The group's self-titled, second album, released in 2009, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and was certified gold in the United States, Australia, and Canada. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2010. While both albums were commercially successful, critical reception was mixed. The Fray was ranked No. 84 on Billboard's "Artists of the Decade" list. Their third album Scars & Stories, released in 2012, achieved moderate commercial success; debuting and peaking at number four on the Billboard 200. The album again received mixed reviews from critics. The band's fourth album, Helios, was released in February 2014. The band's compilation album, Through the Years: The Best of the Fray, was released in November 2016.
The Fray's use of the piano as the lead instrument in their music has led critics to compare the band with English piano-driven bands such as Coldplay and Keane. However, the band lists its influences as the Wallflowers, Counting Crows, Better Than Ezra, and U2.
Heaven Forbid
The Fray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now that you understand
There's no one around
Take a breath, just take a seat
You're falling apart and tearing at the seams
Heaven forbid you end up alone
You don't know why
You'll be alright
It's on your face, is it on your mind?
Would you care to build a house of your own?
How much longer? how long can you wait?
It's like you wanted to go and give yourself away
Heaven forbid you end up alone
And don't know why
Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow
You'll be alright
Heaven forbid you end up alone
And don't know why
Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow
You'll be alright
It feels good (is that reason enough?)
It feels good (is that reason enough?)
It feels good (is that reason enough?)
It feels good
Heaven forbid you end up alone
You don't know why
Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow
You'll be alright
Heaven forbid you end up alone
You don't know why
Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow
You'll be alright
Yeah, out of this one
I don't know how to get you, out of this one
I don't know how to get you, out of this one
Don't know how to get you, out of this one
I don't know how to get you, out of this one
The Fray's song Heaven Forbid talks about the fear of ending up alone without really understanding why or how one got there in the first place. The opening line "Twenty years, it's breaking you down" indicates a long period of time where the person has been struggling with something. It could refer to a relationship, work, or anything that has been taking a toll on them for years. The next line "Now that you understand there's no one around" shows that they have finally realized they are on their own and that there is no one around to help or support them.
The chorus "Heaven forbid you end up alone and don't know why, hold on tight, wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright" shows that the fear of being alone without an explanation is a common worry for most people. The lines "Would you care to build a house of your own? How much longer? how long can you wait? It's like you wanted to go and give yourself away" indicate that the person is questioning whether they have been investing their time and energy in the right things or people. They are searching for meaning and purpose in their life.
The final lines of the song "I don't know how to get you, out of this one, don't know how to get you, out of this one" seem to indicate that the person is still struggling to find a way out of their predicament, but the hope that they will be alright tomorrow suggests that they are holding onto optimism for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Twenty years, it's breaking you down
After spending two decades of your life in a certain way, you are feeling drained and exhausted.
Now that you understand
After realizing the way you wasted two decades of your life, you now understand the importance of companionship.
There's no one around
Unfortunately, you don't currently have anybody to share your life with.
Take a breath, just take a seat
Take a moment to collect your thoughts and calm yourself down.
You're falling apart and tearing at the seams
You're visibly struggling to cope with the loneliness you're feeling, and it's starting to take a toll on both your mental and physical health.
Heaven forbid you end up alone
It would be tragic if you end up spending your life all alone.
You don't know why
Despite your best efforts, you can't figure out why you're currently alone.
Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow
Stay strong and hopeful for a better future ahead.
You'll be alright
You'll eventually find someone to share your life with, and everything will be okay.
It's on your face, is it on your mind?
Your loneliness is evident on your face, but you're not sure if people can see it in your thoughts as well.
Would you care to build a house of your own?
Would you like to build a home and family with someone you love?
How much longer? how long can you wait?
You're not sure how much longer you can keep waiting for your life to change.
It's like you wanted to go and give yourself away
You've been desperately seeking companionship, almost to the point of giving too much of yourself away in the process.
It feels good (is that reason enough?)
The prospect of companionship sounds so appealing that it should be reason enough to keep seeking it out.
Yeah, out of this one. I don't know how to get you, out of this one.
You're stuck in a rut, and it's unclear how to break out of it to find companionship.
Lyrics Β© Wixen Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Isaac Slade, Joseph King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikkocanciller6363
"Twenty years and it's you breaking down, now you understand there's no one around". that hits me so hard really!
@aswinm93
One of Fray's most underrated songs.
@tonyamaddox8648
I agree. My favorite song from the Fray
@TkTheProphet
SAME! Always and forever....
@atheris1641
Yep!
@Angiiierosemusic
Used to warm up to this song in dance class every week. Now in my 20s it just hits different π₯Ί
@jalissanedd1678
This song is so touching.The Fray is my favorite band!
@julissa6715
Hands down my favorite band .
@fluffedpancakes4245
used to be my favorite song... nice coming back to it.
@atheris1641
fluffedpancakes itβs my fav right now!