Surrender Lyrics
When I first got here, had to find my way
But the end of the days were dark
When I was not clear, you showed me my mistakes
But told me keep the pace, don't get lost
So I shall not fear, yeah
That's how it feels when you love me
And you're my sightseer
'Cause before I'm in a rut
You multiply by 10 times what they took from me
[Pre-Chorus:]
You send out a branch from the longest tree
When I'm in quicksand
But in my mind it's really your arm to me
Can't believe it, what a lifting
[Chorus:]
Hard to believe (Surrender!)
But there's a difference (Surrender!)
I surrender (Surrender!)
'Cause I understand
For me (Surrender!)
There's no coincidence
Just confirmation
Let me see them hands
I asked you were you real at all
And when you entered, you found the biggest wall
Said "Is that all?" Made it fall
With your wonder, it blows my mind how you love me
So it's no wonder, I feel how I feel
I can't thank you enough for what you did for me
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
I was down on myself, and I called you
And your answer is "What can I do?"
So much you do for me
In the sound of my breath seen all the years of surrender
Just know I'm here reporting for duty
[Vamp:]
When it feel this good
Don't ever let go, go
Don't ever let go, oh
Don't ever let go, oh
When it feel this good
Don't ever let go, go
Don't ever let go, oh
Don't ever let go, oh
Please, just wave
Wave, wave
In this place
Wave, wave
Wave your hands
Wave, wave
About
Pharrell Williams called on multiple Grammy-winning soul singer Lalah Hathaway for the rousing gospel song “Surrender” from the soundtrack album for the movie Hidden Figures.
Lalah adapts her usually sultry and subtle vocal approach to compliment the celebratory sound on “Surrender.” The track with its throwback snare-driven Motown drum beat is peppered with the same type of high-pitched yelp that made songs like “Blurred Lines” memorable. (Although the song is credited to “Pharrell Williams & Lalah Hathaway,” Pharrell only contributes a harmony vocal to the song during one chorus after the bridge.)
Lyrically, the song is about an evolution from doubt to belief during times of adversity. It was first premiered as a live performance at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhUkFKLDKgw
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
