PositLive Music: Brave

Original image by Canva. Edited by E. Ballay

“Brave”

Written by: Sara Bareilles and Jack Antonoff

Released: April 23, 2013

Singer-Songwriter, Sara Bareilles, revealed that the lyrics to this song were inspired by a close friend. “Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly I want to see you be brave,” are what she would say to her friend, who was struggling to come out (source). However, the song lyrics apply to anyone who is struggling to be themselves, express themselves, or express their opinion. It’s for anyone who needs that boost of encouragement to be brave.

“There’s so much honor and integrity and beauty in being able to be who you are, [and] it’s important to be brave because by doing that you also give others permission to do the same,” Bareilles said in an interview (source).

So, what does this mean for you in your own personal life? Listen, reflect, and be inspired to be brave.

Select PositLive Music: Lyrical Playlist to view all playlist songs as they’re being added.
Select Exploring New Ways to PositLive to read about the inspiration for PositLive Music.

“Brave” Sung by Sara Bareilles

Brave: Lyrics

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…

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 (Rep 1X)

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

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

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

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
See you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you (Rep 1X)