Brave

Album: All That Echoes (2013)
Charted: 64
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the lead single from Josh Groban's sixth album, All That Echoes. Groban introduced the ballad at a listening party at the Sunset Towers in West Hollywood by saying, "I really like sad songs - woe is me, depress-o. It feels like a natural thing."
  • Co-written with longtime songwriting partner Tawgs Salter ("You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)"), the ballad steps away from the trademark Groban sound as it gradually builds, ending with a chiming electric guitar. "We wanted the song to have an intensity and an urgency, even if they're in more of a traditional style vocally," Groban told Billboard magazine. "The goal was to try and bridge those two worlds."
  • The song marks Groban's first collaboration with Canadian singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk. "We've always been sniffing around for the right thing to do," Groban told Billboard magazine of his long-time friend. "Tawgs and I wrote this melody and she was in the forefront of my mind, so we gave her a couple of ideas and she just flew with it. Tawgs had been playing this riff on a guitar while I was playing on the piano and the first thing I started singing was 'Wake up, wake up.' So from the get-go we felt this was a song about rejuvenation."
  • Groban explained to Billboard magazine that he and producer Rob Cavallo knew straight away this was the right song to lead his All That Echoes album. "As I sang the first few words of the song, it all of a sudden felt that we had the first inspiration, the first nucleus of something that could be really inspirational, really fun," he said. "As people started listening to it, they were like, 'Yeah, this is a good first single.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.