“We may live in snapshot moments,” Josh says, “but those moments are not Life. Life is not one point in time but all of the points in time between drawing our first and last breaths. Because we have experienced the faithfulness of God in the past we can be secure in the present and trust in the One who holds the future.”
There is a school of thought that dictates what a typical rock star bio should look like. Open with a snappy quote to catch the reader’s attention. Include a laundry list of accolades, weighty references to his current standing on the album sales and radio charts as well as testimonials from well-respected industry insiders regarding his future greatness. Convince the reader that the artist in question is successful, talented and - in the case of Christian rock stars -considerably more spiritually creative than the average Joe who occupies the pew next to you on any given Sunday.
Josh Wilson simply smiles and shakes his head at the absurdity of it all. You see, Josh Wilson is not a rock star - never has been; doesn’t intend to be. So if you are looking for one, you’ll just have to look someplace else.
That’s not to say Josh isn’t an incredibly talented singer/songwriter with numerous accolades and a brilliant future ahead of him. His debut album, Trying to Fit the Ocean in a Cup, resonated with a growing legion of fans across the nation, spawning the Top 10 radio hit, “Savior Please,” while launching him on tours with such celebrated artists as Big Daddy Weave and Matthew West. And though he would deny charges of being a guitar prodigy, Josh’s mesmerizing abilities have elicited awed comparisons, with terms like ‘Keaggy-esque’ being bandied about.
“Please don’t hang that on me,” Josh smiles. “Playing guitar is a passion for me, and I do enjoy playing. But you never arrive. You never become the best, and that’s not what I’m trying to do anyway. I want to take some lessons and brush up on my playing because honestly, I’m a little rusty.”
A little rusty for someone who studied under the tutelage of classical guitar legend, David Brandon, is like firing on all cylinders for the rest of the guitar-playing world. As phenomenal as his musicianship is, it is the lyrical integrity of his songs that remains Josh Wilson’s magnificent obsession, though he admits to wrestling with words like Jacob with the angel and sometimes walks away from his own songwriting sessions with a limp.
“I have a passion for songwriting, but I don’t think I would say that while I am in the middle of writing a song,” Josh muses. “Songwriting is hard work, and I’ll procrastinate and avoid it at all costs. It is absolutely the ground fighting back against man’s efforts to till the soil. Melodies come to me a lot easier than words, but lyrics are where the weight of the song is. The melody may stick in someone’s head, but eventually they are going to start thinking about the words. That’s why I feel so much pressure. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you write a good song with a great hook if the words are meaningless. It is a daunting task and a big responsibility. I do not to take it lightly.”
That undeniable tension between the words and music emerges as a focal point of Josh’s sophomore CD, Life Is Not A Snapshot. This seven-song collection of contemporary theological musings reflects Josh’s remarkable penchant for framing cold and calculated questions of faith into wild, unbridled musical expressions of trust.
“I am a pastor’s kid and grew up in the church,” Josh explains. “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in Jesus, but my faith was never really challenged until I went to college. During my freshman year, I encountered people who were nice and smart, but who didn’t believe what I believed, and they started to challenge my faith. I didn’t have the foundation I needed to come up against those questions. A lot of things that I thought I knew started to fall apart. The Lord picked me up and said, ‘There are good answers to these questions, but you’re going to have to do some searching and praying and ask some smart questions yourself to figure out why you believe what you believe.’”
Hard work and seeking answers became a passion for the young singer/songwriter, and his songs have become richer as a result. In the two years since his critically acclaimed debut release, Josh has discovered a marked clarity regarding his vision and mission for his music, and it is aimed squarely at followers of Christ.
“I feel like I am called to challenge and encourage the Church,” he declares. “I want to make people think, particularly about why they believe what they believe. As soon as your faith is challenged, that is when you’ll realize that Sunday school answers are not enough. Hopefully I can encourage people to dig deeper into their faith.”
Forest Fire
Josh Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let him fool you
His laugh is a lie
He's dying inside
From the sticks and stones somebody threw
Our tongues are like matches
Our ears are like trees
On dry summer leaves
It doesn't take much
For the flames to rise
And turn a soul
Into a forest fire
She's not half as strong, no
As she'd like to let on
She smiles, but she knows
She can't take one more blow
From the hate that she's heard for so long
Our tongues are like matches
Our ears are like trees
Our words are like sparks
On dry summer leaves
It doesn't take much
For the flames to rise
And turn a soul
Into a forest fire
Be careful
Be careful what you say
Our tongues are like matches
Our ears are like trees
Our words are like sparks
On dry summer leaves
It doesn't take much
For the flames to rise
And turn a soul
Into a forest fire
The lyrics of Josh Wilson's song "Forest Fire" caution against the deeply damaging effects of words. It highlights the vulnerability of people and how their seeming exterior strength does not match their interior. It speaks of how people can wear a façade, but in reality, they are hurting and dying inside. It is essential to be mindful of the words we say to one another, and the impact these words can have.
The lyric "Our tongues are like matches, our ears are like trees, our words are like sparks on dry summer leaves," is an analogy that effectively captures the power of communication. Our words can start small fires that quickly spread and become massive forest fires that can destroy everything in its path. It doesn't take much for a soul to be caught in the middle of such fires, leading to long-lasting and life-changing consequences.
In conclusion, Josh Wilson's "Forest Fire" is a poignant reminder of the power of words and how they can affect the lives of individuals. It underscores the need to be mindful of the language we use and to choose our words wisely. It is a call for empathy and a better understanding of the vulnerability of people, their emotions and the struggles they may be going through.
Line by Line Meaning
He's not bulletproof
Although he may appear invincible, he is not immune to pain and harm
Don't let him fool you
Don't be deceived by his facade of strength and happiness
His laugh is a lie
The laughter he puts on is not a genuine reflection of his inner emotions
He's dying inside
Despite his outward appearance, he is hurting and in emotional distress
From the sticks and stones somebody threw
The hurtful words and actions of others have contributed to his inner turmoil and pain
Our tongues are like matches
Our words have the power to ignite and start fires, causing harm and destruction
Our ears are like trees
Just as trees absorb and grow from nutrients in the soil, we internalize and respond to the words we hear
Our words are like sparks
Our words can spark intense emotions and reactions, similar to sparks that can begin a fire
On dry summer leaves
When emotions are already heightened and tense, our words can easily cause a reaction
It doesn't take much
Small words or actions can have a large impact on an individual's emotional state
For the flames to rise
Emotions can quickly escalate and intensify like a rising flame
And turn a soul
Our words and actions can have a transformative effect on an individual's emotional and mental state
Into a forest fire
The destructive force created by hurtful words and actions can spread and have a ripple effect on others
She's not half as strong, no
Although she may come off as strong, confident, and independent, she is not as resilient as she appears
As she'd like to let on
She may be hiding behind a mask of strength and confidence to avoid vulnerability
She smiles, but she knows
Her smile may be a facade, and internally she may be suffering
She can't take one more blow
Her emotional state is fragile, and another negative experience could be devastating
From the hate that she's heard for so long
Negative, hateful, or hurtful comments from others have taken a toll on her emotional state
Be careful
We should be cautious and thoughtful in our words and actions
Be careful what you say
The words we choose to use can have a lasting impact on others
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind