“Brave” is a song that has touched many hearts since its release in 2013. Inspired by a close friend’s struggles in coming out as gay, the song is a powerful anthem that encourages listeners to speak up and be true to themselves. It’s no wonder that “Brave” received positive reviews from music critics and became Sara Bareilles’s third top 40 hit in the United States.
This sentiment is reflected in the accompanying music video, which features clips of people dancing in public places as Bareilles sings in the foreground. The video’s director, Rashida Jones, does a great job of capturing the song’s spirit of inclusivity and celebration.
In this article, we will analyze the lyrics of “Brave” to understand the meaning behind the words.
Table of Contents
“Brave” Lyrics Meaning
Before we delve into the story behind this song, let’s take a closer look at each verse of the lyrics.
Verse 1
“You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you”
The opening verse acknowledges the power of words and how they can either uplift or harm individuals.
Sara Bareilles invites listeners to consider the consequences of remaining silent and suppressing their true thoughts and emotions.
The lyrics encourage the exploration of what would happen if one mustered the courage to speak up and express themselves honestly.
Chorus
“Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave”
The chorus serves as an anthem of self-expression and embracing bravery. It emphasizes the importance of speaking one’s truth without fear of judgment or criticism. Bareilles highlights her desire to witness individuals being authentic and true to themselves.
The repetition of “I just wanna see you” emphasizes the genuine desire for people to break free from their constraints and embrace their bravery.
Verse 2
“Everybody’s been there, everybody’s been stared down
By the enemy
Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing
Bow down to the mighty
But don’t run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is”
The second verse addresses the universal experience of facing adversity and feeling judged or marginalized. It acknowledges that fear often leads us to shrink away, conform to societal expectations, and remain silent.
However, the lyrics encourage listeners to defy this fear and stop suppressing their voices. The idea of escaping the metaphorical cage symbolizes breaking free from self-imposed limitations and societal pressures.
Bareilles challenges listeners to demonstrate the magnitude of their bravery and reveal their true selves.
Bridge
“Innocence, your history of silence
Won’t do you any good
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don’t you tell them the truth?
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave”
The bridge of the song highlights the futility of remaining silent and adhering to a history of silence.
Bareilles challenges the notion that silence is beneficial, urging listeners to let their words carry meaning and authenticity.
She encourages people to be courageous and speak their truth, emphasizing the desire to witness their bravery firsthand.
Music Video
Sara Bareilles’ hit song “Brave” not only did well on the music charts but also grabbed the attention of actress and director Rashida Jones. Back in 2013, Jones directed the lyric video for the song, and it premiered on Bareilles’ Vevo account on April 17th of that year.
Bareilles mentioned in an interview that working with Jones happened naturally and was an important part of her creative journey. She had high praise for Jones, describing her as brilliant, creative, and visionary, expressing a desire to collaborate with more women like her.
The music video was filmed in various public places across Los Angeles, like a shopping mall, a farmers’ market, a gym, a library, and a bus stop. It features Bareilles singing alongside clips of people dancing, leading to a group dance with the singer herself. The video first premiered on May 14, 2013, and has since gathered over 135 million views as of December 2022.
Clearly, the collaboration between Bareilles and Jones was a hit, as the video continues to captivate audiences with its message of courage and self-expression.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Brave”
Sara Bareilles’ song “Brave” became very popular among the LGBTQ+ community after its release in 2013. Co-writer Jack Antonoff even called it a “civil rights anthem” in a 2013 interview.
“Brave” is essentially a catchy pop song that encourages people to be ourselves without fear. The standout part of the song is the chorus which urges listeners to speak their minds: “Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly I want to see you be brave.”
This message of being true to oneself resonates strongly with the LGBTQ+ community, who often face discrimination for being authentic.
Sara Bareilles wrote “Brave” for a close friend who was struggling with coming out. The song became a source of support and encouragement not only for her friend but also for others in similar situations. It’s now an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, offering hope to those who feel marginalized.
“Brave” is written in B♭ major and has a moderate tempo of 92 beats per minute. Its upbeat power pop style makes it a popular radio hit. While the producer aimed for radio play, Sara Bareilles values her message more than commercial success.
Overall, this song reminds us to embrace our differences, find our inner strength, and make a positive impact on the world. So, let’s take its message to heart as we go through life: Be true to ourselves, speak up for what we believe in, and create a better world.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.