Meaning of “Born to be Brave” by Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo's smash hit "Born to Be Brave" captivates listeners with its catchy pop sound and powerful message, but what if there's a deeper meaning in the lyrics than meets the eye? In this imaginative exploration, let's delve into the theory that the song is actually about an unnoticed character who discovers the power of time travel, providing a fresh perspective on the song's meaning.
The opening lyrics present the theory's foundation, setting the stage with the line "Before I even knew myself, I knew I was born to be brave." This sentiment suggests our unnamed protagonist has always sensed a larger purpose in life, being destined for greatness. With this premonition, the character embarks on a journey of self-discovery, eventually discovering the ability to time travel.
One may wonder why time travel is introduced as the unexpected twist. To understand this, let's explore the line "I know that I still have a long way to go." This lyric represents the protagonist's discovery of time travel and the acknowledgment that the journey has just begun. Our protagonist now realizes that the true path to bravely fulfilling their destiny lies in traversing time, learning from their experiences, and growing as an individual.
As for the time-traveling ability, consider the seemingly innocuous lyrics "I see flowers dancing around in the wind." This imagery suggests an aspect of nature that our protagonist may not fully comprehend, yet they are drawn to the flowers "dancing" – a veiled allusion to the movement in time.
Drawing interesting parallels from other musical works and cultural references, one cannot help but to consider the similarities shared between "Born to Be Brave" and David Bowie's masterpiece "Heroes." The lyrics "We can be heroes just for one day" resonate with the theme of bravery and reaching one's full potential despite apparent limitations. Similarly, our protagonist from "Born to Be Brave" ventures through time to reach their own potential, emerging as a hero.
From the unnamed character's point of view, the poignant lyrics "Just open up your heart and believe, you are born to be brave" reaffirms their calling and destiny. They learn to embrace their newly discovered time-traveling ability, facing the challenges and adversities that come with it. The importance of believing in oneself connects with themes from famous cultural works like the "Harry Potter" series, where characters often face their true potential through the struggles between good and evil.
Furthermore, the line "And I'll find a way to survive, no matter what the world takes away" showcases the resilience our protagonist and the undying determination to face whatever comes their way through the course of their time-traveling journeys.
"Born to Be Brave" does more than just uplift listeners with its powerful message. The song cleverly disguises a conceptual layer within its lyrics that transforms it into a time-travel odyssey, spurring deeper thoughts and emotions than one would perceive at first glance. As the song seamlessly intertwines relatable themes, unexpected theories, and cultural references, Olivia Rodrigo has crafted a versatile narrative that transcends traditional songwriting boundaries and left us feeling invigorated, inspired, and more than prepared to face our destinies.
