When NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear and Bo Rinehart set out to write the songs that appear on the band’s new album, The Reckoning, they felt something bigger awaited them. It wasn’t just commercial success either. The band’s last album The Outsiders hit No. 9 on Billboard’s Rock Albums chart, went Top 20 on the Top 200, saw the band sell out venues such as Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and Chicago’s House of Blues, and score an impressive number of placements in blockbuster films and numerous prime time television-shows.
With their reputation as a must-see live act built from non-stop touring, the Rinehart brothers, pastor’s sons who hail from the rural South Carolina town of Possum Kingdom, along with drummer Joe Stillwell and bass player Seth Bolt, were determined to create a statement-making album that truly captured the magic behind this genuinely appealing rock band.
Lyrically, all roads lead from the album’s title, which Bear says has several different meanings, one of them being the justification of accounts. “I like the idea that you put in all this work and at some point it comes to a peak -- that’s the reckoning time.”
What the band emerged with is a timeless-sounding album rooted in classic American rock and roll, unafraid to veer off into unexpected directions. Songs such as “Maybe They’re On To Us” address the paranoia of wondering whether people know too much about the band. “It also asks, ‘Are we still driven in the same way?’ We’re always questioning ourselves,” Bear says. Even the songs that may sound light-hearted on the surface, like “White Fences,” “Slumber,” and “Drive All Night,” explore serious themes. “’White Fences’ is about the American dream of growing up in a big house with a white picket fence, but when the dream is broken and things don’t pan out the way you planned, asking who’s going to fix it,” Bo says. “’Slumber’ is meant to be about how beauty is all around you but you just can’t see it because of the funk you’re in,” Bear says. “It speaks to something that we really care about which is giving yourself a chance.” And there’s “Drive All Night,” a galloping barnstormer that Bear sees as a statement on the false idea that one can run away from one’s problems.
With their intriguing melodies and bright choruses, the songs on The Reckoning are certain to translate in the live setting, something that is crucial to the band. “The worst thing that could happen is you get done playing and people don’t think about you again. We’ll do whatever it takes to force people to make a decision about our band, whether they love us or not. It makes for more passionate fans.”
Washed By the Water
NEEDTOBREATHE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was his wife
Just trying to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light
People started talking
Just to hear their own voice
Those people tried to accuse my father
Said he made the wrong choice
Though it might be painful
You know that time will always tell
Those people have long since gone
My father never failed
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
'Cause even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
'Cause even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won't never ever let you down
I won't fall
I won't fall
I won't fall as long as you're around me
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
'Cause even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
'Cause even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
'Cause even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
'Cause even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
The song "Washed By The Water" by NEEDTOBREATHE is a testimony of a son to his father who was a preacher and his wife. The opening lines introduce the two characters as people who were trying to bring positivity to the society, becoming significant influencers by spreading their wisdom and shining their light in the world. However, people started talking, trying to hear their own voices and leveling false accusations against the father. The songwriter points out how people may be quick to make judgments without knowing the full story.
The chorus of the song is a powerful reminder that even when things seem to be falling apart, God will always be there to wash us by the water. Even when someone is accused and judged unjustly, and everything seems to be crumbling, there will always be hope in God to make things right. The song is an encouragement to trust in God and to believe that He has a plan, even when we can't see it. When everything else fails, God's grace and mercy are always present to make us clean again.
The second verse continues to emphasize the idea of being washed by the water, even in the midst of adversity. The songwriter acknowledges that no matter the circumstances, he will not fall as long as God is around him. Through this song, he encourages others also to stand firm in their faith and to trust that God has the power to make all things right. Even when the rain falls, even when the floods start rising, and the storms keep coming, God's grace is sufficient to sustain us.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy was a preacher
My father was a religious leader
She was his wife
My mother was his partner and supporter
Just trying to make the world a little better
They aimed to improve the lives of others
You know, shine a light
They wanted to spread positivity and hope
People started talking
People began to gossip
Just to hear their own voice
They talked merely for their own amusement
Those people tried to accuse my father
They tried to blame my father
Said he made the wrong choice
They believed he made a mistake
Though it might be painful
Although it was difficult
You know that time will always tell
The truth will reveal itself eventually
Those people have long since gone
Those people are no longer present or significant
My father never failed
My father remained steadfast and strong
Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even if my world falls apart
Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me
Even if the people I care about betray me
I won't never ever let you down
I won't disappoint you
I won't fall
I won't give up
I won't fall as long as you're around me
I'll remain strong as long as you support me
Even when the rain falls
Even in difficult times
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when everything seems to be going wrong
'Cause even when the storm comes
Because despite the challenges
I am washed by the water
I am cleansed and renewed by my faith and beliefs
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nathaniel Rinehart, William Rinehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind