I couldn't agree with you more that Switchfoot definitely falls under the transformationist category of contemporary Christian music.
In high school I bought Switchfoot's album "The Beautiful Letdown" after being introduced to their music by a friend of mine who was a very devout Christian. Initially I was not attracted to their music for the Christian themes and I find it very fitting that when interviewed about their music as you noted in your entry, Switchfoot was very vocal about not wanting to be categorized as "Christian rock" as they feel that includes and excludes some viewers. After listening to "The Beautiful Letdown" several times and after falling in love with the songs Dare You To Move, More Than Fine, and On Fire, I gave a friend of mine who was openly Atheist, a copy of the album. Though she did not take the religious elements of the lyrics literally or in a religious interpretation, she told me she really loved the album and believed that for non-Christians the lyrics that include verses like:
"You are the hope I have for change/you are the only chance I'll take/When I'm on fire when you're near me,"
"It was a beautiful let down when you found me here/Yeah for once in a rare blue moon I see everything clear/I'll be a beautiful let down..."
and
"I dare you to move/I dear you to move/I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor/I dare you to move/I dare you to move like today never happened"
could relate to these lyrics and interpret them not necessarily as religious or Christian, though the allusions to Christianity in the lyrics are quite evident, but as either romantic or poetic lyrics that any person regardless of their faith, could relate to.These lyrics deal with the human condition and the feelings that are universal to all humans, such as love, longing, doubt, and hope. Furthermore, some of Switchfoot's songs have lyrics that aren't as blatantly religious, such as the lyrics in their song More Than Fine:
"I want more than just ok, more than just ok.
When I'm up with the sunrise
I want more than just blue skies.
I want more than just ok, more than just ok.
I'm not giving up, giving up, not giving up now.
I'm not giving up, giving up, not backing down.
More than fine, more than bent on getting by.
More than fine, more than just ok."
-- the lyrics in this song do not have any particularly strong religious allusions tied to them and are a great example of how many of Switchfoot songs deal with the frustrations, doubts, and spiritual problems we all experience at some point in our lives. The fact that two of my friends with opposing faiths, one being very Christian and the other very Atheist, were both able to relate to and have a positive response to this album is yet another indication of how Switchfoot's music need not be classified as Christian music but rather as good music, music that is enjoyable to people of all faiths.
In fact many of Switchfoot's more current songs deal with other themes in society. For example, their song Easier Than Love talks about the skeptical and destructive elements in our society today, with lyrics such as:
"Sex is industry,
The CEO, of corporate policy
Skin-deep ministry,
Suburban youth, hail your so-called liberty
Every advertising antic,
Our banner waves with a neon glow
War and love become pedantic,
We wage love with a mistletoe"
These lyrics do not overtly discuss God, Jesus, faith or spirituality, but rather discuss the pitfalls of our society and the destructive nature of some of the actions and influence of certain people in our society, and seem to make a political statement more-so than a religious one.
Even the lyrics that have a more religious statement to them could be regarded as lyrics that promote being a good, kind, positive person--which for some, means being a good Christian, but for others, these lyrics can simply be viewed as motivational lyrics.
Overall, I think it is more accurate to classify Switchfoot as a rock band that has spiritual and poetic lyrics rather than a Christian band that sings about God or Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment