Ryan Ellis - Solo Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
I did my best
I tried to do it on my own
Never restin
I worked my spirit to the bone bone
Living my life out
In the trenches like a warzone
I was running low just like
Power to my cell phone
I'm just a product of a world
That's gone crazy
I tried to play the game
To win and then it played me
I pray to God at night
I'm looking for some safety
Was reaching out for love
But I know love already saved me
Chorus
So maybe
I don't have to run this show
I'ma let You take control
It's better when You do I know
I don't wanna try to fly solo solo
I don't have to run this show
I'ma let You take control
It's better when You do I know
I don't wanna try to fly solo
Refrain
Solo solo solo solo
I don't wanna try to fly solo
Solo solo solo
Verse 2
So I surrender
You can be the one that fights hard
You like to drive
I can be the kid in the sidecar
That's how you do it
When you're running with a superstar
Tough on my pride but no lie
It's better for my heart
I got a message for the ones
That come against me
I'm not afraid
I turn 'em over to my bestie
He's winning battles man
I wonder what the next be
I think I'll leave it
To the One that never left me
Chorus
So maybe
I don't have to run this show
I'ma let You take control
It's better when You do I know
I don't wanna try to fly solo solo
I don't have to run this show
I'ma let You take control
It's better when You do I know
I don't wanna try to fly solo
Outro
Solo solo solo solo
I don't wanna try to fly solo
Solo solo solo
I don't wanna try to fly
Outro
Solo solo solo solo
I don't wanna try to fly solo
Solo solo
Video
Ryan Ellis - Solo [Visualizer]
Meaning & Inspiration
Ryan Ellis’s “Solo,” released on July 14, 2023, arrives as a powerful declaration of surrender and faith, offering a profound spiritual message rather than a mere melodic experience. The song’s narrative unfolds from a place of intense personal struggle, with Ellis recounting efforts to manage life’s challenges entirely on his own. He describes working himself “to the bone,” living life “in the trenches like a warzone,” and feeling depleted, comparing his own energy to a “cell phone” running low on power. This depiction of isolation and exhaustion resonates with the human tendency to believe we must carry every burden ourselves, a sentiment echoed in the struggles of many biblical figures. The verse speaks to the overwhelming nature of a world that can feel chaotic and deceptive, where attempts to “play the game to win” can lead to being “played” instead. This is a familiar theme in Scripture, where the prophet Jeremiah lamented his own helplessness in the face of overwhelming circumstances (Jeremiah 20:7).
The turning point in “Solo” arrives with the chorus, where Ellis explicitly states, “I don’t wanna try to fly solo.” This is not a surrender to defeat, but a conscious and hopeful relinquishing of control to a higher power. He expresses a desire to “let You take control,” recognizing that “it’s better when You do.” This profound shift in perspective is deeply rooted in biblical wisdom. The desire to fly solo, to navigate life independently, often stems from pride or a lack of trust, but the song beautifully illustrates the liberation found in acknowledging our limitations and entrusting our lives to God. The refrain, a simple yet impactful repetition of “Solo solo solo,” underscores the central theme of the song’s core message – the rejection of independent navigation in favor of divine guidance.
Verse two expands on this newfound commitment to relinquishing control, with Ellis declaring, “So I surrender. You can be the one that fights hard.” He likens himself to a “kid in the sidecar,” a powerful metaphor for willingly following the lead of a capable driver. This imagery speaks to a humble submission, acknowledging that God’s strength and wisdom are far superior to our own. This sentiment is directly supported by Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, for He will make our paths straight. Ellis further finds strength in this surrendered posture, recognizing it as “better for my heart.” He declares he is not afraid of opposition, turning his challenges over to his “bestie” – a loving and intimate reference to God. The lyrics suggest that God is the ultimate victor, the One who is “winning battles,” and Ellis wisely chooses to “leave it to the One that never left me.” This unwavering faithfulness of God is a cornerstone of Christian belief, as stated in Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." The song's message is a powerful testament to the peace and strength found when we cease striving in our own limited capacity and instead place our complete trust in the unfailing power and love of God, recognizing that true freedom comes not from independence, but from intimate dependence.