Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “100” by Brandi Carlile
“100” by Brandi Carlile is a thoughtful and reflective song about the strong presence of love within the human spirit, in the face of uncertainty and fragility of life. The song opens with the lyrics, “I am full of life, and I am so fragile too.” Carlile poignantly acknowledges the paradoxical nature of life: the simultaneous fullness of life’s capacity to bring both joy and despair.
The renowned singer-songwriter then describes how uncertain and uncertainly life can become. She paints a picture of a world filled with walls that “stop the rising tide” and “cut you away from your light.” In a world filled with so much darkness, Carlile is offering us hope. She implores us to remember our “light within,” to never cease in our search for love, and to never forget the strength of the human spirit.
The song takes a turn towards the chorus when Carlile sings, “If I live to be one hundred, I’ll never forget…” The lyrics hint at a sense of eternity within the human spirit, and serves as a reminder that love and life are both fragile and everlasting. As the song progresses, Carlile increasingly emphasizes this duality in her lyrics. She speaks of life’s “sweetest refrain” that carries through “all of heartache and pain.” In the final chorus, she sings of a “ripple effect that never ceases,” which she wants to be remembered “’til the river runs dry and the ground no longer welcomes me.”
Ultimately, “100” by Brandi Carlile is an inspiring song about the beauty and strength of love and life in the face of uncertainty. We are reminded of the power of the human spirit and the resilience of our love to hold us up, no matter the circumstances. In a world often filled with darkness, it serves as a call to never forget our light within.