As a child, Grey performed professionally with her mother in a folk duo called Generations. In 2003, Grey moved to Los Angeles and recorded a demo under the alias Holly Brook, which would be her stage name for several years. In 2004 she signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group and a recording contract with American rock band Linkin Park’s Warner Bros. Records’ label imprint, Machine Shop Recordings. She would later release her debut album, Like Blood Like Honey, under the labels in 2006.
In 2010, after moving to Oregon, she co-wrote Eminem and Rihanna's No.1 hit single "Love the Way You Lie" alongside British record producer Alex da Kid, who subsequently signed her to his label imprint, KIDinaKORNER. Her work with Eminem on Love the Way You Lie was the first of many collaborations between the two.
Grey's second album and first under the pseudonym Skylar Grey, Don't Look Down, was released in July 2013. Her third album, Natural Causes, was released in September 2016. In 2019, Grey announced that she had left Interscope Records, and released an EP, Angel With Tattoos, in October of the same year. She released her fourth album, the eponymous Skylar Grey, in April of 2022. In 2023, she announced her intention to re-record her hit songs after selling her music catalogue two years prior to be able to afford to settle a divorce suit.
Grey is perhaps best known as a guest vocalist on several hit singles, including Fort Minor's "Where'd You Go", P. Diddy's "Coming Home", Dr. Dre's "I Need a Doctor", Macklemore's "Glorious", and more. She has also written for number of other prominent artists, including but not limited to Kehlani, Pink, Nicki Minaj, Céline Dion, and Beyoncé. Her music has featured in multiple films, including Suicide Squad, The Fate of the Furious, Aquaman, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Over her career Grey has accumulated five Grammy nominations, including nominations in the categories of Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
Religion
Skylar Grey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I bought a new car and got caught in the hail,
Sometimes it feels like you got no-one on your side,
But I will be there holding you tight, yeah yeah,
Holding you tight, yeah,
When you don't know what to believe in,
Let me be your religion,
So let me be your religion, yeah.
You lost a big bet on the day you lost your job,
You got evicted you said 'please help me God',
Now I don't know why when it rains it pours,
But I know one thing that you've got for sure,
Yeah yeah, you've got for sure, yeah,
When you don't know what to believe in,
Let me be your religion,
It's a fucked up world that we live in,
So let me be your religion, yeah.
Let me be the one you go to,
When you start to cry,
Let me be the one that holds you,
When you're asking why,
I can only imagine what you're going through, babe,
But please,
When you don't know what to believe in,
Let me be your religion,
It's a fucked up world that we live in,
So let me be your religion, yeah.
When you don't know what to believe in,
Let me be your religion,
It's a fucked up world that we live in,
So let me be your religion, yeah.
Skylar Grey's song, "Religion," is a heartfelt ballad about being there for someone when they feel lost and alone in a difficult world. The first verse describes the singer's experiences with adversity, including witnessing a man die just after his release from jail and getting caught in a hailstorm after buying a new car. The chorus then reassures the listener that despite the chaos of the world, the singer will be there to hold them tight and be their guide. The second verse describes further struggles, like losing a job and being evicted, but the singer reminds the listener that they can always turn to them for support. The final lines of the song emphasize this with the plea that the listener let the singer be their religion.
Overall, the lyrics of "Religion" convey an overwhelming sense of empathy and compassion. Skylar Grey sings passionately about the struggles of life and the need for someone to turn to when things go wrong. The idea of being someone's "religion" is a powerful one, implying a level of devotion and care that goes beyond what one might expect from a friend or loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw a man die the day he got out of jail,
I witnessed a man's death on the same day he was finally granted freedom from prison, representing a cruel twist of fate.
I bought a new car and got caught in the hail,
Despite making a positive change in my life by purchasing a new car, I immediately faced a setback when a sudden storm hit and damaged it.
Sometimes it feels like you got no-one on your side,
At times, it may seem like there is no one willing to support you through life's difficulties.
But I will be there holding you tight, yeah yeah,
However, I will be by your side offering comfort and protection.
When you don't know what to believe in,
During moments of uncertainty and doubt,
Let me be your religion,
allow me to be your source of faith and guidance.
It's a fucked up world that we live in,
The world we inhabit is plagued by numerous challenges and struggles.
So let me be your religion, yeah.
Therefore, rely on me and my support to navigate through this tumultuous existence.
You lost a big bet on the day you lost your job,
You experienced a significant financial loss when you were already dealing with the stress of unemployment.
You got evicted you said 'please help me God',
Being forced out of your home likely made you feel that you had nowhere to turn but to a higher power for assistance.
Now I don't know why when it rains it pours,
I cannot explain why problems and misfortunes seem to compound upon each other.
But I know one thing that you've got for sure,
However, I am certain that you can rely on one thing.
Yeah yeah, you've got for sure, yeah,
Yes, you can definitely count on this one thing.
Let me be the one you go to,
Allow me to be the person you turn to for help,
When you start to cry,
especially during moments of emotional turmoil and tears.
Let me be the one that holds you,
I want to physically comfort you and provide support.
When you're asking why,
when you're questioning the reasons for your struggles.
I can only imagine what you're going through, babe,
I may not fully understand the depth of your pain, but I empathize as much as I can.
But please,
However,
When you don't know what to believe in,
during moments of confusion and uncertainty,
Let me be your religion,
allow me to provide you with a sense of purpose and meaning.
It's a fucked up world that we live in,
The world we inhabit is far from perfect and comes with its own set of challenges.
So let me be your religion, yeah.
That's why it's important to rely on someone who can provide support and guidance, like me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HOLLY FAFFERMANN, JASON DESUZIO, JONATHAN ROTEM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind