Somewhat of a sleeper hit, the song debuted on the Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks chart in position #25, peaking at #16 nearly three months later. The piano melody drives the song forward and artfully meshes with the vocals to create an uplifting and all around emotional soundscape which fans have come to expect from the Denver pop/rock band.
The highly abstract music video, superimposing faces upon faces upon various objects, was directed by Mark Pellington. Pellington had previously directed The Fray’s 2004 international hit, “How to Save a Life.”
Syndicate
The Fray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lies the one thing that you want
Buried in the ground, hundreds of miles down
First thing that arises in your mind while you awake
It's bending you 'til you break
Let me hold you now
Baby, close your eyes
Baby, don't forget
You haven't lost it all yet
Don't know what your made of
'Til the one thing that you want
Is coming with the dawn and suddenly changes
Monday, syndicate me, it's everyone the same
But all we've lost to the flame
Listen to me now
Baby, close your eyes
Don't open 'til the morning light
Don't ever forget
We haven't lost it all yet
All we know for sure
Is all that we are fighting for
Baby, don't forget
We haven't lost it all yet
Someday when this is over
We mix it up, no answer
For now it's when I hold ya
We are closer, we are closer
We are closer, we are closer
Baby, close your eyes
Don't open 'til the morning light
Don't ever forget
We haven't lost it all yet
All we know for sure
Is all that we are fighting for
Baby, don't forget
We haven't lost it all yet
We are closer
We are closer
(We haven't lost it all yet)
Now we are closer
(We haven't lost it all yet)
We are closer
The Fray's song Syndicate is about perseverance, hope, and the power of love to overcome obstacles. The lyrics speak of a person who is searching for something that they desperately want, something that is buried deep below the earth's surface, hundreds of miles down. This thing is causing them great pain and anxiety, so they turn to the one they love for comfort and support. The singer expresses his willingness to be there for the person, to hold them and ease their burden.
As the song progresses, we hear that the thing the person wants is coming with the dawn and will suddenly change everything. The lyrics make reference to Monday and the syndicate, suggesting that the burden the person is carrying is related to their job or work environment. However, the singer reminds the person that they haven't lost it all yet, and all they know for sure is what they're fighting for. This is a message of hope and determination that speaks to anyone who is struggling to achieve something they want.
In the final verse, the lyrics speak of a time when the struggle is over, and the two people can be together without the burden of the thing they want. The lyrics "we mix it up, no answer" suggest that the thing they want doesn't matter anymore because they have each other. The song ends with the repeated refrain "we are closer," emphasizing the strength of the love between the two people.
Line by Line Meaning
Halfway around the world
The desired thing is felt to be far away.
Lies the one thing that you want
The one thing that the person wants is not within reach.
Buried in the ground, hundreds of miles down
The desired thing is not easily obtainable.
First thing that arises in your mind while you awake
The first thought that comes to mind when waking up is the desire for the thing that is wanted.
It's bending you 'till you break
The longing for the thing is becoming unbearable and causing distress.
Let me hold you now
The singer is offering comfort during this difficult period.
Baby close your eyes
The singer is urging the person to block out negative thoughts and relax.
Don't open til the morning light
The person should rest and stay optimistic until the new day dawns.
Baby don't forget
The person is reminded not to lose hope.
You haven't lost it all yet
There is still a chance to achieve the desired thing.
Don't know what your made of
The person is not sure of their abilities.
'Till the one thing that you want
The person will only know their full potential and strength when they finally obtain the desired thing.
Is coming with the dawn and suddenly changes
The arrival of the desired thing will bring about drastic and positive changes in the person's life.
Monday, syndicate me, it's everyone the same
The mundanity of daily life is acknowledged, but it is universal and experienced by everyone.
But all we've lost to the flame
The potential good things that have been lost or sacrificed in the pursuit of the desired thing.
Listen to me now
The singer is asking for the person's attention as they relay an important message.
All we know for sure
Out of all the unknowns, the only thing that is certain is the struggle and battle to attain the desired thing.
Is all that we are fighting for
The person's efforts and hard work are dedicated to achieving the desired thing.
Someday when this is over
When the wait and struggle for the desired thing is over.
We mix it up, no answer
There is no clear solution or response to the outcome of the pursuit for the desired thing.
For now it's when I hold ya
Until then, the singer will continue to comfort and offer support.
We are closer, we are closer
The person is getting closer to achieving the desired thing.
Now we are closer
The present time is that much nearer to achieving the desired thing.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Welsh, Isaac Slade, Joseph King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brucewilson7468
Halfway around the world
Lies the one thing that you want
Buried in the ground, hundreds of miles down
First thing that arises in your mind while you awake
It's bending you 'till you break
Let me hold you now
Baby close your eyes
Don't open til the morning light
Baby don't forget
You haven't lost it all yet
Don't know what your made of
'Till the one thing that you want
Is coming with the dawn and suddenly changes
Monday, syndicate me, it's everyone the same
But all we've lost to the flame
Listen to me now
Baby close your eyes
Don't open 'till the morning light
Don't ever forget
We haven't lost it all yet
All we know for sure
Is all that we are fighting for
Baby don't forget
We haven't lost it all yet
Someday when this is over
We mix it up, no answer
For now it's when I hold ya
We are closer, we are closer
We are closer, we are closer
Baby close your eyes
Don't open 'till the morning light
Don't ever forget
We haven't lost it all yet
All we know for sure
Is all that we are fighting for
Baby don't forget
We haven't lost it all yet
We are closer
We are closer
(We haven't lost it all yet)
Now we are closer
(We haven't lost it all yet)
We are closer
Songwriters: David Welsh / Isaac
@KARADemonsChild
Jesus Christ, I've been surfing through The Fray videos and I now realized that all their songs are good.
@Abdulrahman-qp4ys
All there songs are flawless
@carolbarles.23
Ikr. I listen to all of their songs everyday!
@dawiser1
Totally under-rated band.
@angelbritos2039
Me too!!!... ;D
@YwTrM
Same
@macalahfrink920
This band has kept me moving through the worst days.
@waqasmuhammad3188
bosss so agreed
@enriquerodriguezwc9159
❤💯
@tasnimanimanimaa
Yep 😔