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
Afterlife
Switchfoot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't just shut it up and fake that I'm alright
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife
I'll let it burn the way the sunlight burns my skin
The way I feel inside, the way the day begins
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the other side
I'm ready now, I'm ready now
'Cause everyday the world is made
A chance to change, but I feel the same
And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive?
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife
Yeah!
I still believe we could live forever
You and I we begin forever now
Forever now
Forever
I still believe in us together
You and I we're here together now
Forever now
Forever now
Or never now
'Cause everyday the world is made
A chance to change, but I feel the same
And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive?
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife
Everyday
A choice is made
Everyday
I choose my fate
And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive?
To come alive?
Everyday
Everyday
Everyday I still feel the same
And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive?
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready
I'm not waiting till the afterlife
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Switchfoot's song Afterlife is a powerful call to live life to the fullest, without the fear of death holding us back. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and a desire to embrace every moment, regardless of the risks involved. The opening lines, "I've tasted fire I'm ready to come alive, I can't just shut it up and fake that I'm alright", are a declaration of the singer's readiness to embrace life, even if it means experiencing pain and discomfort.
Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of taking action and not waiting for some future afterlife or other-worldly experience. The line, "I'm not waiting for the other side", highlights the importance of being fully present in the here and now, rather than living in anticipation of something that may never come. The chorus emphasizes this message, with the repeated line, "And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive?".
In the bridge, the singer declares that every day presents a choice, and that they are actively choosing to live life to the fullest, not waiting for some future moment. The closing lines, "I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready, I'm not waiting till the afterlife", emphasize the urgency of embracing life in the present moment.
Overall, the message of Afterlife is one of hope and daring, encouraging listeners to live boldly and fearlessly, without waiting for an afterlife that may never come.
Line by Line Meaning
I've tasted fire I'm ready to come alive
Having experienced the intensity of life, I am now eager to truly live.
I can't just shut it up and fake that I'm alright
I cannot suppress my passions and pretend that everything is okay.
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife
I am prepared to live boldly and fully in the present, without waiting for the hereafter.
I'll let it burn the way the sunlight burns my skin
I will allow my passion to consume me in the same way that sunlight can scorch my flesh.
The way I feel inside, the way the day begins
The internal fire I feel is akin to the rising of the sun each day.
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the other side
I am not content to wait for some future event or destination to find fulfillment.
'Cause everyday the world is made
A chance to change, but I feel the same
Each day presents endless opportunities for transformation, but I remain stagnant.
And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive?
I question my own hesitation to embrace life fully now, without reservation.
I still believe we could live forever
You and I we begin forever now
Forever now
Forever
I hold onto the possibility of eternal life, and believe that it can start in the present moment.
I still believe in us together
You and I we're here together now
Forever now
Forever now
Or never now
I have faith in our ability to live in the present moment, either with each other or alone.
Everyday
A choice is made
Everyday
I choose my fate
Every day presents a decision to make, and through my choices, I determine my destiny.
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife
I refuse to defer living fully until another time or place.
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready
I'm not waiting till the afterlife
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
I am eager and prepared to make the most of my life right now.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JON FOREMAN, TIM FOREMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hermitcrabgirlsarah
I'm Atheist and I love this song to no end, you don't have to be a Christian to recognize good music.
@edueskate
Can’t believe this song is 10 years old… feels new to me! The entire song is on point. “I’m ready now, I’m not waiting for the afterlife”
@JaydenLawson
There's something eternal about it
@cpayne9790
The word of God, in Yeshua, is eternal and without age
@warriorBRYDE1990
“And I wonder, ‘Why would I wait til I die to come alive?!’ I’m ready now—I’m not waiting for the Afterlife!” Taking on fresh perspective in this pandemic, as LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO FORFEIT ~
@kennedybreeding2293
They played this at my church today
@TheHelmaroc
That sounds so epic.
@cameronmcclarty4775
Only in America
@theguardian6464
@@cameronmcclarty4775 or in Finland
@tartarbrad8687
Cedar creek