At his audition, Halla sang "Somewhere Only We Know", originally by Keane, seeing mentors Sondre Lerche and Furuholmen hitting the button. Halla chose to be on Magne's team. In the Battle round, his mentor paired him against contestant Ruben Gundersen, chosing to keep Halla after their duet "Keep On Walking" by Salem Al Fakir.
In the sing-off round, Halla was spared by his mentor Furuholmen, going directly to the semi-finals, where he advanced further after singing "Release Me" by Oh Laura. Halla won the final, performing "We Found Love" by Rihanna and his winning song "Take It With Me", originally a Tom Waits song.
After the win on May 25, 2012, the winner song "Take It With Me" was released as Martin Halla's debut single hitting #3 of VG-lista the official Norwegian Singles Chart on its first week of release. His semi-final rendition "Release Me" also peaked at #7.
Halla has experience from boy choir St. Hallvard-guttene, he has studied performing arts at Jessheim videregående skole (high school), and has a Bachelor (A) in Performing jazz music from The Grieg Academy in Bergen.
Release Me
Martin Halla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am a growin' force you kept in place
I am a tree reachin' for the sun
Please don't hold me down
Please don't hold me down
I am a rollin' wave without the motion
A glass of water longin' for the ocean
Release me
Release me
I am the rain that's comin' down on you
That you shielded yourself from with a roof
I have the fire burnin' desperately but you're controllin' me
Release me
Release me
The lyrics of Martin Halla's song "Release Me" are an eloquent depiction of the emotional turmoil of feeling trapped within oneself. The singer paints the picture of being the wilderness, imprisoned within a cage, and a growing force that is being held in place. These vivid metaphors are a reflection of the suffocating sensation that follows when one feels restricted, held back, and limited. Similarly, the artist also portrays himself as a tree, reaching for the sun, but is stopped from growing by external forces.
Further, the lyrics of the chorus also shed light on the overwhelming desire to break free from these constraints. The artist refers to himself as a rolling wave without the motion and an asphalt flower, tearing off the shackles that bind him in place. However, his efforts are thwarted, and he pleads for someone to "Release me." The artist's plea is highlighted again in the second half, wherein he compares himself to the rain that's coming down and the fire burning desperately, but there's someone always holding him back, imposing control on him.
Overall, the song is a cry for freedom, urging the listener to break free from anything that binds them and live life on their terms. The powerful imagery and emotive lyrics make for a compelling narrative, emphasizing the importance of living free of constraints and limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the wilderness locked in a cage
I feel like my true self is being suppressed and trapped by external factors.
I am a growin' force you kept in place
I have great potential to blossom and grow, but you've been holding me back.
I am a tree reachin' for the sun
I am striving to reach my full potential and live my best life.
Please don't hold me down
Please stop suppressing and constraining me.
I am a rollin' wave without the motion
I am full of potential energy and passion, but I'm not able to fully express it.
A glass of water longin' for the ocean
I have a deep yearning to explore the world and experience new things.
I am an asphalt flower breakin' free but you keep stoppin' me
I'm trying to break free and grow, but you keep limiting me and holding me back.
Release me
Please let me go and allow me to express my true self.
I am the rain that's comin' down on you
I am trying to bring new experiences and make a positive change in your life.
That you shielded yourself from with a roof
But you've been blocking out my influence and preventing me from making a difference.
I have the fire burnin' desperately but you're controllin' me
I have a strong desire to be free and pursue my passions, but you're holding me back and controlling my life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carlsson Westfelt, Erik Olof Althoff, Nils Johan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind