Hideaway
Herbie Hancock; Stanley Clarke Lyrics

One day the boy decided
The singer of the song has reached a point where he cannot hide his feelings anymore and decides to reveal them

To let them know the way he felt inside
He decides to express his true feelings to the people around him

He could not stand to hide it
The boy was struggling with not being able to express his true emotions and could no longer keep them hidden

His mother, she broke down and cried
The boy's revelation was too much for his mother to bear and she cried

Oh, my father
The artist is calling out his father to address the disconnection between them

Why don't you talk to me now?
The boy is seeking communication and understanding from his father

Do you still cry yourself to sleep?
The boy wonders if his mother is still unable to cope with his revelation and is crying herself to sleep

Are you still proud of your little boy?
The artist is searching for love and acceptance from his parents

Don't be afraid
The boy encourages his parents not to be afraid of his feelings

(Be afraid)
The repetition of this phrase suggests that the boy recognizes the fear his parents have and is reminding them to overcome it

You don't have to hideaway
The boy urges his parents to accept him and not feel the need to hide him away or deny his feelings

The boy, he was rejected
The people the artist cared for did not accept his revelation and he faced rejection

By the people that he cared for
The singer was rejected by the people he loved and trusted

It's not what they expected
The singer's revelation was unexpected and not what the people around him were prepared for

But he could not keep it secret anymore
The singer was tired of hiding his true self and decided to reveal his feelings

Far from home now
The artist is physically distant from his home, indicating a possible emotional distance as well

Waiting by the telephone
The artist is waiting for some sort of communication or connection

There's a new world
The singer is suggesting that there is a new world of possibilities and acceptance beyond his current situation

You can make it on your own
The singer is encouraging himself to be independent and make it on his own without relying on the acceptance of others

Don't be afraid
The boy repeats this phrase, urging himself and others not to be afraid of expressing their true selves

Love will mend your broken wing
Love has the power to heal emotional wounds and mend broken relationships

Time will slip away
Time will continue to pass whether one is hiding or expressing their true self, so it is best to be honest

Learn to be brave
The singer is encouraging himself and others to be brave and stand up for who they truly are