Here We Are

Album: Scars & Stories (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Fray's principle songwriters, singer Isaac Slade and guitarist Joe King, penned this song between them. Slade's contribution concerns his "split personality" and a full-on personal breakdown that he had in the summer of 2009. He explained to Denver Westword: "It's not really split left and right; it's more split outside and inside. I spent 27 years of my life caught between people-pleaser-Mr.-Christian-nice-guy and scared, alone, insecure kid inside that was kind of starving to death. A couple things sort of cracked the shell, but it was experiencing anger for the first time in my personal life and admitting that I tried a tactic of making everybody happy and admitting that it had failed miserably. And I sacrificed so much to try, and I was just done with it, dying inside."
  • King's contribution was about his first experiences of dating after his divorce. He explained to Denver Westword: "When you're only in one relationship all your life and that ends, you're like learning how to do the littlest and the simplest things. I remember the first couple dates I went on, I would say things like so serious, and I'd immediately freak them out because I was talking major big picture stuff and analyzing them as if they're going to be my wife or not.

    It was way to overboard and heavy. I just remember early on coming back to the house and writing a few lyrics. That paralyzing thing struck me, maybe because I was freaked out about what I was doing. But I'd like to think I was passionately taken by a woman. I think it was more just like, "Okay, I don't know what I'm doing here," and I'm just freaked out."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.