Before the release of his E.P. Kevin spent his time on the road playing the piano for another fellow singer-songwriter, Trent Hancock. The tour life opened exciting opportunities like playing before indie heavy hitters Joe Brooks, Jason Reeves and Parachute. Upon the return of the tour was the release of his debut E.P. where he finally got to focus on his solo career. It’s not to uncommon to see a crowd of people surrounding Kevin on a Friday night, he plays weekly at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. With songs like “Angel” and “You and I”, these inspirational songs showcase his solid musicianship and creates the perfect cinematic scene to escape to when cruising down on the beach side.
guarded
Kevin Daniel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
though I'd never felt the burn before
and all these years I begged for vengeance
and was only left with wanting more
but I can't be whole until I let all this anger go,
a silent strain I've carried long enough
I can't be with you, I don't even want to
cause I'm ready to love
I've been guarded long enough
It's taken a lot to forgive you
oh it's taken me so long
I tried in vain to forget you
oh I tried everything
but I won't be free until I've made peace with never knowing
what went wrong and was the fault in me
I can't be with you, I don't even want to
I just wish your ghosts were gone
cause I'm ready to love
I've been guarded long enough
I've been guarded long enough
I've been guarded long enough
I've been guarded long enough to know I'm ready
I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready now
The lyrics of Kevin Daniel's "Guarded" reveal the struggles of a person who has been carrying the weight of their past traumas for too long. They've been hurt before, but they never let it hold them back until now. The persona confesses that all these years, they have been seeking vengeance, but they found that it only left them wanting more. The silent strain that they've been carrying for so long is finally taking its toll on them, and they know that they can't be whole until they let go of all the anger they have been harboring.
The persona then turns to a past relationship that has been haunting them even after it ended. They can't be with the person anymore, but they just wish that the ghosts of the relationship would be gone so that they can move on and love again. They admit that they have been guarding themselves for too long, and they are finally ready to open up to love again.
The chorus repeats the line, "I've been guarded long enough" several times, emphasizing that the persona has been holding themselves back for far too long. They acknowledge that it's taken a lot for them to forgive the person who hurt them, and they've tried everything to forget them but to no avail. However, they know that they won't be truly free until they've made peace with never knowing what went wrong and whether it was their fault.
Overall, "Guarded" is a vulnerable reflection of the pain of carrying past traumas, the struggle to let go of anger, and the desire to move on from past relationships. It's a testament to the strength it takes to forgive and let go, and the hope that comes from being ready to love again.
Line by Line Meaning
I've never been the kind to hold back
I have always been open and honest in expressing myself.
though I'd never felt the burn before
although I have not experienced this level of hurt before.
and all these years I begged for vengeance
I have been seeking revenge for many years.
and was only left with wanting more
but this desire for revenge only intensified.
but I can't be whole until I let all this anger go,
However, I realize that I cannot heal until I release this anger.
a silent strain I've carried long enough
It has been a heavy burden that I have carried for far too long without speaking about it.
I can't be with you, I don't even want to
I cannot be with you, and truthfully, I do not even desire to be with you.
I just wish your ghosts were gone
I wish that the memories and feelings surrounding our past relationship would disappear.
cause I'm ready to love
because I am prepared to move on and love again.
I've been guarded long enough
I have been emotionally blocked off for too long and it is time for me to open up.
It's taken a lot to forgive you
It has required significant effort on my part to forgive you.
oh it's taken me so long
This process has been a lengthy one.
I tried in vain to forget you
I made an attempt to forget about you, but it was fruitless.
oh I tried everything
I made every effort I could to move on from the pain of our past.
but I won't be free until I've made peace with never knowing
However, I will not truly be able to move on until I come to terms with never fully understanding what went wrong between us.
what went wrong and was the fault in me
I am searching for the reasons why our relationship failed, and whether the blame lies with me.
I've been guarded long enough to know I'm ready
I have been closed off emotionally for a significant amount of time, but I now recognize that I am prepared to be vulnerable.
I'm ready, I'm ready
I am truly prepared to let go of my past pain and move forward with a new mindset and outlook on love.
I'm ready now
I am ready for a new beginning and to love again without the weight of old pain on my heart.
Contributed by Alexandra O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@evertonjunior4959
I've never been the kind to hold back
Though I'd never felt the burn before
And all these years I begged for vengeance
And was only left with wanting more
But I can't be whole until I let all this anger go,
A silent strain I've carried long enough
I can't be with you, I don't even want to
I just wish your ghosts were gone
Cause I'm ready to love
I've been guarded long enough
It's taken a lot to forgive you
Oh it's taken me so long
I tried in vain to forget you
Oh I tried everything
But I won't be free until I've made peace with never knowing
What went wrong and was the fault in me
I can't be with you, I don't even want to
I just wish your ghosts were gone
Cause I'm ready to love
I've been guarded long enough
I've been guarded long enough
I've been guarded long enough
I've been guarded long enough to know I'm ready
I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready, I'm ready
I'm ready now
@mayankk108
I am kinda late to Vampire Diaries. I am just about to complete 3rd season and here just after listening to this beautiful track by Kevin. Incredibly beautiful song 💛
@RflexShter
Im at the exact point myself, biggest suprise how much i love it
@languidcreature2345
Same here
@bhavya9376
I've been listening to this song for years...such a great song...so underrated..❤
@cincoequinze
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES <33333
@curtleyking2550
Who's listening to this in 2022
Randomly popped in my head this morning
Forgot how much I loved this song 😭❤️❤️
@doniacieslik
i just started watching vampire diaries and cant get enough with soundtrack, so beautiful...
@KingTowmeey
PLEASE PUT IT ON APPLE MUSIC 😭
@freepalestine_stop_genocide
Who the hell diskiles this kinda song?
Amazing vocals, music. Perfection.
@alaahassan6005
ilove the vampire diaries for bringing me here dude you're so good ilove your voice and this should have wayyy moreee viewers