The Seven Places guys are from southern Oregon and have a long family history in the Calvary Chapel environment. Tyler Jones, guitarist for Seven Places comments, ”The Calvary Chapel system was initially created for hippies on the beach in southern California to hear the gospel. They were kids that were a little out of the box from the mainstream church at the time, but the worship was amazing and it spoke to them. They were getting saved right where they were, in their environment. We’ve just carried that original philosophy into our band. We want to impact kids right where they are.” Indeed they have. Seth and Tyler, together with Seth’s little brother Jeffrey on drums, and Donnie Vizzini on bass began playing for their youth group at a weekly worship event. That number went from 100 to 1,000 kids and stayed that way for two years. Shortly thereafter, Seven Places signed a record deal with BEC Recordings and hit the studio with producer Aaron Sprinkle (Kutless, Jeremy Camp) to record their debut release, Lonely For The Last Time. Clearly, Sprinkle’s indie-rock meets power pop sensibilities gelled well with Seven Places’ pre-existing sound on the disc’s eleven choice cuts, which are loaded with electric urgency, towering crescendos, and a hint of the alternative underground, designated to please listeners of various genre interests. Tyler sums up the band’s approach to writing by saying, “I strive for honesty, and I realize a lot of other songwriters do the same thing, but sometimes they don’t point to anything eternal in the end. It’s fine to share your feelings in really emotional and expressive manners, but in the end thoughts have to be brought back to the Lord.”
Specifically, songs like “Stay the Same” (an ode to self-esteem); “Thinking It Over” (about making difficult life choices) and “Yours” (revolving worshipful adoration) echo such sentiments, as does the anthemic title cut about finding identity in Christ. The punchy radio ready rocker “Like It Never Happened” is a plea for listeners to forget their sinful past, while “Western Wall” was inspired by Seth’s recent trip to Israel. “I gained a new love and appreciation for all of the history of Israel and the Jewish people,” he explains. “But I also saw the community weakened and really struggling by depressing economic times. I wrote ‘Western Wall’ in response to that situation as an encouragement to those feeling dry in their walk with the Lord.”
Beyond any hit single, a spot on any coveted tour, or the quest for longevity, Seven Places’ members would rather focus on the ministering elements of such songs. Unlike some bands with Christian members who get their start on the spiritual scene in hopes of crossing over to the mainstream, Seven Places’ specifically strives to edify the body of Christ and revive hurting listeners’ faith. “We’re about presenting a faith that is real and relevant to young people that have grown up in the church and we’re hear to remind them that this isn’t just their parents’ God,” Seth concludes. “It’s about getting a message of hope to those that have been burnt out in their walk and getting them back on track.”
Nothing Gold Can Stay
Seven Places Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the leaves at first are green
To the eye they're gold to see
A sight to behold all the day
They change to orange, maybe red
And from yellowish to dead
Because nothing gold can stay
They can't stay holding on to the tree
They won't be there long forever
Pressed into a book
I guess that is why I stop and look
They can't stay
They can't stay for long
Man of gold, none could see
That He was divinity
So now today dawn goes down
Nothing gold can stick around
On Himself, He took their grief
And much like a withered leaf
Fell from the tree onto the ground
He didn't stay holding on to the tree
It could not keep Him long forever
Pressed into a book
I know that is why I stop and look
For Him to move someday
I can't wait to hear Him say
Stay, come on and stay with me
Like a raging fire that won't be contained
His glory isn't something that can be constrained
He didn't stay holding on to the tree
It could not keep Him long forever
Pressed into a book
I know that is why I stop and look
For Him to move someday
I can't wait to hear Him say
Stay, come on and stay,
Come on and stay, come on and stay with me
The song "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Seven Places explores the idea that all good things come to an end, just like the leaves on trees in the fall. At first, the leaves are green and appear to be made of gold. They are beautiful and captivating, but eventually, they change color and wither away. The same fate is true for all things on earth that we hold dear. The song emphasizes this point by stating that "nothing gold can stay."
The second part of the song shifts the focus to Jesus Christ. The man of gold in this context refers to Jesus, who was divine but unrecognized by many during his time on earth. The song alludes to his crucifixion and the fact that he did not stay alive, but instead, fell like a withered leaf to the ground. However, the song ends on a hopeful note, implying that someday Jesus will return and invite his followers to stay with him once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay right here with me
The singer wants someone to stay with them.
All the leaves at first are green
Initially, the leaves are green.
To the eye they're gold to see
To the eye, the leaves look golden.
A sight to behold all the day
The leaves are beautiful all day long.
They change to orange, maybe red
The leaves change color to orange or red.
And from yellowish to dead
Eventually, the leaves turn yellow and die.
Because nothing gold can stay
All beautiful things are temporary and cannot remain forever.
They can't stay holding on to the tree
The leaves cannot stay attached to the tree forever.
They won't be there long forever
The leaves will not stay forever.
Pressed into a book
Leaves can be pressed in a book to preserve their beauty.
I guess that is why I stop and look
The singer stops to appreciate the leaves before they fall and die.
Man of gold, none could see
Jesus was divine, but not everyone recognized it.
That He was divinity
Jesus was divine.
So now today dawn goes down
The dawn, or beginning, of Jesus' life is over.
Nothing gold can stick around
Jesus, like all beautiful things, could not stay forever.
On Himself, He took their grief
Jesus took on the pain and sorrow of others.
And much like a withered leaf
Jesus' time on earth came to an end, like a withered leaf falling from a tree.
Fell from the tree onto the ground
Jesus died and was buried in the ground.
For Him to move someday
The singer looks forward to Jesus' return or resurrection.
I can't wait to hear Him say
The artist is eager to hear Jesus speak to them.
Like a raging fire that won't be contained
Jesus' glory cannot be contained or limited.
His glory isn't something that can be constrained
Jesus' glory cannot be limited or controlled.
Stay, come on and stay with me
The singer invites someone to stay with them.
Come on and stay, come on and stay with me
The artist repeats their invitation for someone to stay with them.
Contributed by Caden M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.