Lyrically, the song details the pitfalls and dangers of belief and conviction – Mayer notes that, though it provides “armour,” belief also “makes for the heaviest sword.” It focuses specifically on the fallout from war, which is in many cases motivated by beliefs (see The Crusades and, more recently, the Korean and the Vietnam Wars).
The song notably features singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ben Harper on guitar.
Belief
John Mayer Lyrics
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Changing their mind from the paint on a sign?
Is there anyone who really recalls
Ever breaking record off
For something someone yelled real loud one time?
Oh, everyone believes
In how they think it ought to be
Oh, everyone believes
And they're not going easily
Belief is a beautiful armor
But makes for the heaviest sword
Like punching underwater
You never can hit who you're trying for
Some need the exhibition
And some have to know they tried
It's the chemical weapon
For the war that's raging on inside
Oh, everyone believes
From emptiness to everything
Oh, everyone believes
And no one's going quietly
We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
If belief is what we're fighting for
We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
If belief is what we're fighting for
Is there anyone you can remember
Ever surrender with their life on the line?
We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
If belief is what we're fighting for
We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
If belief is what we're fighting for
What puts a hundred thousand children in the sand?
Belief can, belief can
What puts a folded flag inside his mother's hand?
Belief can, belief can.
The song Belief by John Mayer tackles the subject of how powerful belief can be in shaping our perception of the world and how we relate to others. The lyrics seem to suggest that belief can be a double-edged sword that gives us a sense of purpose and armor to protect us from the harsh realities of life, but also creates a barrier that prevents us from connecting with others and seeing beyond our own perspective.
The opening lines pose some thought-provoking questions about the power of signs and symbols to influence our beliefs and behaviors. The reference to breaking records for something someone yelled real loud one time speaks to the tendency of people to follow the crowd and adopt beliefs without much critical reflection. The repetition of the phrase "everyone believes" highlights how universal and all-encompassing belief can be, yet also how it can breed divisiveness and conflict when people cling to their beliefs too tightly.
The second verse continues the theme of belief as a weapon, likening it to punching underwater, something that is futile and ineffective. The reference to chemical weapons is particularly poignant given the context of the time when the song was released in 2006, a few years after the US invasion of Iraq and the controversy surrounding the use of chemical weapons. The line "from emptiness to everything" captures the transformative power of belief to shape our reality, yet also suggests how easily belief can be manipulated and exploited.
The chorus reflects a sense of hopelessness in the face of the seemingly intractable problems of the world, and how belief can become a self-fulfilling prophecy that perpetuates the cycle of conflict and division. The final verse asks a rhetorical question about whether anyone has ever surrendered their life on the line, implying that belief can be so powerful that people are willing to die for it.
Overall, the song Belief demonstrates John Mayer's gift for insightful and introspective lyrics that provoke thought and reflection on the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
Is there anyone who ever remembers
Changing their mind from the paint on a sign?
Has anyone ever changed their opinion based solely on a sign?
Is there anyone who really recalls
Ever breaking record off
For something someone yelled real loud one time?
Can anyone remember a time they set a record just because someone yelled at them?
Oh, everyone believes
In how they think it ought to be
Oh, everyone believes
And they're not going easily
Everyone has strong beliefs that are hard to change
Belief is a beautiful armor
But makes for the heaviest sword
Like punching underwater
You never can hit who you're trying for
Belief is strong and protective, but it can also be unwieldy and ineffective
Some need the exhibition
And some have to know they tried
It's the chemical weapon
For the war that's raging on inside
Belief can be used to motivate oneself in a personal struggle
Oh, everyone believes
From emptiness to everything
Oh, everyone believes
And no one's going quietly
Belief is universal and powerful, and people hold onto it fiercely
We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
If belief is what we're fighting for
Fighting solely for one's beliefs can never result in a true victory
Is there anyone you can remember
Ever surrender with their life on the line?
Has anyone ever given up their life for their beliefs?
What puts a hundred thousand children in the sand?
Belief can, belief can
What puts a folded flag inside his mother's hand?
Belief can, belief can.
Beliefs can lead to violence and death
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: John Clayton Mayer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind