In 2010, Major Lazer released Lazerproof, a free download mixtape with pop sensation La Roux, and Lazers Never Die, an EP featuring two new tracks and three remixes, including one by Thom Yorke. One of the foremost breakthroughs for Major Lazer during this time was the production collaboration with Beyoncé on her single “Run the World (Girls)”, which sampled their track “Pon de Floor." BeyoncÉ directly sought out Switch and Diplo, recognizing the fact that they were creating authentically innovative music and further cementing their status as a production team worthy of worldwide mainstream attention. As 2011 turned to 2012, Switch determined it best to pursue his own path, leaving Diplo in full control of Major Lazer.
As the sole executive producer of Major Lazer, Diplo continued to spearhead the current dancehall revival movement with the 2013 release Free The Universe. That album included collaborations with Bruno Mars, Tyga, Flux Pavilion, Wynter Gordon, Shaggy, Wyclef Jean, Ezra Koening from Vampire Weekend, Dev and more. Spin called the LP’s first single "Get Free" featuring Amber Coffman of Dirty Projectors, "a meeting point between Jamaica, West Africa, and Brooklyn."
Diplo (AKA Wesley Pentz) has risen through the ranks and has asserted himself as one of the most pioneering producers of the time. Through unending curiosity and exploration of the vast multitudes of the world’s musical heritages, Diplo has managed to seamlessly connect the global underground to the audio mainstream. He is the Grammy-nominated founder, owner and head honcho of Mad Decent records, which has not only garnered widespread critical and audience accolades since its inception, but has also deservedly earned a hefty reputation as a vanguard of groundbreaking releases. As Major Lazer, he retreated to Jamaica in 2012 to team up with producers Ariel Rechtshaid and Dre Skull on Snoop Lion's (Snoop Dogg) 2013 album "Reincarnated". Major Lazer was also featured on the title track from No Doubt's 2012 comeback album with famed dancehall artist Busy Signal and released an official remix for Hot Chip’s "Look At Where We Are".
Get Free
Major Lazer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hey)
Never got love from a government man
Heading downstream 'til the levee gives in
What can I do to get the money?
We ain't go the money, we ain't gettin' out (hey)
Heading downstream 'til the levee gives in
All I need's relief
I need, I need some sympathy, yeah
(Hey)
Look at me
I just can't believe
What they've done to me
We could never get free
I just wanna be (I just wanna be)
Look at me
I just can't believe
What they've done to me
We could never get free
I just wanna be
I just wanna dream
(Ahh, ayy)
(Hey)
All of my life been wadin' in
Water so deep, now we got to swim
Wonder will it ever end
How long, how long 'til we have a friend? (Hey)
Comin' down, feelin' like a battery hen
Waves won't break 'til the tide comes in
What will I do in the sunrise?
What will I do without my dreams?
(Hey)
Look at me
I just can't believe
What they've done to me
We could never get free
I just wanna be (I just wanna be)
Look at me
I just can't believe
What they've done to me
We could never get free
I just wanna be
I just wanna dream
We're all together in the same boat
I know you, you know me
Baby, you know me
We're all together in the same boat
I know you, you know me (I know)
Baby, you know me
We're all together in the same boat
Look at me
I just can't believe
What they've done to me (I know you, you know me)
We could never get free (baby)
I just wanna be (you know me)
I just wanna dream
I just wanna dream
I just wanna dream
Baby, you know me
(Major Lazer)
The lyrics of the song "Get Free" by Major Lazer Feat. Amber Dawn Coffman depict the frustration and hopelessness felt by individuals who are living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet. The opening lines set the tone of the song with the singer stating that they have never received love or support from their government. They are resigned to trying to survive against the flow of the river until the levee finally breaks. Despite their hard work, they still cannot make enough money to escape their circumstances.
The chorus emphasizes this sense of hopelessness with the lyrics, "We could never get free, I just wanna be." The singer longs for a way out of their situation and believes that the only escape they have is to dream. The second verse talks about the loneliness and isolation they feel as they struggle, but they also know that they are not alone. The bridge connects the singer to others who are experiencing similar struggles, and they find comfort in knowing that they are all in the same boat.
Overall, "Get Free" is a powerful commentary on the hardships of poverty and the hopelessness that many individuals face in their daily lives. The song's lyrics remind us of the importance of empathy and compassion towards others who may be struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
Never got love from a government man
I have never received any love from anyone in power
Heading downstream 'til the levee gives in
I am running away from my problems
What can I do to get the money?
I am looking for ways to make money
We ain't got the money, we ain't gettin' out (hey)
Without money, we will never be free from our struggles
And my dreams are wearin' thin
I am losing hope and motivation
All I need's relief
I am in need of some peace and comfort
I need, I need some sympathy, yeah
I am seeking empathy and understanding
Look at me
I want to be noticed and heard
I just can't believe
I am shocked and surprised by what has happened to me
What they've done to me
I have been mistreated and wronged by someone or something
We could never get free
We have been struggling to achieve freedom from our problems
I just wanna be (I just wanna be)
I desire to be happy and content
All of my life been wadin' in
I have been struggling and fighting for my entire life
Water so deep, now we got to swim
The problems and obstacles we face are immense, but we must keep moving forward
Wonder will it ever end
I am curious if my struggles will ever come to an end
How long, how long 'til we have a friend? (Hey)
I am wondering how long it will be until we find someone who truly cares about us
Comin' down, feelin' like a battery hen
I feel trapped and dehumanized by my circumstances
Waves won't break 'til the tide comes in
I must be patient and wait for a change in my situation
What will I do in the sunrise?
I am unsure of what I will do next
What will I do without my dreams?
Without my aspirations, I am lost
We're all together in the same boat
We are all facing similar struggles
I know you, you know me
We understand and relate to each other
Baby, you know me
I trust and value our connection
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dave Taylor, Thomas Wesley Pentz, David Donnell Longstreth, Amber Coffman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@exhausteddog819
This song is pure pain.
This song is pure hope.
@globalgyalmusic9568
Y.e.s
@jhonathannquirz7869
This song is perfect
@wiktoriaksepka8398
jest
@adamkozakiewicz6766
If you're not in pain, why do you need hope? If you have hope, doesn't it mean you're in pain at the moment? They can't be separated - hope is just one of the ways you can approach pain.
@exucia669
cringe
@rudebebop4157
Confirmed, I will never, ever, get tired of this piece of art.
@francoislucassarr6768
Relaxing song like a cup of tea.
@rajkumarisavi
I’ve been listening to this since 4 years
@Legalisation
What you need to do is come down for a lil vacation to the West Indies and make this the sound track of your stay.