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
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Oh! Gravity
Switchfoot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la! La la la!
La la la! La la la!
La la la! La la la!
There's a fracture in the color bar
In the backseat of a parked car
By the liquor store where the streetlight
In the same town, there's the same scar
In the same glow of the liquor store
By the freeway where the headlight
Keep her company till the next night
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Sons of my enemies
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
In the back room of the Pentagon
There's a thin man with the line drawn
With a red jaw and a red bite
Watch the headline on the next night
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Sons of my enemies
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Why this tragedy?
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to put it together?
In the fallout, the fallout
We found out the hype won't get you through
We're connected, connected
I meant it, the hype won't get you through
(Through!)
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to put it together?
Why this tragedy?
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to put it together, now?
La la la la la la!
La la la!
La la la la la la la la!
La la la la la!
La la la!
La
Let's put it together
The song "Oh! Gravity" by Switchfoot explores the theme of societal fractures and the struggle to keep things together. The opening lines of the song, "La la la! La la la!" are repeated throughout the song, creating a haunting melody that underlies the lyrics. The first verse describes a scene of brokenness and despair - a color bar has fractured, and there is a scar in the same town, both near liquor stores where people seek solace in the light of streetlamps and headlights. The chorus asks why we can't seem to keep it together, and references "sons of my enemies" - perhaps suggesting that the strife and division within society is a product of long-held grudges and animosity.
The second verse takes a political turn, describing a "thin man with the line drawn" in the back room of the Pentagon. The line is likely a reference to the "red line" used in foreign policy circles to denote a particular boundary beyond which the US will not allow an adversary to cross. The "red jaw and red bite" suggest that this man is a predator, waiting for an opportunity to strike. The chorus repeats the question, "Why can't we seem to keep it together?" and adds, "Why this tragedy?" - perhaps suggesting that the fracture and division in society will inevitably lead to tragedy if we can't find a way to heal it.
Overall, "Oh! Gravity" is a powerful statement about societal division and the struggle to keep things together. Its haunting melody and simple, repetitive lyrics create a sense of urgency and despair that speaks to the current state of the world. The song suggests that we are all connected, and that if we can't find a way to heal our divisions, tragedy is inevitable.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a fracture in the color bar
There is a division in our society
In the backseat of a parked car
This divide plays out in even the most mundane moments
By the liquor store where the streetlight
This separation is reinforced in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods
Keep you company till the next night
Where people are trapped by their circumstances and routines
In the same town, there's the same scar
This phenomenon is not specific to any particular location
In the same glow of the liquor store
The same pattern repeats itself under the same streetlights
By the freeway where the headlight
The open road symbolizes the possibility of escape
Keep her company till the next night
Yet still people are haunted by their past and their present
Oh! Gravity
This feeling of being stuck is like an unstoppable force
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
It is a question that plagues us all
Sons of my enemies
The root of this division is often inherited from those who came before us
In the back room of the Pentagon
The people in power are often working against us
There's a thin man with the line drawn
There is a clear line between those in charge and those not
With a red jaw and a red bite
The consequences of their actions are often violent and bloody
Watch the headline on the next night
The news cycle constantly reminds us of their power
Why this tragedy?
We are left wondering why this division must continue
In the fallout, the fallout
We are living with the aftermath of their decisions
We found out the hype won't get you through
False promises of change and unity only go so far
We're connected, connected
We must remember our common humanity and work together
I meant it, the hype won't get you through (Through!)
It takes real effort and commitment to make a meaningful change
Let's put it together
We must come together and work towards a better future
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JON FOREMAN, TIM FOREMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chairunnisas.u2037
La la la! La la la!
La la la! La la la!
La la la! La la la!
La la la! La la la!
There's a fracture in the color bar
In the backseat of a parked car
By the liquor store where the streetlight
Keep you company till the next night
In the same town, there's the same scar
In the same glow of the liquor store
By the freeway where the headlight
Keep her company till the next night
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Sons of my enemies
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
In the back room of the Pentagon
There's a thin man with the line drawn
With a red jaw and a red bite
Watch the headline on the next night
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Sons of my enemies
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Why this tragedy?
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to put it together?
In the fallout, the fallout
We found out the hype won't get you through
We're connected, connected
I meant it, the hype won't get you through
(Through!)
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to put it together?
Why this tragedy?
Why can't we seem to keep it together?
Oh! Gravity
Why can't we seem to put it together, now?
La la la la la la!
La la la!
La la la la la la la la!
La la la la la!
La la la!
La
Let's put it together
@SaveDaDrama4YoMoma
One of the most underrated Christian Rock Bands!!!!
@matthewwheeler469
I heard this years ago in MLB 07 The Show. I had forgotten about it until I stumbled onto it yesterday and now I can't stop listening.
@TehSpury
Same, I remember in summer I'd play all day
@tyleradams3089
MLB 07 had an amazing soundtrack. No other year topped it imo.
@elizabethi.839
This music never gets old. Sounds and feels like timeless.
@AddBowIfGirl
Agreed. Even when in 2020.
@ndjoker34
I couldn't agree more. It's a very timeless and classic Switchfoot song.
@marcmaza2821
Ryan sheckler days! 👊🏼 Im with you!
@ndjoker34
Still an amazing song and equally amazing video after all these years. I just love how energetic this song is.
@foodxsleep8805
yesss