Grennan was born in Bedford. His father is a builder, and his mother was a teacher. He is of Irish/English origin and a big fan of football and particularly Manchester United. He played football at a young age for the Bedford Park Tigers. He attended St Thomas More Catholic School. His younger brother is an aspiring boxer.
At 18, he was mugged by a group of strangers on the street and was left with four metal plates and screws in his jaw that "still hurt when winter comes". He trained to become a professional footballer. He played for Luton Town for a while, tried for Northampton Town and Aston Villa. But he was later released. He worked briefly at Costa Coffee. He told Music Week: "I was close to playing over in the States but something was telling me not to and obviously it was the music".
His musical beginnings are obscure, but he says he was at a house party where he sang "Seaside" from The Kooks. He didn't remember it, but his friends were impressed and pushed him into performing more. He studied acting at university. Also at age 18, he started doing gigs around London with his acoustic guitar, mainly in small pub appearances for almost three years. After a performance at Finsbury pub, a representative of Insanity Records heard him play and offered a contract. His debut EP, Something in the Water was produced by Charlie Hugall. He had his big break when he was featured in the Chase & Status 2016 single "All Goes Wrong" that was picked as "Hottest Record" on Annie Mac's Radio 1 Show. After that he was invited for an appearance on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, and a follow up appearance on BBC Two's show Later... with Jools Holland.[5] The song charted in the UK Singles Chart peaking at number 65. It also charted in Scotland and some European charts.
In 2017, he was shortlisted for MTV Brand New Award singing at MTV Showcase at London's Electric Ballroom on 2 February 2017).[7] Also in 2017, he had a cameo appearance in Charli XCX's music video for her song "Boys" alongside many well-known artists and duetted with grime MC Bugzy Malone on "Memory Lane". He performed in Trafalgar Square during the F1 Live in London show in support of Formula One drivers. He started an all UK tour in March 2018 in support of his upcoming album Lighting Matches due for release in July 2018. His song "Found What I've Been Looking For" appears on the FIFA 18 soundtrack and is also used by Sky Sports as the theme song for Super Sunday.
Giving It All
Tom Grennan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I can learn how to surrender, when I'm wrong
I stand my ground but I get nowhere
You said I missed the future that's out there, that's out there
I played our game of love in hate
And we won't leave this up to fate
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
Yeah, I'm ready to release the brakes
Now you got me on a mission
Chasing the number one position, to the door
We'll go further than the distance
'Cause we're more than just an existence
I played our game of love in hate
And we won't leave this up to fate
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
Yeah, I'm ready to release the brakes
Holding on, holding on
Are you ready, ready or not?
Yeah I'm holding on, holding on
Are you ready, ready or not?
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
Yeah, I'm ready to release the brakes
The lyrics to Tom Grennan's song "Giving It All" convey the message of surrendering to love and being ready to take on the challenges that come with it. The song speaks to the idea that love is not easy but it's worth fighting for. The first verse starts with Grennan being told he can do better and that he needs to learn to surrender. He seems to understand that he needs to open himself up to love and allow someone else in his life. The chorus repeats the idea that he's giving it his all, and he's ready to release the brakes, indicating that he's ready to fully commit to the relationship.
The second verse speaks to the idea that this love is a mission, and they need to chase it together. They're willing to go the distance because their love is worth it. They're playing a game of love in hate, but they won't leave their relationship up to fate. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the idea that he's willing to do whatever it takes to make this relationship work, even if it means falling down on his knees and being broken down, as long as he can stand on his own feet, he will give it his all.
The overall message of the song is that love is hard, but it's worth fighting for, and Tom Grennan is willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. The song is filled with powerful and emotional lyrics, and it's clear that Grennan has poured his heart and soul into the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Only you said I could do better
The singer's motivation to improve comes from their trust in this single person's encouragement.
If I can learn how to surrender, when I'm wrong
The singer recognizes their need to admit their faults, and wants to work on being more humble.
I stand my ground but I get nowhere
The singer is stubborn, but has not seen any positive results from their behavior.
You said I missed the future that's out there, that's out there
The artist received advice that they missed out on opportunities for a better future, and want to make up for it.
I played our game of love in hate
The relationship between the artists has been tumultuous and stressful.
And we won't leave this up to fate
The singers have decided to take control of their relationship and work it out intentionally.
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
The singer is struggling, but determined to keep going and put in all their effort to make things work.
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
The artist is ready to let go of anything holding them back and embrace change.
Now you got me on a mission
Chasing the number one position, to the door
We'll go further than the distance
'Cause we're more than just an existence
The artists are working towards a common goal, and are motivated to go above and beyond just getting by in life.
Holding on, holding on
Are you ready, ready or not?
Yeah I'm holding on, holding on
Are you ready, ready or not?
The artists are asking if they are both committed to making their relationship work for the long haul.
Writer(s): Tom Grennan, Holly Hardy
Contributed by Julian D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
William Peterson
[Verse 1]
Only you said I could do better
If I can learn how to surrender, when I'm wrong
I stand my ground but I get nowhere
You said I missed the future that's out there, that's out there
[Pre-Chorus]
I played our game of love and hate
And we won't leave this up to fate
[Chorus]
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
Yeah, I'm ready to release the brakes
[Verse 2]
Now you got me on a mission
Chasing the number one position, to the door
We'll go further than the distance
'Cause we're more than just an existence
[Pre-Chorus]
I played our game of love in hate
And we won't leave this up to fate
[Chorus]
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
Yeah, I'm ready to release the brakes
[Bridge]
Holding on, holding on
Are you ready, ready or not?
Yeah I'm holding on, holding on
Are you ready, ready or not?
[Chorus]
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
'Cause I'm fallin' down on my knees
Just to keep me on my feet
And you're breaking me down, I know
So I stand here on my own
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I know now what it takes
Yeah, I'm giving it all
'Cause I'm ready to release the brakes
Yeah, I'm ready to release the brakes
Lorcan Hayes
This man hasn't released one bad song
Nicola Courtney
@Andrew Ward he is the best x
Andrew Ward
2 albums later he still hasn't
Ellen Reilly
The world wasn't ready for your music 4 years ago.. but the world is ready now.. 😍😍
Mohamed Mahmoud
This guy deserves more
BRICHET MAULAVE Brigitte
Vous avez vraiment une voix très intéressante ! J'adore 😛❣️
EnglandLad
Such a talented lad, 💙 the lyrics
“I play that game of love and hate”
🥵👌🏻
Tesh ates
Every tune you bring out man I can't stop listening to
Marek Hajduk
Same here! This guy is amazing!
SevenFoot Pelican
its so good.