The traditional rhythm, blues, and jazz foundation that first defined the b… Read Full Bio ↴The traditional rhythm, blues, and jazz foundation that first defined the backbone of rock and roll in the 1960s is no longer. The requisite horn section, signature to Big Bands of decades past, now exists only as the backdrop for a harder, Latin-tinged funk/rock combination. Selectric Records latest signing, super-charged youth group phenomenon Cross Culture, is one of several up-and-coming bands to embrace this evolving sound, as showcased on its debut label project, Proof Positive.
Self-described as eclectic and energetic, deep and intricate, its difficult to pinpoint the source of Cross Cultures musical influences. Our versatile sound goes hand in hand with the bands name, comments guitarist and bassist Justin David. We cross traditional cultural boundaries by mixing hard, melodic rock with jazz, gospel and funk.
The history of Cross Culture dates back to 1998. Justin and drummer Chris Wright both attended highschool together in Columbus, Ohio, where they co-founded the band Color. With seven members in its original line-up, Color was heavily influenced by the ska movement. By 2002, the group had established a signature riff-laden funk/rock style and downsized to its three current members, Justin, Chris and guitarist Dan Harrass. The band additionally updated its name to Cross Culture.
Cross Culture has a similar meaning to our former name Color, David says. Our band consists of an African American, a Hispanic American, and me [Caucasian]. With all the changes in our physical line-up as well as in our music, we felt a name change was also appropriate.
Musically, Cross Culture admits that its probably not reinventing the wheel. We dont claim to be exclusive in our sound, says David. We simply bring all that we are and all that we like musically to the table in hopes that music lovers of all backgrounds will walk away with something relevant. Humble though it sounds, the concept works well for Cross Culture. The band freely draws from many well-loved musical sources to create music that offers something for everyone, especially on its national debut release, Proof Positive. Produced by Grammy-winning duo John and Dino Elefante, Proof Positive kicks off in signature Cross Culture fashion with the jammin, seize-the-moment anthem This Moment in Time. The album maintains unwavering momentum from one danceable track to the next. Among Cross Cultures most musically diverse cuts is Wave, an effective amalgamation of surf rock, Latin horns and rap. The hybrid style of Wave successfully relates its universal message about perseverance amidst lifes ups and downs Cross Culture makes its beliefs honest and transparent in its music. One of These Days is a prime example. Justin explains, I went through a bit of a depressed stage, and my character suffered because of it. I felt like I was set up to be a failure. This song talks about our aspirations to grow and to become better individuals than anyone said we could be. We want to convey the message that theres something bigger and more meaningful than the status quo. Aware that being a band on stage is something bigger, the members of Cross Culture draw on personal experiences to set their purpose as a group. We strive to be an example to others individually and as a band. We are driven by our personal faith experiences, and that comes out in everything we have to offer in our music.

I Need It
Cross Culture Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been gone awhile
But I still see her smile
Yeah, I've been thinking

I need it, I want it
I need the truth so I can breathe
I need it, I'm on it
I'm gonna do what's right for me

There's no more time to argue
I've wasted so much time today
You say I'm living in a dream world
And I say that's the only way
Take a good look around at the world that you're comfortable with
Kiss it all goodbye
Because as time ticks on there's no getting away from the dawning of a brand new day
Yeah!

You can't get away, break it down say
It's a matter of time before we erase
It's a matter of time before we erase all of these things that we embrace

All of these things that we embrace
(It's only a matter of time)

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Cross Culture's song "I Need It" express a sense of exhaustion and saturation with the world of music. "Just when I thought that there was not a thing that's been left untouched in this world of music that we live in," the singer laments, suggesting that they have heard all there is to hear and are no longer excited by it. However, as the song progresses, the singer finds themselves drawn in by a melody and rhythm that moves them to dance. The singer notes that this is a "war with no sides," indicating the reality that exists outside of the music world. However, despite this, the singer recognizes the importance of keeping an open mind and remaining receptive to new experiences.

The second verse of the song, "I see her smile, I've been gone awhile, but I still see her smile, Yeah, I've been thinking," seems to indicate a personal connection or relationship that the singer has been away from for some time. This personal touch adds another layer of depth to the song's themes of searching for truth and authenticity. The chorus, "I need it, I want it, I need the truth so I can breathe, I need it, I'm on it, I'm gonna do what's right for me," expresses a desire for self-discovery and for finding an inner truth that will help the singer to find their way forward.

Overall, "I Need It" is a song that speaks to the human desire for meaning and authenticity, even in a world that can sometimes feel oversaturated and unexciting. The singer encourages listeners to keep an open mind and be receptive to new experiences, even as they search for their own truth.

Line by Line Meaning

Just when I thought that there was not a thing that's been left Untouched in this world of music that we live in I still stretch myself out thin and find a way to be drawn in to a melody and rhythm That can move my feet to dance It's a war with no sides, so try to keep an open mind To the things we hear and see in this reality
Despite hearing a lot of music that seems familiar, I still manage to find new tunes to dance to. In this ever-changing world of music, it's important to keep an open mind and embrace all the different genres and sounds that come our way.

I see her smile I've been gone awhile But I still see her smile Yeah, I've been thinking
I've been away for a while, but I can still remember the joyful smile of someone important in my life. It's got me thinking about what's truly important.

I need it, I want it I need the truth so I can breathe I need it, I'm on it I'm gonna do what's right for me
I crave the truth because it sets me free. I'm determined to stay on this path and do what's best for myself, regardless of what others may say.

There's no more time to argue I've wasted so much time today You say I'm living in a dream world And I say that's the only way Take a good look around at the world that you're comfortable with Kiss it all goodbye Because as time ticks on there's no getting away from the dawning of a brand new day Yeah!
I'm tired of wasting time arguing with people who don't understand my perspective. To me, it's not a dream world, it's my reality. I urge others to reevaluate their own comfortable worlds because change is inevitable and a new day is upon us all.

You can't get away, break it down say It's a matter of time before we erase It's a matter of time before we erase all of these things that we embrace All of these things that we embrace (It's only a matter of time)
We can't ignore the truth forever. It's only a matter of time before we have to confront the things we've been ignoring and embrace new ways of thinking. Change is inevitable and these things that we've been holding onto will eventually fade away.

Contributed by Abigail D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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