Shine Through the Stars
Ever try to talk about God at a ba… Read Full Bio ↴Chasen
Shine Through the Stars
Ever try to talk about God at a bar? Faith and clubs may seem unlikely companions, but powerhouse pop/rock trio Chasen sees no need to divide the two. Whether playing for crowds on Sunday at their hometown church, or on weekdays at clubs like House of Blues and Ashville’s own Orange Peel, this new band’s refreshingly unaffected honesty and hook-heavy rock sound right at home.
The band got its start in the church, writing praise and worship choruses for Sunday services and youth group events. Lead singer/songwriter and namesake Chasen Callahan pulled together fellow bandmates — guitarist Silver and drummer Aaron Lord — to help him compile an independent CD of songs Callahan had played at summer youth camps. The music was so good, the disc soon found its way into the hands of upstart label OMG, a small new entertainment enterprise in the historic West End of Greenville, South Carolina. Drawing inspiration from its location — well outside the modern music hubs of L.A., New York, and Nashville — OMG sought to find fresh talent in unexpected places, and saw the young band as a perfect debut for its roster.
OMG’s hunch was correct. Since signing, Chasen has already tasted extensive success, despite not yet having a project in the marketplace. The band has toured heavily, opening for the likes of Relient K, NEEDTOBREATHE, and mainstream rockers Sister Hazel. They’ve already seen an early single, “Crazy Beautiful,” climb to a Top-5 position on Christian radio charts. Leveraging its forward-thinking predilection, OMG also orchestrated a cross-promotion with the Zipit Wireless Messenger 2, or “Z2,” whereby national advertising for the hot new teen-targeted portable device prominently features Chasen’s music.
These accomplishments provide an impressive segue to the band’s national debut, Shine Through the Stars. Showcasing their inspirational brand of rootsy pop, the 13-song collection is set to release in April 2008 for OMG Music and distribution partner EMI CMG. Chasen recorded the project at OMG Studios under the direction of award-winning producer Noel Golden, whose earlier credits include Matchbox Twenty, Edwin McCain, and Lee Ann Womack.
Sole songwriter and lead singer Callahan also contributed guitar and piano on the project. A prolific, self-taught musician, Callahan says his ability runs in the family. “When I was 13, I played drums for my dad’s band” – an ensemble facetiously dubbed ‘Potter Zye.’ Dad next encouraged him to lead worship songs for the youth group at church, and Callahan’s talent grew from there.
The songs on Shine Through the Stars center around trying to live a life of conscience and conviction amid a society where that pursuit can be polarizing. Writing candidly from his own experience, Callahan manages to provide a positive voice in his music without proselytizing, creating a project that is easily accessible to a wide variety of listeners.
Case in point is the radio single “Crazy Beautiful.” In jangly, melodically-driven rock, the song offers an up-beat, healthy perspective on the pressure we all feel to maintain a camera-perfect image. “This song is for the ones who think they’re not pretty enough or cool enough,” Callahan explains. “The next time you look at yourself in the mirror, remember that God looks at us all the same. He’s capable of making you exactly how you were intended to be.” The song’s sympathetic reminder that it’s what is on the inside that counts has propelled it up radio charts and connected Chasen with a host of teenage fans.
The project also dips into more plaintive subject matter at points. “Drown” — a song about overcoming lust — was written several years ago when Callahan was struggling with making responsible choices about dating and sex. Then a hot-blooded American teenager himself, he penned the gentle ballad while sitting alone at South Carolina’s venerable Folly Beach in the early hours of the morning. The waves mirrored the thoughts he felt would overwhelm him.
“God has a way of teaching us through everyday life,” he recalls. “Drowning in those circumstances I was dealing with at the time was not an option, and this song is about finding redemption from that situation.”
Throughout the project, Callahan’s songs reveal his close relationship with God. Following Christ is a singular passion of his that adds an earnest depth to his songwriting. Not complicated or religious, Callahan’s songs manage to remain a simple, humble, and grateful acknowledgement of the Divine at work in his life.
“Waking up to a sunrise or watching a sunset over the ocean makes me thankful,” he admits. He often sees God reflected in nature, from the mountains in his hometown of Pickens, South Carolina, to the Pacific Northwest wilderness surrounding his extended family in Oregon. Stars have a particular significance for Callahan, thanks to a cherished memory of his grandfather that forms the foundation of the album’s title, and closing, song.
“My grandfather was a huge inspiration in my life,” he says. “Just before he died, when I was ten years old, he told me to find a star and never look away. By that, he meant to choose a goal and strive to achieve that goal, without ever looking back.”
With the release of Shine Through the Stars, Callahan and his eponymously-titled band are looking ahead to more than they even dared to dream. As heavy touring continues and the promise of further radio success builds, Chasen is on a path that will enable them to share their message of hope with a much larger audience.
“Christ didn’t stay within the four walls of a church,” Callahan says. “He went to the streets. That’s where I feel led to go, too. People need to know that Christ loves them no matter where they are.”
And, whether it’s Sunday, Saturday, or any day in between, Chasen is prepared to take that message to them.
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Drown
Chasen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listening to the waves as
They crash upon the sand.
It's just a Black Sea.
The moonlight and me.
[Chorus]
It's sink or swim.
Somebody rescue me.
'Cause I'm goin' against the stream.
I fell in love with somebody like you.
And I know yeah that you wanted me to.
You told me who I was.
But I don't want to.
No, I don't want to.
I don't wan to.
I don't wanna' drown.
Thinking about these words
How do they fit and
How do they come together?
What do they mean?
Once again, I'm alone,
And it's just me.
[Chorus]
Oh, I don't wanna' drown.
No.
Yeah, it's sink or swim
I'm drowning within you
Somebody Rescue me.
'Cause I'm goin' against the stream
I fell in love with somebody like you.
And I know that, yeah, you wanted me to.
You told me who I was.
But I don't want to.
I fell in love with somebody like you.
And I know that, yeah, you wanted me to.
You told me who I was.
But I don't want to.
No I don't want to.
I don't want to.
I don't wanna' drown.
No. I don't wanna' drown.
Oh, I don't wanna' drown
No. no. no.
No, I don't wanna' drown.
No. no. no. no. no.
I don't wanna drown.
The song "Drown" by Chasen is a musical reflection of the feeling of being completely consumed and overwhelmed by love. The opening lines set the scene of the singer walking on the beach at 4 am, listening to the sound of waves crashing upon the sand, and the only company the moonlight. It is a deeply personal moment of solitude where everything is peaceful, and the world around the singer is tranquil. However, the chorus reveals the highly emotional turmoil within the singer's mind. They express how they've fallen in love with somebody like their partner, and though they know their partner wants them to become their version of the singer, the singer is struggling against it. The line "I fell in love with somebody like you" seems to be a slightly hesitant declaration, as if the singer is questioning their choice of partner. The chorus then repeats the phrase "I don't want to" three times, possibly emphasizing the doubt in the singer's mind about the prospect of drowning in this relationship.
The second verse continues with a similar theme of introspection, and the singer ruminates over the meaning behind their feelings. They express their solitude since it's "just me" once again, which probably means that they feel they are alone in their journey of figuring out what this love means to them. Overall, the song seems to delve into the theme of love and the emotional uncertainty that comes with it. The opening verse sets the tone, representing a sense of calmness, and the chorus then disrupts that calmness and reveals the storm inside the singer's heart. The singer is fighting a battle between wanting to succumb to love and protecting themselves from getting hurt. The song provides a powerful message about the struggle that comes with love and the hesitancy that sometimes goes along with committing oneself to another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking the beach 4. A.M.
Strolling on the beach at 4AM, when the world is quiet and peaceful.
Listening to the waves as They crash upon the sand.
Hearing the sound of the waves breaking on the shoreline.
It's just a Black Sea.
The sea appears black, devoid of any color at night.
The moonlight and me.
He is alone, accompanied only by the moonlight.
[Chorus] It's sink or swim. I'm drowning within you. Somebody rescue me. 'Cause I'm goin' against the stream. I fell in love with somebody like you. And I know yeah that you wanted me to. You told me who I was. But I don't want to. No, I don't want to. I don't wan to. I don't wanna' drown.
He feels trapped and overwhelmed in his relationship with somebody. He knows he needs help to get out of it. He is going against the tide, which indicates going against what is accepted. He is in love, but he is not happy with it. He feels like his partner wants him to be someone he's not, but he can't comply. He doesn't want to be stuck in this situation, as it feels like he's slowly drowning.
Thinking about these words. How do they fit and How do they come together? What do they mean? Once again, I'm alone, And it's just me.
He is thinking about the words that describe his current situation and trying to find the meaning and the connection between them. He is alone and can only rely on himself to figure it out.
[Chorus] Oh, I don't wanna' drown.
He repeats the chorus to emphasize his unwillingness to stay and drown in the relationship.
Yeah, it's sink or swim I'm drowning within you Somebody Rescue me. 'Cause I'm goin' against the stream I fell in love with somebody like you. And I know that, yeah, you wanted me to. You told me who I was. But I don't want to.
He reiterates that he feels like the relationship is suffocating and needs saving. He is struggling and going against what is expected. He acknowledges that he is in love with this person, but he doesn't want to be forced to be someone he's not.
No I don't want to. I don't want to. I don't wanna' drown. No. I don't wanna' drown. Oh, I don't wanna' drown No. no. no. No, I don't wanna' drown. No. no. no. no. no. I don't wanna drown.
He further emphasizes that he doesn't want to drown in the relationship and repeats it multiple times, hoping to get his message across that he needs help to break free from it.
Contributed by Riley A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Amanda Cope
This is my youth pastor now, Chasen wrote this when he was 15 years old. He sung it for us at youth camp.
Debra Nowicki
First time I've ever heard this song on pandora today.... AWESOME
angelicurrr
i saw them yesterday at Awakening Festival. they are soooo amazing live.
longlayover123
Love them thanks for posting!!!
morgan0mally
i love this song :)
oopcident
that is so cool! did they sing any of their new stuff?
Tate Phillips
My favorite Christian band
Jared
Everyone, get a hold of yourselves. I love this song, and I see it through a Christian perspective. Nevertheless, everyone has the right to interpret songs differently. It doesn't really matter. And to the Christians, it is great that you're trying to witness by explaining your views of the song, but Youtube isn't the place where its gonna work. Please just don't litter the comments section with an argument.
brettfavre8
This song is 4 my friend Crystal, it reminds me of when when either of us drown that we have eachothers backs to pull eachother up, I hope she realizes how special she is 2 me. Love u Crystal
MumblerTalk
i'll be seeing them this week! they hav concert !