It's time to luagh,it's time to cry
It's time to be what you need to be
It won't be long 'til they are gone
And we can be what we want to be

I'm gonna run from everything
Everything that holds me down
Nothing to win, nothing to lose
You can't tell me what to do anymore

You can't tell me what to do anymore
Now I'm free, Now I'm free, Now I'm free
I'm gonna run, I'm gonna win
I'm gonna do what I need to do

'Cause it's time to be what I need to be
You can't tell me what to do anymore
You can't tell me what to do anymore
Now I'm free, Now I'm free, Now I'm free

I want hold air in my hand
Own the one thing you can't buy
Nothing to win, nothing to lose
I'm gonna run from everything

Everything that holds me down
Nothing to win, nothing to lose
It's time to be what I need to be
You can't tell me what to do anymore

You can't tell me what to do anymore
Now I'm free, now I'm free, Now I'm free


Lyrics submitted by nonemoreblack, edited by Tokaji

Free Lyrics as written by Ultra Nate Wyche Lem Springsteen

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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8 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this song is about coming into yourself. It's about changing yourself from one thing to t he next, during the long years we all ride. When adulthood arises, you are your own person. No one can tell you what to do "You can't tell me what to do anymore, Now I'm free." would displat what I am saying perfectly. "I'm gonna run from everything" I believe to mean that he will overcome his obstacles simply by running from them. "I want to hold air in my hand. Own the one thing you can't buy". This part is really interesting. It shows that he want to be unique. He is sick of replicas running around doing the same things. He wants to conquer the impossible and be like no other. Basically, this song is about growing up and achieveing desires that most people forget about growing up. Who actually dreams about holding air? Me, when I was like 4. But it would be still wonderful to do!

    U2on April 17, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    cool song.

    frenzyon November 29, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great song. Ha! I love the angry sound. It always makes me think of something or someone being liberated. I love listening to this song, just because it has a feeling of immense freedom after being held by I know not what. (a person perhaps? or maybe more something like society. It hardly matters, it's a great song.)

    grietjieon January 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    When I hear this song (particularly the chorus), I think of some form of independence..

    I'm going to play this song at my graduation party =)

    Spoon333on June 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeah this song is about independence as Jon Crosby uses a butterfly symbol in the single and music video.

    DDTon February 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It is definately about freedom. This freedom can go for anything however...becoming adult with more privledges, getting out of an abusive relationship, finding religion, or even escaping an oppressive country. Kinda makes me want to fight when I hear it.

    ilovevaston November 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is such a badass song! I put it right up there with "I won't back down" by Tom Petty. People coming out of a variety of miserable situations can relate to this song: divorce, leaving an oppressive job, getting out of prison, leaving the military...

    I wonder, though, if Jon was inspired to write this one from his struggles with the record company? The exact reason doesn't even matter! If you can relate to this song or if you just love freedom it's a badass song!!

    CrabMcNastyon August 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    This is one of my all time faves.This is one of those songs where meaning is a little different for each person at different times of their lives. This song makes me feel powerful and rings true in my life since I have been free from alcohol for past few years. Alcohol can't tell me what to do anymore. I now can be what I need to be. I now run from anything that holds me down. See? It can work for freedom from addiction. I listen to this song almost daily, and it helps to keep me strong. This song is empowering in any situation in which you have become free.

    FeederFanon April 18, 2013   Link

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