Although the band started out playing at Christian music festivals, they shun the label of "Christian rock," with singer and guitarist Jon Foreman saying, "For us, it's a faith, not a genre. We've always been very open and honest about where the songs are coming from. For us, these songs are for everyone. Calling us `Christian rock' tends to be a box that closes some people out and excludes them. And that's not what we're trying to do. Music has always opened my mind -- and that's what we want." They started out on Charlie Peacock's label "re:think" and spent several years appearing at Christian festivals and enjoying Christian radio hits. Most of their early tours were with Christian bands and both of the band's new members were borrowed from Christian bands.
Switchfoot did not see success outside of the Christian rock scene until they were featured alongside singer Mandy Moore on the A Walk To Remember soundtrack. The band's first true commercial success came in 2003 with the release of their fourth major label (and first mainstream label) offering, The Beautiful Letdown. The album went on to sell more than 2 million albums and Switchfoot became the most popular rock band to be associated with Christian music.
They were featured on the British Edition of the Spiderman II soundtrack along with the likes of Taking Back Sunday and Dashboard Confessional to name a few, in 2004 with the song 'Meant To Live'.
In 2005 Switchfoot released "Nothing Is Sound". The album went gold within 3 months and received much critical acclaim.
Switchfoot's highly anticipated album, titled "Oh! Gravity." was released on December 26th, 2006.
On November 10th, 2009, Switchfoot released their first album produced under their own label, lowercase people. "Mess of Me", a single from the album released months before the CD, has enjoy chart-topping radio plays since its release.
In 2010 Switchfoot released their album, "Hello Hurricane".
On September 27th, 2011, to much anticipation and excitement, Switchfoot released their newest album, "Vice Verses".
Sites:
www.switchfoot.com
Switchfoot Message Boards
24
Switchfoot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twenty-four failures in twenty-four tries.
Twenty-four finds me in twenty-fourth place.
With twenty-four dropouts at the end of the day.
Life is not what I thought it was twenty-four hours ago.
Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You.
And I'm not who I thought I was twenty-four hours ago
There's Twenty-four reasons to admit that I'm wrong
with all my excuses still twenty-four strong.
But see I'm not copping out
I'm not copping out
I'm not copping out
When You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh, I am the second man
Oh, oh, I am the second man now
Oh, I am the second man now
And You're raising these twenty-four voices
With twenty-four hearts
With all of my symphonies in twenty-four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true
I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You.
You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh, I am the second man
Oh, oh, I am the second man now
Oh, I am the second man now
And You're raising the dead in me, yeah, yeah
I want to see miracles
To see the world change
I wrestled the angel
For more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And You're raising the dead in me
And you're raising these twenty-four voices
With twenty-four hearts
And all of my symphonies in twenty-four parts
Life is not what I thought it was twenty-four hours ago.
Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms
I'm not copping out
I'm not copping out
I'm not copping out
The song "24" by Switchfoot begins by referencing the various oceans, skies, failures, and attempts that make up the singer's life experiences. They feel as if they are stuck in the middle of the pack, in twenty-fourth place, surrounded by those who have given up hope. The singer reflects on how their perception of life has changed in the past twenty-four hours, but the lyrics suggest that regardless of their current situation, they will continue to sing with an open spirit, willing to be taken up in arms by the divine.
The song then introduces the idea that there are twenty-four reasons for the singer to admit they are wrong, yet they have twenty-four excuses to justify their actions. However, the singer vows not to cop out, especially since they feel incapable of doing so, given that "You" (likely referring to the divine) are already raising the "dead" inside of them. The song then shifts to the perspective of the "second man," who is being elevated by the divine and who, in turn, is using their voice to help raise others up. The singer wants to be "centered and true" and to see the world change, so they continue to sing, knowing that their symphonies are made up of twenty-four parts, but striving for unity regardless.
Overall, the song seems to be about persevering through difficult times by staying open to the divine and using one's voice to lift up others. The repeated refrain of "Spirit take me up in arms with You" suggests a surrender to something larger than oneself, and the recognition that even when life is difficult, there is a higher purpose that transcends individual challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Twenty-four oceans, twenty-four skies,
The world is vast and endless, with an infinite number of possibilities.
Twenty-four failures in twenty-four tries.
Failure is a part of life and necessary for growth.
Twenty-four finds me in twenty-fourth place.
Feeling like you're not at the top can be disheartening.
With twenty-four dropouts at the end of the day.
But even those who give up can still serve a purpose.
Life is not what I thought it was twenty-four hours ago.
Life is ever-changing, and our perspectives constantly shift.
Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You.
Despite the chaos, I still seek guidance and support from a higher power.
And I'm not who I thought I was twenty-four hours ago
I am constantly evolving, and my identity is not static.
There's Twenty-four reasons to admit that I'm wrong
There are always excuses for our mistakes, but ultimately, we must take responsibility for our actions.
with all my excuses still twenty-four strong.
Excuses will never be stronger than accountability.
But see I'm not copping out
I refuse to give up or take the easy way out.
When You're raising the dead in me
My spirit is coming back to life with your help.
Oh, oh, I am the second man
I'm not the only one on this journey.
And You're raising these twenty-four voices
We are all in this together, and each of us has a unique voice.
With twenty-four hearts
Our emotions and passions fuel our collective effort.
With all of my symphonies in twenty-four parts
Each of us contributes to the beautiful, complex melody of life.
But I want to be one today
Amidst the chaos, I seek clarity and simplicity.
Centered and true
I want to stay grounded in my values and beliefs.
I want to see miracles
I seek the extraordinary.
To see the world change
I believe in a better future.
I wrestled the angel
I have faced my inner demons.
For more than a name
This journey is not just about personal gain or recognition.
For more than a feeling
It's not just about temporary emotions or experiences.
For more than a cause
It's not just about a specific mission or goal.
And You're raising the dead in me, yeah, yeah
Your help is transforming me.
And you're raising these twenty-four voices
Together, our voices become stronger.
And all of my symphonies in twenty-four parts
All of my contributions to the world are connected.
Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms
I still call for guidance and support.
I'm not copping out
I choose to stay committed and dedicated.
I'm not copping out
I refuse to give up.
I'm not copping out
I won't take the easy way out.
Contributed by Madelyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brunika51
Twenty-four oceans
Twenty-four skies
Twenty-four failures
And twenty-four tries
Twenty-four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
With twenty-four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I'm singing 'Spirit,
take me up in arms with You'
And I'm not who I thought I was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I'm singing 'Spirit,
take me up in arms with You'
There's twenty-four reasons
To admit that I'm wrong
With all my excuses
Still twenty-four strong
See, I'm not copping out
Not copping out
Not copping out
When you're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh
I am the second man
Oh, oh
I am the second man now
Oh, I am the second man now
And you're raising these...
Twenty-four voices
With twenty-four hearts
All of my symphonies
In twenty-four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true
I'm singing 'Spirit take me up
In arms with You'
You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh
I am the second man
Oh, oh
I am the second man now
Oh
I am the second man now
And you're raising the dead in me
Yeah
I wanna see miracles
To see the world change
Wrestled the angel for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up
In arms with You'
And you're raising the dead in me
Twenty-four oceans
With twenty-four hearts
All of my symphonies
With twenty-four parts
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I'm singing 'Spirit,
take me up in arms with You'
I'm not copping out
Not copping out
@Zachygee412
Tyler Joseph covering this will be pure magic
@JR-vn5ut
When i was a kid i told myself i will be listening to this song on my 24th birthday. Today i am 24.
@devinisonline120
And my girlfriend is 24 today
@thepatriarchy819
@Devin isonline cool story bro
@ichigoteguzz
I'm 28 today and I keep coming back.
@k-leb438
That’s cool
@ab-gail
Mission accomplished
@shyawaybec
Can’t wait to see how Tyler reinvents this masterpiece
@mojobandito1979
his vocals singing these lyrics might make me cry uncontrollably for 24 minutes
@genyag359
Out of curiosity how did you guys knew Tyler was going to do a cover of this song? I found out yesterday because of Tyler story on instagram.