Performing Songwriter calls Hutchinson, "...A master of introspective ballads filled with understated yearning and an exquisite sense of metaphor." The twenty-six year old describes her style as "lyric-based, folk-pop, with a whole lot of small town idealism and one devastating break up thrown in for good measure." Among her influences she is quick to include poet Mary Oliver along with the likes of David Grey, Patty Griffin, Greg Brown and Shawn Colvin. Her songs are characterized by a weathered but unselfconscious optimism, a love of language and of the natural world. Having grown up in a town of 5,000 people, "just outside the National Historic District," her songs possess all the charm of Lake Wobegon, tempered by a sweet and timeless voice.
Safe
Meg Hutchinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But let my heart keep bursting
Draw the line, I'll sleep on it
Arms above my head, dreaming like a baby
Cracked open like a safe, my heart
Safe to crack open
All of this treasure spilling down the stairs
Diamonds and emeralds, a river in the street
Let it come, all that weather, hurricane
Pounding up the highway
I will stay and practice praying
I will play, handstands in my kitchen
Cracked open like a safe, my heart
Safe to crack open
All of this treasure spilling down the stairs
Diamonds and emeralds, I gather them to me
Set them on silver, a perfect offering
May this human love, throw open a door
To a greater love, than I've ever known before
I am ready, if your hands show me
Body softens, form me into gold
I will listen, to the whisper
Ear against mine singing a new ocean
Hold the sun, stop the water, freeze the moon
But let my heart keep bursting
The song "Safe" by Meg Hutchinson is a deeply emotional and introspective piece about the vulnerability and freedom that comes with opening one's heart. The song starts with the powerful image of holding the natural elements back, asking them to freeze or stop, while her heart continues to burst. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the importance of allowing oneself to feel deeply and not being afraid to crack open emotionally.
The opening lines also bring up the concept of safety, with the singer seeking the safety of her own heart, even in the midst of chaos and disorder. She speaks about being cracked open like a safe, which signifies unlocking and releasing her true emotions and self. The metaphor of treasure spilling down the stairs emphasizes that the value of these emotions is immense and it is worth risking safety to experience their full brilliance. The line "I gave it all away, that's how I got free" suggests that the singer has previously held back her emotions, but by letting go, she found the freedom and liberation that comes with being vulnerable.
The song then moves on to speak about being ready to receive deeper love and connection. The hurricane and handstand imagery are symbolic of the chaos and excitement that comes with being open to the possibilities of life. The repetition of the line "cracked open like a safe, my heart, safe to crack open" emphasizes the theme of safety and security in vulnerability. The closing lines express the desire for a greater love, perhaps implying a spiritual or transcendent love that can only be reached through opening oneself and forging deeper connections with others.
Overall, "Safe" is an emotionally rich and introspective piece that encourages the listener to embrace vulnerability, take risks, and cherish the safety of their own hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold the sun, stop the water, freeze the moon
She wants to stop time and hold the moment forever.
But let my heart keep bursting
She wants to keep experiencing overwhelming emotions and feelings.
Draw the line, I'll sleep on it
She needs time to think things through before making a decision.
Arms above my head, dreaming like a baby
She feels safe and content like a child in a dream.
Cracked open like a safe, my heart
Her heart is vulnerable and open.
Safe to crack open
She feels safe to express her emotions.
All of this treasure spilling down the stairs
Her emotions are overflowing.
Diamonds and emeralds, a river in the street
Her emotions are valuable and abundant.
I gave it all away, that's how I got free
She let go of her emotions and found freedom in doing so.
Let it come, all that weather, hurricane
She is willing to face any storm or intense emotions.
Pounding up the highway
She is willing to face challenges head-on.
I will stay and practice praying
She wants to stay calm and centered during difficult times.
I will play, handstands in my kitchen
She wants to find joy and playfulness in everyday life.
Diamonds and emeralds, I gather them to me
She acknowledges and appreciates the value of her emotions.
Set them on silver, a perfect offering
She honors and cherishes her emotions.
May this human love, throw open a door
She hopes that her love for another person will lead her to a deeper, more profound love.
To a greater love than I've ever known before
She believes that this love will be unlike any love she has experienced before.
I am ready if your hands show me
She is open and ready to explore this new love.
Body softens, form me into gold
She wants to be transformed and changed by this love.
I will listen to the whisper
She is attentive to and receptive of this new love.
Ear against mine singing a new ocean
She hears the beauty and vastness of this new love.
Hold the sun, stop the water, freeze the moon
Even though she wants to hold onto this moment forever, she knows that time moves on.
But let my heart keep bursting
She wants to keep experiencing the fullness of life and love.
Contributed by William V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.