Artist is used to label background music and insert songs from the Cartoon … Read Full Bio ↴Artist is used to label background music and insert songs from the Cartoon Network animated series Steven Universe. Music for the series is primarily composed by Aivi & Surasshu, Jeff Liu, Ben Levin, and series creator Rebecca Sugar. Many tracks are available for listening on Aivi & Surasshu and Jeff Liu's official soundcloud pages and are labeled as Steven Universe on these pages.

Escapism
Steven Universe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I guess I have to face
That in this awful place
I shouldn't show a trace of doubt
But pulled against the grain
I feel a little pain
That I would rather do without
I'd rather be...
Free-ee-ee

Free-ee-ee
Free...
I'd rather be
Free-ee-ee
Free-ee-ee
Free...
Free-ee-ee
Free-ee-ee

Free...
From here

Overall Meaning

This song is titled Escapism and it is a reflective and introspective piece by Steven Universe. Steven seems to be expressing his desire to escape from his current state of being. It's a small, timid song about the importance of personal freedom, and how essential it is to escape from negative situations. Steven is trapped somewhere miserable, somewhere where he doesn't belong. He is confronting the fact that he is not in a good place and that he should not be doubtful or hesitant about his desire for freedom. Steven is brave for acknowledging his pain and his desire to be free.

The repeated use of the word "free" in the chorus of the song reinforces the feeling of entrapment and the desire for release. Steven is processing his anxieties through music and the song is a testament to the power of creative expression to help one deal with negative emotions. In a way, this song encapsulates the central message of the Steven Universe franchise: love and freedom are essential to human (or gem) existence.

Line by Line Meaning

I guess I have to face
I acknowledge that I have to confront my situation

That in this awful place
I recognize that I am in a terrible environment

I shouldn't show a trace of doubt
I shouldn't display any uncertainty or apprehension

But pulled against the grain
Despite this, I still feel a sense of resistance

I feel a little pain
This resistance causes me discomfort

That I would rather do without
I prefer not to experience this pain

I'd rather be... Free-ee-ee
I desire to be liberated

Free-ee-ee Free-ee-ee Free...
Freedom is something I want and need

I'd rather be Free-ee-ee Free-ee-ee Free...
I emphasize how much I crave freedom

From here
I specifically want to escape from my current situation

Writer(s): Aivi Tran, Rebecca Rea Sugar, Steven Velema

Contributed by Isabella H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.