I Shall Be Released
Joe Cocker Lyrics
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They say ev'ry man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above the wall
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Down here next to me in this lonely crowd
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him cry so loud
Calling out that he's been framed
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say ev'rything can be replaced
Yet ev'ry distance is not near
So I remember ev'ry face
Of ev'ry man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
The song "I Shall Be Released" is a highly metaphorical song talking about the struggle of a man and his longing for freedom. Joe Cocker explains how "They say ev'ry man need protection, they say ev'ry man must fall," indicating the risks that come with survival for every human being. Nonetheless, he adds that he sees his reflection "Some place so high above the wall," indicating how he sees himself in the future, free and happy.
The contrast between the heavy-hearted bluesy rhythm, Cocker's voice, and the lyrics emphasize the singer's plight, while the chorus of "I see my light come shining, from the west down to the east, any day now, any day now, I shall be released" mark his hope that eventually, this burden he carries will be gone, and he will be released from it. The lines "Down here next to me in this lonely crowd, is a man who swears he's not to blame," showcases that every person is wrongly accused of something at some point, and how this incident takes the form of a shared experience and, in some ways, connects people.
Cocker's choice to highlight that "ev'rything can be replaced, yet ev'ry distance is not near," reinvents the song's topic and suggests that the places the mind and soul have been, the experiences lived, and the pain and struggles, can never be fully erased, intending that freedom is variable and can mean different things to different people.
Line by Line Meaning
They say ev'ry man need protection
The world is a dangerous place and everyone needs help to survive.
They say ev'ry man must fall
Everyone will face challenges and hardships in life.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Despite the difficulties he has faced, the singer has managed to maintain his identity and sense of self.
Some place so high above the wall
He has risen above the boundaries that others have set for him, achieving success in his own way.
I see my light come shining
He is optimistic about the future and believes that his talents and abilities will lead him to success.
From the west down to the east
His success will come from all directions, indicating that it will come from a variety of sources.
Any day now, any day now
He believes that success is just around the corner and that it could happen at any moment.
I shall be released
He believes that he will finally achieve his goals and gain the freedom that he has been seeking.
Down here next to me in this lonely crowd
Despite being in the company of others, he still feels isolated and alone.
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
Others around him are also struggling and feel like they are not responsible for their circumstances.
All day long I hear him cry so loud
The desperation and pain of others is constantly present in his life, making it difficult to focus on his own struggles.
Calling out that he's been framed
The man next to him feels like he has been unfairly blamed for something he did not do.
They say ev'rything can be replaced
People often believe that material possessions and relationships can be easily replaced, but this is not always true.
Yet ev'ry distance is not near
Although some things can be replaced, the emotional and psychological distance created by loss or separation cannot be easily overcome.
So I remember ev'ry face
The singer has been deeply affected by the people who have hurt him, and these memories will always be with him.
Of ev'ry man who put me here
He feels like the people who have hurt him are responsible for his current situation, and he will not forget what they have done to him.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bigdoggy4744
Back in my dark stage stumbling through drugs booze and continous depression I was in a pub high and getting higher when I heard Joe Cocker. His voice and his rendition of cry me a river that day changed so much for me in 3 mths I was on the path to a new life 46 years later I still love every song Joe sang. Thanks brother for being my inspiration if there is a god I hope he or she looks after you bless you my main man Mr Joe Cocker.
@misstery5942
Like he's singing your own heart out when you feel depressed
@ganatas9597
I'm older now but came back after my mother passed away. Thanks mum for your guidance. Love
@LivingHarmony100
the memory of loved ones is available to good guys, friend, take care of yourself
@jea1855
😢
@MarkEastman
Man those days will never exist again. I was so lucky to have lived and witnessed them
@TheFruitloop186
You have been released Brother Joe. Never has a person fulfilled his mission on earth as you have. You've brought joy to millions, you've touched the hearts of the masses. We owe you a debt of gratitude that we will never possibly be able to repay. Just hope you know how much you were loved and will always be loved. Go in Peace.
@lorebern6538
Julia S wonderful what you have written
@sianchetty1361
As Lore said, you wrote a beautiful comment.x
@dominicdevereaux1712
Julia S. That was truly beautiful Julia. He gets me a little misty eyed. I left Alsace, France at 16, on my own. Would have loved to have made the Woodstock thing, but I was hit in Quang-Tri Vietnam. 20 August 69. PEACE-BROTHER.