You know that feeling when you finally stop trying to fit into a box someone else built for you? That's the heart of the set it all free lyrics sing fans still obsess over. It isn’t just some catchy pop-rock filler for an animated movie. It’s actually a pretty raw look at outgrowing a toxic situation.
In the 2016 movie Sing, Ash is this teenage porcupine who starts out playing second fiddle to her arrogant boyfriend, Lance. He’s the "star," and she’s just the backup. But then she finds her own voice. Honestly, the song is a huge moment of catharsis. Scarlett Johansson isn't just "doing a voice" here; she brings a gritty, alt-rock texture to the vocals that makes the lyrics feel earned.
The Story Behind the Set It All Free Lyrics Sing Performance
The song was written by Dave Bassett, the same guy behind Rachel Platten’s "Fight Song" and Elle King’s "Ex's & Oh's." You can totally hear that influence. It’s got that stomp-clap, high-energy defiance.
When Ash steps onto that stage in the movie, she’s not just singing for a competition. She’s singing because she just found out her boyfriend was cheating on her with a girl named Becky. She literally wears Becky's sunglasses during the performance as a "thank you for the motivation" kind of move.
The lyrics open with:
I followed my heart into the fire / Got burned, got broken down by desire.
It’s a heavy start for a PG movie, right? But it works because kids—and definitely adults—know what it feels like to realize they’ve been "blurry and blind" to someone’s bad behavior. The song is basically her "kiss goodbye" to that version of herself.
Breaking Down the Meaning
What’s cool about these lyrics is the transition from destruction to construction.
I picked all the pieces up off the ground / I've burned all my fingers but that's gone now / Got the glue in my hands and stickin' to the plan.
She’s literal about it. She’s the one putting her life back together. It’s not about finding a new boyfriend or getting external validation. It’s about the "plan" that says she can do anything.
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The chorus is where the real power is:
I can finally see, it's not just a dream / When you set it all free, all free, all free.
The "you" in the song is dual-purpose. On one hand, she’s talking to Lance, telling him she’s setting the whole relationship free so she can fly. On the other, she’s talking to herself. She’s giving herself permission to stop holding back.
Why Scarlett Johansson was the Perfect Choice
A lot of people forget that Scarlett Johansson actually has a music career outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She released a Tom Waits cover album back in 2008 called Anywhere I Lay My Head. She has this specific, smoky contralto voice that fits a "punk rock porcupine" way better than a typical high-pitched "pop princess" voice would.
Her performance of the set it all free lyrics sing version feels authentic. It’s got a bit of a Joan Jett or Courtney Love vibe, but sanitized just enough for a family film. When she hits those notes in the bridge—I will reach so high, shoot so far—you actually believe she’s a rock star.
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Small Details You Might Have Missed
There’s a fun little Easter egg during the performance. At the very end of the song, Ash does this specific guitar move and a dramatic finish that is a direct nod to Marty McFly’s performance of "Johnny B. Goode" in Back to the Future. It’s a nice touch that connects the song to the history of "outsider" rock performances in cinema.
Also, it’s worth noting that "Set It All Free" was one of the few original songs in a movie that featured over 60 covers of famous pop hits. While the movie has everything from Frank Sinatra to Katy Perry, this song had to carry the emotional weight of a character’s entire growth arc.
Actionable Takeaways from Ash’s Anthem
If you're looking at these lyrics for more than just a karaoke session, there are some pretty solid life lessons buried in the rock 'n' roll:
- Don’t let anyone keep you "under their thumb." The lyrics explicitly mention being a girl caught under someone’s thumb. If a relationship or a job requires you to stay small so someone else can feel big, it’s time to set it all free.
- Own your "burns." The song acknowledges that she got burned and her fingers are messy with glue. It’s okay to be a work in progress. You don’t have to be perfect to be a rock star.
- Make it count. The line Make it count this time / I will make it count this time is a reminder that once you break free from a bad situation, you have a fresh start. Don't waste it.
Next time you hear the set it all free lyrics sing on a playlist, remember it’s not just a cartoon song. It’s a blueprint for anyone who’s ever had to pick up the pieces and start over.
To really get the most out of the song's energy, try listening to the full soundtrack version without the movie dialogue. You’ll notice the layering of the guitars and the rasp in the vocals much more clearly. If you're going through a transition yourself, use the bridge—My stars gonna shine brighter than your sun—as a personal mantra for your next "big hello."