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.”
Stay the Same
Seven Places Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You placed them in the sky yet
I'm all that's on your mind.
Looking at the sand between my toes,
It's crazy that each one of those is a thought of peace.
Are you talking to me, because if
You are let me catch my breath.
Because you will never change
Even if I stay the same.
You will be the one I love,
How could I refuse hands nailed open to prove?
Everywhere you are is where I'll be,
I live to love my king that's where I am free.
Are you talking to me,
Because if You are let me catch my breath.
You will be the one I love,
Because You will never change
Even if I stay the same.
You will be the one I love,
How could I refuse hands nailed open to prove?
I'm not the same, I'm not the same.
"Stay the Same" by Seven Places is a beautiful love song about the faithfulness of the person you love, no matter what changes may happen. The opening lines describe the feeling of being lost in thought, looking at the stars and sand, but ultimately being all that's on the person's mind. They are so encompassed by this love that even the natural world around them reminds them of their beloved. The singer's breath is taken away by the magnitude of this love and the overwhelming feeling that they might be speaking directly to them.
The chorus beautifully captures the main message of the song, that the person they love is constant and unwavering. No matter what happens, they will always be the one that the singer loves. Even if the singer themselves do not stay the same, the love they have for this person will not change. The mention of "hands nailed open to prove" alludes to the crucifixion of Jesus and the selfless love that he demonstrated. The verse then repeats, emphasizing the feelings of awe and wonder at this love that is unchanging.
Overall, "Stay the Same" is a touching reminder of the power of love and the comfort we can take in the constancy of the people we hold dear.
Line by Line Meaning
Staring at the stars late last night,
Last night, I gazed at the stars and wondered, but you were on my mind.
You placed them in the sky yet
You put the stars up there for me, yet...
I'm all that's on your mind.
...I'm the only thing that you're thinking about in this moment.
Looking at the sand between my toes,
As I look down at my feet, I realize...
It's crazy that each one of those is a thought of peace.
...that each grain of sand represents a peaceful thought.
Are you talking to me, because if You are let me catch my breath.
Hold on a sec, are you talking to me? I need to catch my breath from being overwhelmed by you.
You will be the one I love,
I'm choosing you as the one I love.
Because You will never change
I know you'll always be the same.
Even if I stay the same.
Even if I never change, I can count on your consistency.
How could I refuse hands nailed open to prove?
I could never turn down someone who endured so much to prove their love.
Everywhere you are is where I'll be,
I'll always follow you no matter where you go.
I live to love my king that's where I am free.
Loving my king is what brings me true freedom and purpose in life.
I'm not the same, I'm not the same.
I've changed because of your love, and I'll never be the same again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRYAN KYETH ABRAMS, MARK ELRA CALDERON, DAVID CLAYTON THOMAS, HOWARD A. THOMPSON, KEVIN KRAIG THORNTON, SAMUEL J. WATTERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind