Gravity

Album: Here on Earth (Ultimate Edition) (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Tim McGraw recorded "Gravity" for the 2018 American documentary film Free Solo. The motion picture tells the story of rock climber Alex Honnold's quest to climb the 3,200-foot El Capitan rock formation in California's Yosemite National Park on his own, and without ropes.
  • McGraw wrote the song with singer-songwriter Lori McKenna, who previously penned his hit single "Humble and Kind." It describes the courage and perseverance of Honmold as he overcomes the obstacles and doubts that threatened to derail his mission.

    Look what you have overcome to get here
    Look at the distance you've run
    The doubt that you push down
    Fear you have drawn out
    When they said that it couldn't be done
    In your head
    In your heart
    And In your hands


    McGraw explained that Lori McKenna and him wanted song's lyrics "to be a reminder that fear is a battle fought on a variety of planes, from mental to spiritual to physical."

    He added: "We tend to think 'fearlessness' is synonymous with big bold gestures, but there's also a fragility inherent in risk - and we wanted that to come through."
  • Tim McGraw was initially reluctant after being asked to write a song for Free Solo, as he has no interest in mountain climbing and is afraid of heights. However once he started watching the film, he was hooked.

    McGraw explained to Billboard he was drawn to Alex Honnold's passion and commitment and his contrasting calmness. "As we were watching the movie, I had a little notebook and I started writing down phrases and ideas and things that struck me," he said. "I was emotionally invested in the movie right away."
  • This was the third song that McGraw had written for a film, following "My Little Girl" from Flicka and "Keep Your Eyes on Me " from The Shack.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.