Biography
The Sidewalk Prophets are an unlikely group of poets, musicians, and fun-lovers who have been brought together by the blood of Jesus Christ to share the hope, faith, tragedy, and love that is the reality of Christianity. For over 5 years the Sidewalk Prophets have been traveling across the United States and overseas sharing the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. They are armed with a dynamic songwriting duo comprised of college dorm mates turned best friends David Frey and Ben McDonald. Frey is equipped with an unrivaled vocal range and a distinct soulful voice that is full of engaging passion. McDonald brings an undeniable drive and passion for writing songs that will engage both churched and unchurched listeners.
The band has been hitting the road hard for the past 3 years playing 125+ shows a year worldwide. They’ve been making thousands of friends and fans in the process. Along the way the band has achieved some longtime goals of playing with bands they looked up to as teenagers. The band has had the honor of sharing the stage with acts like Jeremy Camp, Audio Adrenaline, Stellar Kart, Building 429, and Ginny Owens as well as many others.
The Sidewalk Prophets main focus is to make young people feel comfortable being who God has created them to be. Young people today more than ever have the task of living in a world that places so much value on fitting in and achieving the perfect image. The band travels with the slogan “Image is nothing…love is everything.” Dave from the Sidewalk Prophets explains the bands vision like this, “We have traveled all over the United States working with young people and there is one resounding problem that we run into. The problem is that our young people are being pressured to live up to the world’s standard of success. The world is selling the idea that image is everything but we know that the only way this can be true is by helping God’s children young and old realize that an image molded after Christ is the only image worth striving for.”
The Sidewalk Prophets have had appeal not only to young people but to their parents and grandparents as well. Their musical pallet includes an eclectic group of influences from past to present which allows the band to connect with almost anyone who listens. Their sound is a melting pot which culminates into an original blend of acoustic rock music. Their shows bring the depth of a singer/songwriter and the energy of a rock & roll band. In June of 2007 the band packed up their bags and headed south to Nashville, TN in hopes of expanding their platform to do ministry.
After releasing a full-length album and EP independently, they made their major-label debut with "These Simple Truths" in August 2009.
Wrecking Ball
Sidewalk Prophets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need to rip out this old tree
Father, Father
The roots of lust and greed
Have grown so deep into this ground
I’ve tried so hard to pull them out
On my own, they take the best of me
Slamming inside my heart
Breaking me all apart
Tearing the old away
Killing the fear in me
Until I can finally breathe
Even if it hurts so bad that I can’t even stand
Take it all, let me fall into Your hands
Father, Father
You have brought me to my knees
Father, Father
You long for me to see
When I get lost along the path
You will fight to bring me back
Only You, can make the best of me
I need a wrecking ball
Slamming inside my heart
Breaking me all apart
Tearing the old away
Killing the fear in me
Until I can finally breathe
Even if it hurts so bad that I can’t even stand
Take it all, let me fall into Your hands
Hands where mercy lives where grace begins
With Your hands knock down all these walls I’m praying
I need a wrecking ball
Slamming inside my heart
Breaking me all apart
Tearing the old away
Killing the fear in me
Until I can finally breathe
Even if it hurts so bad that I can’t even stand
Take it all, break it all, Take my all
Let me fall into Your hands
Father, Father
I need to rip out this old tree
The lyrics to the Sidewalk Prophets song "Wrecking Ball" express the artist's yearning for spiritual renewal and cleansing. The singer turns to God, referred to as "Father," to help him break down and remove the harmful roots of "lust and greed" that have become deeply ingrained within him. Despite his efforts to "pull them out" on his own, he recognizes that he needs God to be the "wrecking ball" that can "tear down" the old parts of his heart and bring him to a place of genuine transformation.
The metaphor of a "wrecking ball" conjures up the image of destructive force, but it is ultimately seen as a positive force in this song. The singer recognizes that this process may "hurt so bad that I can't even stand," but he is willing to submit himself to it in order to find freedom and renewal. He acknowledges that he cannot do this alone and that God is the only one who can "make the best of me." This rejection of self-reliance and embracing of divine intervention is a central theme of many Christian songs and hymns, and "Wrecking Ball" is no exception.
Line by Line Meaning
Father, Father
The singer is addressing God
I need to rip out this old tree
The singer acknowledges that there are negative behaviors in his life that need to be removed
The roots of lust and greed
The singer identifies the negative behaviors as originating from his own desires
Have grown so deep into this ground
The negative behaviors have become deeply ingrained in the singer's life
I've tried so hard to pull them out
The singer has attempted to change on his own, but has been unsuccessful
On my own, they take the best of me
The negative behaviors have a negative impact on the singer when he tries to change on his own
I need a wrecking ball
The singer needs something powerful and external to help him change
Slamming inside my heart
The change needs to be deep and intense
Breaking me all apart
The change needs to be complete and thorough
Tearing the old away
The negative behaviors need to be completely removed
Killing the fear in me
The singer needs to overcome his fear in order to change
Until I can finally breathe
The singer wants to experience freedom from the negative behaviors
Even if it hurts so bad that I can’t even stand
The singer is willing to go through intense pain in order to change
Take it all, let me fall into Your hands
The singer is willing to give up everything and trust in God to make the change happen
You have brought me to my knees
The singer recognizes that he is in a state of surrender to God
Father, Father
The singer is addressing God again
You long for me to see
God wants the singer to see the truth of his situation and his need for change
When I get lost along the path
The singer acknowledges that he will experience setbacks in the change process
You will fight to bring me back
God will actively help the singer to overcome setbacks and stay on the path of change
Only You, can make the best of me
The singer recognizes that only God can truly transform him for the better
Hands where mercy lives where grace begins
The singer acknowledges God's mercy and grace as the source of any change that can happen
With Your hands knock down all these walls I’m praying
The singer is asking God to actively help him break down the barriers that are keeping him from changing
Take it all, break it all, Take my all
The singer is once again expressing his willingness to let go of everything and trust in God
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: HENRY RUSSELL WALTER, LUKASZ GOTTWALD, MAUREEN ANNE MCDONALD, SACHA SKARBEK, STEPHAN MOCCIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Y
This song is so beautiful and helpful. The lyrics I even use them as prayer request for me. For God to rip out all the sin in my heart.
Jordan Lee
I'm a new fan, listening to this for the first time. I'm in love with the music by Sidewalk Prophets!!
Jordan Lee
Such an amazing song!! I became a fan of yours almost a year ago, and first listened to this song about a month ago. "Take it all, and let me fall into Your hands!!"
Laura Stone
loving this music keep going sidewalk prophets!
Triplegreen Heart
I have been listening to this song million times ❤️
Nik Minichiello
So great. Praise God.
Paveena V
Good job sidewalk prophet. Love all ur songs. God bless u
William Akers
This is opening song of current tour. Saw them in Fayetteville late August and again Tuesday in Haw River. These guys are genuine and open. Enjoyed chatting with Dave Frye and band!!!
José Micael Delgado Barbosa
Where can I like more than one time? It's awesome.
Kay McAteer
Good song. I feel like I had a wrecking ball hit me a few years ago and I am still working to get it back together. I think that is why your songs Save My Life, Keep Making me and Help me Find It speak to me so clearly.