Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: piano
Song Meaning of “1961” by The Fray
‘1961’ by The Fray is an uplifting song about how, when we look back to the past, it is only in ourselves that we can find the courage to carry on after enduring struggles and hardship. The narrator remembers the events of a past year, 1961, which represents a time in which he was able to overcome his troubles. The lyrics reflect upon the wisdom he gained through these trials and how he was able to stand strong despite the odds.
The first verse brings to light the hardships in the narrator’s life as he alludes to a raging war outside his door and a cold winter inside. He remembers being “asleep and numb, just 20 years old” but manages to find within himself the courage to carry on. He notes that he was able to find strength in an Asian man with a thousand stories and in “the dream of a thousand dreams”.
The chorus reflects upon how the narrator is a “soldier on the rise” and how he has been able to move beyond the struggles he faced. He mentions faith being his guide as he notes “faith over fear, never shed no tears”. He not only found strength in those around him but also in faith, which has given him an understanding that whatever may come, he will stand tall and persevere.
The second verse notes how the narrator’s story is like a broken record that keeps playing.