The band's music is an eclectic mix of genres, including alternative rock, indie rock, and pop. They are known for their energetic and emotional live performances, which are often accompanied by elaborate visuals and lighting.
X Ambassadors' breakthrough came with the release of their debut album, "VHS," in 2015. The album spawned several hit singles, including "Renegades," "Unsteady," and "Jungle," which have collectively amassed over a billion streams on Spotify alone. "VHS" also featured collaborations with other artists, including Imagine Dragons and Jamie N Commons.
One of the band's defining characteristics is their willingness to address personal and social issues through their music. For instance, "Unsteady" is a poignant reflection on the Harris brothers' upbringing with a mother who battled substance abuse, while "Renegades" is a call for rebellion against societal norms.
X Ambassadors have also been vocal advocates for mental health awareness and have worked with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation. In 2019, they launched their own initiative, the "Joyful Tour," which aimed to destigmatize mental health issues and promote self-care among fans.
In addition to their studio albums, X Ambassadors have released several EPs and singles over the years, showcasing their versatility as a band. They have also collaborated with other artists on various projects, including the soundtrack for the Netflix film "Bright" and the song "Home" with Machine Gun Kelly and Bebe Rexha.
Free & Lonely
X Ambassadors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la la la la
La la la
La la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la
Get a job and get paid
Marry a girl
Go home and get laid
Buy a big old house where we both can live
Have a couple of drinks and have a couple of kids
Whoa oh, and I, I left my life behind
But I ain't got time to look back on
When I was free, when I was free
Free to be who I want to be
Free to not care, ahh
When I was free, free and lonely
People would see me on the street
They'd stop and stare
When I was free
La la la, la la la la la la (Free and lonely)
La la la la la (Free and lonely)
La la la
When I was free, yeah
Free and lonely
Free and lonely
Move out west
Living hand to mouth
My Hollywood plans have all gone south
So I move back east where I can pay the rent
But she want a big old house with a big old fence
Whoa oh, and I, I left my life behind
But I ain't got time to look back on
When I was free, when I was free
Free to be who I want to be
Free to not care, ahh
When I was free, free and lonely
People would see me on the street
They'd stop and stare
When I was free
La la la, la la la la la la (Free and lonely)
La la la la la (Free and lonely)
La la la
When I was free, yeah
Free and lonely
Free and lonely
Free and lonely
When I was free
Free and lonely
People would see me on the street
They'd stop and stare
When I was free
The song “Free & Lonely” by X Ambassadors is a reflective track about the difficulties of growing up and the sacrifices that come with it. The song expresses the ideas of leaving a carefree life behind for the promises of adulthood. The first verse speaks of hypothetical scenarios where one can settle down and start a family, showcasing the symbols of an idealized American dream. But the chorus talks about how it all seems so constricting and “free” was a better place to be.
The second verse tells of the singer’s journey to Hollywood, with plans and ambitions that quickly fall apart. The lyrics also speak of shifting back and forth between coasts, exploring the sacrifices made for the sake of financial stability. The chorus is repeated at the end, emphasizing the nostalgic longing for the carefree youth he left behind.
Overall, the song speaks about the desperation that arises from societal expectations and the importance of reconciling with the past to gain a sense of self. It is clear that the singer misses the freedom he had before, but it’s also evident that he’s made peace with it and moved on.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la, la la la la la la
Singing and humming, enjoying the freedom of life.
Go back home
Instructions to go home and live the traditional way of life.
Get a job and get paid
Advice to find a job and earn money for sustenance.
Marry a girl
Advice to get married, settle down and start a family.
Go home and get laid
Instructions to have physical intimacy with the partner.
Buy a big old house where we both can live
Advice to buy property and settle down in a big house for the family.
Have a couple of drinks and have a couple of kids
Instructions to enjoy life with alcohol and have children.
Whoa oh, and I, I left my life behind
Realization that he has left his free life behind and moved on.
But I ain't got time to look back on
Acknowledgment that he does not have time to dwell on the past.
When I was free, when I was free
Repetition of the phrase to emphasize on the freedom he had.
Free to be who I want to be
Acknowledge the freedom to live the way he wanted.
Free to not care, ahh
Celebrate the freedom from concerns and responsibilities.
Free and lonely
Acknowledgment of the loneliness during his free life.
People would see me on the street
Recognition of the attention he received during his free life.
They'd stop and stare
Express the curiosity and interest people had in his free way of life.
Move out west
Decision to move to the west, seeking a free and adventurous life.
Living hand to mouth
Struggling to make ends meet, living on a daily basis.
My Hollywood plans have all gone south
Dream of making it big in Hollywood has not come true.
So I move back east where I can pay the rent
Decision to move back to the traditional way of life to afford rent.
But she want a big old house with a big old fence
Conflict over the partner's desire to settle down in a big house.
Free and lonely
Acknowledgment of the loneliness during his free life.
When I was free
Reflection on the past when he had the freedom.
People would see me on the street
Recognition of the attention he received during his free life.
They'd stop and stare
Express the curiosity and interest people had in his free way of life.
Free and lonely
Acknowledgment of the loneliness during his free life.
Contributed by Bailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.