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
American Dream
Switchfoot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When success is equated with excess
The ambition for excess wrecks us
As the top of the mind becomes the bottom line
Where success is equated with excess
If your time had been nothing but money
I start to feel really bad for you honey
Maybe honey put your money
If your time had been nothing but money
I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom
This ain't my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I'm tired of fighting for just me
This ain't my American dream
Success is equated with excess
When you're fighting for the Beamer, the Lexus
As the heart and the soul breathe in the company goals
Where success is equated with excess
I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom
This ain't my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I'm tired of fighting for just me
This ain't my American dream
'Cause baby's always talking about her ring
And talk has always been the cheapest thing
Is it true, would you do what I want you to
If I show with the right amount of bling
Like a puppet on a monetary string
Maybe we've been caught singing
Red, white, blue, and green
But that ain't my America
That ain't my American dream
This ain't my American dream
That ain't my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I want to live and die for bigger things
I'm tired of fighting for just me
This ain't my American dream
The song "American Dream" by Switchfoot serves as a commentary on the destructive nature of materialism in American culture. The lyrics suggest that equating success with excess and tying personal fulfillment to the accumulation of wealth has left many Americans feeling empty and unfulfilled. The opening lines set the tone by stating that "success is equated with excess" and noting that this mentality is "wrecking us." The reference to "the top of the mind" becoming "the bottom line" is a commentary on the prioritization of financial gain over personal development and fulfillment.
The chorus highlights the singer's desire to break free from the "machine" of American culture and pursue a more meaningful existence. The line, "I want to live and die for bigger things," suggests that the pursuit of material wealth is ultimately unfulfilling, and that true fulfillment can only come from striving toward a higher purpose. The use of the phrase "my American dream" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the traditional idea of the American Dream – one that centers around material prosperity – is not the singer's idea of what America should be.
The final verse of the song focuses on materialism in relationships, particularly with regards to engagement rings. The lyric, "Is it true, would you do what I want you to / If I show with the right amount of bling," suggests that many Americans view relationships as transactions, tied to the exchange of material goods. This is particularly emphasized by the line, "like a puppet on a monetary string." The song ends with a final affirmation that the singer's dream for America is not one centered around materialism, but rather around pursuing a greater purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright
Introduction to the song
When success is equated with excess
When society thinks that having more success means having more money and more material things
The ambition for excess wrecks us
Our desire for more and more material possessions is destroying us
As the top of the mind becomes the bottom line
When we prioritize making money and having material possessions over our own wellbeing
Where success is equated with excess
The repetition of the idea that having more success means accumulating more material things
If your time had been nothing but money
If all you cared about was making money and accumulating wealth
I start to feel really bad for you honey
The singer pities those who only care about material possessions and don't see the bigger picture in life
Maybe honey put your money
Perhaps it's time to invest your money in something more meaningful
Where your mouth's been running
Pursue something that you've been talking about and believe in
I want out of this machine
The singer wants to break free from the societal notion that success is equated with material wealth
It doesn't feel like freedom
Having to continuously fight for material possessions doesn't feel like true freedom
This ain't my American dream
This idea of accumulating wealth and material possessions is not what the singer considers to be the American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
The singer wants to live and die for something more meaningful than just accumulating wealth
I'm tired of fighting for just me
The repetitive cycle of wanting more for oneself is tiring to the singer
When you're fighting for the Beamer, the Lexus
When people are solely fighting to own high-end cars for their social status
As the heart and the soul breathe in the company goals
When companies are solely focused on making money and maximizing profits
Baby's always talking about her ring
Material possessions, such as expensive rings, are often a topic of discussion
And talk has always been the cheapest thing
Talking about expensive possessions is easy, but actually obtaining them can be a struggle
Is it true, would you do what I want you to
If I have enough money to buy you material possessions, will you do what I want?
If I show with the right amount of bling
If I have enough flashy jewelry, will you do what I want?
Like a puppet on a monetary string
Being controlled by the lure of material possessions
Maybe we've been caught singing
Perhaps we've all been stuck in this same cycle of materialism
Red, white, blue, and green
Playing off the colors of the American flag and money, both of which play a role in the pursuit of success and the American dream
But that ain't my America
The singer doesn't agree with these societal norms and what's expected of people in the pursuit of the American dream
This ain't my American dream
The repetition of the idea that this common notion of success is not what the singer considers to be the American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
Repetition of the desire to pursue something more meaningful than material possessions
I'm tired of fighting for just me
Repetition of the idea that pursuing material possessions solely for oneself is tiring
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JON FOREMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ned
"American Dream"
When success is equated with excess
The ambition for excess wrecks us
As top of the mind becomes the bottom line
When success is equated with excess
If your time ain't been nothing for money
I start to feel really bad for you, honey
Maybe honey, put your money where your mouth's been running
If your time ain't been nothing but money
I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom
This ain't my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I'm tired of fighting for just me
This ain't my American dream
When success is equated with excess
When we're fighting for the Beamer, the Lexus
As the heart and soul breath in the company goals
Where success is equated with excess
'Cause baby's always talkin' 'bout a ring
And talk has always been the cheapest thing
Is it true would you do what I want you to
If I show up with the right amount of bling?
Like a puppet on a monetary string
Maybe we've been caught singing
Red, white, blue, and green
But that ain't my America,
That ain't my American dream
oh shid it's griff
I used to listen to this when i was pretty young, but it hits way way harder now
Brine09
BRO SAMEEE
Citizen Shipp
All of the Oh! Gravity songs are standing the test of time. It's far better song-crafting than even Switchfoot gives themselves credit for. I will never be tired of "American Dream."
Susan Zaugg
One of my favorite songs from my favorite band!
ZOE
Esta es una de las canciones más hermosas que he escuchado en mi vida. Video incluido!
Ned
"American Dream"
When success is equated with excess
The ambition for excess wrecks us
As top of the mind becomes the bottom line
When success is equated with excess
If your time ain't been nothing for money
I start to feel really bad for you, honey
Maybe honey, put your money where your mouth's been running
If your time ain't been nothing but money
I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom
This ain't my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I'm tired of fighting for just me
This ain't my American dream
When success is equated with excess
When we're fighting for the Beamer, the Lexus
As the heart and soul breath in the company goals
Where success is equated with excess
'Cause baby's always talkin' 'bout a ring
And talk has always been the cheapest thing
Is it true would you do what I want you to
If I show up with the right amount of bling?
Like a puppet on a monetary string
Maybe we've been caught singing
Red, white, blue, and green
But that ain't my America,
That ain't my American dream
BFB Clips
YESS ITS NED
OPPAjosh
@BFB Clips ye man
Jules John 3:16
Rockin!!! 😉 😎 👍 🎸 🎤 🎶 🙌
Tecnobot oficial
Me encanta la musica de switchfoot mi favorita es meant to live