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.
Say When
The Fray Lyrics
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Don't know where you come from
Unaware the stare from someone
Don't appear to care that I saw you, and I want you too
What's your name? Because I have to know it
You let me in and begin to show it
We're terrified, because we're heading straight for it, might get it
Your favorite song plays on the background
And everyone is rising to meet you, to greet you
Turn around and you're walking toward me
I'm breaking down and you're breathing slowly
Say the word and I will be your man, your man
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Come close and even closer
We bring it in, but we go no further
We separate two ghosts in one mirror, no mirror
Later on, if it turns to chaos
Hurricanes coming all around us
See the crack, pull it back
From the window, you stay low
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Come across, you're lost and broken
You're coming to, you're slow and waking
You start to shake
Still haven't spoken, what happened?
I'm coming back and you just don't know when
You want to cry but there's nothing coming
They're gonna push until you give in, say when
Now we're here and it turns to chaos
Hurricanes coming all around us
Another crack throws you back from the window
You stay low
All began with the man of country
Another plan sends another century
Around again another nation, fallen
Any guy can be on both sides of a coin
Never understood why
Some of us never get a shoulder, shoulder
Some of this we kept with us
All of us will go out there
'Cause it never stops until we give in, give in
To give in, give in
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight.
The Fray's "Say When" is a song about two individuals who unexpectedly come together and fall in love. The singer sees the other person in a crowded room, and from that moment, he is smitten. He asks her name and gets to know her, and they are afraid of what may happen between them, but the attraction is strong. They both acknowledge their mutual feelings and sing about how they will be there for each other no matter what.
The song portrays a relationship that is real but unstable. The chorus, "Say when, and my own two hands will comfort you," represents the song's theme: the idea that they will be there for each other no matter what happens. The first verse's beginning, "See you there, don't know where you come from, unaware of the stare from someone," suggests that the singer is in awe of the woman he sees and wants to know everything about her. The second verse's lyrics, "Later on, if it turns to chaos and hurricanes coming all around us," suggest that, while they are happy now, things may become difficult in the future, and they will still be there for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
See you there
I see you and acknowledge your presence
Don't know where you come from
I don't know much about you or your background
Unaware the stare from someone
I don't appear to care or notice when someone stares at you
Don't appear to care that I saw you, and I want you too
I want you but it seems like you are not interested in me
What's your name? Because I have to know it
I am curious to know your name because I want to get to know you more
You let me in and begin to show it
You open up to me and start showing me more about you
We're terrified, because we're heading straight for it, might get it
We're scared because we're getting closer to each other and we might end up together
Your favorite song plays on the background
Your favorite music is playing in the background
All alone but you turn it up now
Although you're alone, you turn up the music to keep you company
And everyone is rising to meet you, to greet you
People around you are acknowledging your presence and welcoming you
Turn around and you're walking toward me
You turn around and start walking towards me
I'm breaking down and you're breathing slowly
I'm feeling overwhelmed and you're calm and collected
Say the word and I will be your man, your man
If you give me a chance, I will be the person you need in your life
Come close and even closer
Let's get closer physically and emotionally
We bring it in, but we go no further
We get physically closer but we don't take it any further than that
We separate two ghosts in one mirror, no mirror
We are two different people trying to make a connection although we are unable to see things from each other's perspective
Later on, if it turns to chaos
If things get crazy later on
Hurricanes coming all around us
We face external challenges that may complicate things for us
See the crack, pull it back
If we see an opportunity to fix things, we should take it
From the window, you stay low
We should take caution and stay out of trouble
Come across, you're lost and broken
You come across as lost and in need of support
You're coming to, you're slow and waking
You're gradually starting to realize and understand things
You start to shake
You feel emotional or overwhelmed
Still haven't spoken, what happened?
You haven't communicated what's going on or how you're feeling
I'm coming back and you just don't know when
I will be there for you but you don't know when it will happen
You want to cry but there's nothing coming
You feel like crying but you're unable to
They're gonna push until you give in, say when
People around us may try to influence us until we make a decision
All began with the man of country
It all started with someone from the countryside
Another plan sends another century
New ideas and concepts lead to new generations of people
Around again another nation, fallen
This cycle of creating and falling of nations continues
Any guy can be on both sides of a coin
People can have different sides or perspectives depending on the situation
Never understood why
I never really understood why this happens
Some of us never get a shoulder, shoulder
Some of us never have someone to lean on or count on for support
Some of this we kept with us
We carry this feeling or experience with us
All of us will go out there
We will all face challenges and obstacles
'Cause it never stops until we give in, give in
This cycle of falling and rising continues until we give up
Say when
Let me know when to act or make a move
And my own two hands will comfort you
I will be there to offer physical and emotional support
Tonight, tonight
Starting now and continuing throughout the night
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin Wysocki, David Welsh, Isaac Edward Slade, Joseph A King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind