"How to Save a Life" was written by the alternative rock group,
The Fray. It was the most popular song from their debut album "How to Save
a Life". As the title of the song suggests, it provides a walk through on
saving someone from taking his own life. The song was written when the
songwriter, Isaac Slade, was mentoring a troubled teen at a camp. He knew of
the teen’s problems, but could do nothing about it since he had no idea how to
approach the boy at the time. Before he could figure out a way to truly connect
and save the kid, he was gone. After the death of the kid, Slade chose to write
this song as a way express what he wishes he could have done.
Within
the first verse, Slade sings about the first step to take. Confrontation. He
starts it by singing, “Step one, you say we need to talk. He walks, you
say sit down, it's just a talk.” He uses this to show the first step to
stopping someone from making harmful life choices is to sit him down and talk
to him. Let’s call the saver Person A, and the friend Person B. The next few
lines in this verse imply that the friend will deny the need to talk and walk
away. The last two lines then states that after some contemplation, Person A
questions the reasons behind his attempts to save Person B. It shows that Person
A chooses to give up his approach to Person B only because Person B chooses not
to talk.
Throughout the
reoccurring chorus, Slade sings in a manner that shows he had no clue how to
save his friend. If only he had known the steps and approach to save him, he
would have done so. The first line questions where Person A failed in his
attempt to save the friend, and in the third line, “Somewhere along in the
bitterness”, it can be inferred that Person A was bitter throughout the events
that Person B chose to fulfill his life in that way. The regret throughout the
chorus is obvious especially towards the end once Slade begins singing “And I
would have stayed up with you all night, Had I known how to save a life.” It
shows that Person A wishes that he had stated with Person B throughout the
night to comfort him. Something Person B needed most.
During the third
verse, Slade begins the second step. Once Person B is confronted and talking,
Person A should slowly begin his attempt to break through the B’s barrier. For
obvious reasons, B would put up a shield to block out other people, but A has
to get through and slowly unwind B to determine the truth. The emotion is felt
throughout the song as Slade sings this verse. Towards the end, Slade’s voice
begins to get louder, and sound a slightly strained. This shows his increase in
emotion and the want of Person B’s survival. He sings that way to break through
to the truth that once a person is bent on that path, it becomes harder for
others to talk him out of it. The third line hints at a repetition of times
that Person A confronted B about his situation. “Lay down a list of what is
wrong, The things you’ve told him all along.” This shows that Person A has
tried multiple times, but B chooses not to listen.
The last verse
contains the most emotion throughout the song. This is where the talk is raised
to an argument, when the two begin raising their voices trying to convince the
other of their own side. Person A states a reasonable scenario while as Person
B will reply with only one of two ways. His barrier will either be shattered
and he will open up and admit to all that has been going on, or he will
strengthen the lock on his emotions and choose to shut out not only Person A,
but also everyone else who will attempt to help him. His reason to do so will
be that no one understands him anymore. That now he is completely different.
And once again, Person A will question his motives as to why he is attempting
to help.
The song ends with
the chorus repeating. This goes back and creates a sense of “Why did I give
up?” It repeats Person A’s loss of light. That he is remorseful because he
feels that he could have done something if he had known what to do, and that he
feels guilty because he had no idea how to do it but would have done whatever
he could if he had known that it was the right thing to do.
The Fray’s “How to
Save a Life” Slade chooses to show the truth behind saving a life. That rather
than choosing a silent treatment, one should confront their friend. Ceasing
their efforts to hasten the end of the race of life. Slade uses his true
emotion to show his regret that he would have saved his friend’s life if only
he knew how.
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