been saving me like a ship at sea
You've been helping me navigate through difficult times like a captain saving a ship at sea
Saying follow me to the light now
Encouraging to trust and follow them towards a brighter future
So here we go
Beginning a journey or adventure together
A little more
Taking one step at a time, moving steadily forward
Something I've been waiting for
An opportunity or change that has been hoped for
You set me free
You helped me overcome my struggles and limitations
Shook the dust right off me
Removed my doubts and fears, making me feel refreshed and renewed
Locked up tight you found the key
Assisted in unlocking hidden potential or finding solutions to problems
And now I see
I have a clearer perspective and understanding
Ain't no place I'd rather be
Content and happy with the present moment
I got you and you got me
We are supporting and relying on each other
Hard to know the cost of it
Difficult to understand the true price of something until it's gone
But when you've lost something
Only after experiencing loss do you realize its value
Then you know there's a price tag
You understand the true cost of losing something important
Think you mighta been born to
Feeling like destiny brought us together
Be my come through when
The person I rely on when I am in need of help
I can't keep it all together
When I am overwhelmed and need support
I was sitting low
Feeling down and helpless
I didn't know where I could go
Feeling lost and unsure about what to do
Thought the bottom was the ceiling
Feeling trapped and like things could not get any worse
No remedy to heal it
Feeling like there was no solution or cure for my problems
A hail mary to a sin
Feeling desperate and turning to extreme solutions, even if they go against beliefs or morals
A new start to an end
Creating a fresh beginning after a difficult time or situation
Writer(s): Samuel James Martin, Griffin Raymond Peterson
Contributed by Tristan T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@henriettah4971
this man deserves everything . I'm in love with his music and voice. thank you Colleen Hoover ❤
@khairnz08
this is why Maybe Someday will always be my favorite book of Colleen! Thank you Griffin!!! ❤
@outnumberedinaz
I've said it before & I'll say it again…I could listen to Griffin's voice all day everyday.
@melinaalbin7575
You will go far Mr Griffin Peterson ! Thank you for your work on Maybe Someday. Amazing idea, beautiful songs, surprising voice. Love it.
@booksnsvt
How I desperately wish we had studio versions of that one song in Maybe now, "wherever we go" and also of "Maybe now" 🥺 I'm so emotionally attached to all these songs knowing the meanings behind them and how they were wrote(ofc not REALLY Ridge and Sydney wrote them for each other but I like to see it that way) 🥲💝
@danielasotoj3743
I just finished reading chapter two of Maybe Now!! I can't wait for more of you.
@karlenasanchez9376
All I can see is a great singer with an incredible talent. Who deserved better
@carmens5537
You have an amazing voice! Thank you Colleen :')♡
@abriannamarchesotti4060
I love Griffin's voice! I could listen to him all day long, and that damn smile! I love this song and video so much!
@yisbeliamador3787
I love this song, I love the video, I love your voice!! It's just perfect