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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Playing For Keeps
Switchfoot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would sing this to me slow?
'Cause I'm thinking it's my song
Do me a favor
Would you tell me when to let go?
'Cause I think I'm holding on
Would you do it for me?
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms
If you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Time for moving on
Do me a favor
Would you tell me which way's up?
'Cause I don't know where I fit
Do me a favor
Would to you tell me when to stop?
'Cause I don't know how to quit
Would you do it for me?
Would you do it for me?
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms
If you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Time for moving on
Do me a favor
Do me a favor
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms
If you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Time for moving on
The lyrics of Switchfoot's "Playing for Keeps" suggest a sense of uncertainty and a need for direction. The singer is asking for someone's help to guide them through decisions regarding their future. In the first verse, the singer requests that whoever they're asking to sing the song slowly as it is essential to them. It could mean that the song holds personal significance to the singer or it helps them sort through their thoughts. The singer then asks that the person they are asking for help tells them when to let go since they believe they might be holding onto something that's not serving them well.
In the second verse, the singer seeks direction to find where they fit in and when they should stop. They are searching for guidance from someone they trust. The chorus, "Tell me tomorrow has come with open arms, If you say it's time to move on, Then I'll stop holding on, If you say it's time for moving on, Time for moving on" suggests that the singer requires a definitive answer to the path they should follow. Overall, this song conveys the singer's desperation to find their place in life and to make the right choices to move forward productively.
Line by Line Meaning
Do me a favor
I'm calling out for help
Would sing this to me slow?
Can you please take your time explaining this to me?
'Cause I'm thinking it's my song
I feel like this situation is specifically tailored to me
Would you tell me when to let go?
Can you give me guidance on when to move on from this?
'Cause I think I'm holding on
I'm afraid to let go and need help doing so
Would you do it for me?
Can you take the lead on this for me?
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
This situation is of great importance to me
Tell me tomorrow has come
Assure me that progress is taking place
With open arms
Ready to embrace change
If you say it's time to move on
I trust your guidance and will follow it
Then I'll stop holding on
I'll release my grip on the past and embrace new beginnings
If you say that it's time for moving on
I'm eagerly awaiting change and growth
Do you me a favor
I'm still in need of your help
Would you tell me which way's up?
Give me direction and clarity
'Cause I don't know where I fit
I feel lost and unsure of my place in this situation
Would to you tell me when to stop?
Can you help me avoid overextending myself?
'Cause I don't know how to quit
I'm afraid to let go and need your guidance to do so
Time for moving on
A new chapter is beginning
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jonathan Mark Foreman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adrielmarques3412
Do me a favor
Would you sing this to me slow?
'Cause I'm thinking it's my song
Do me a favor
Would you tell me when to let go?
'Cause I think I'm holding on
Would you do it for me?
Would you do it for me?
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms, open arms, open arms
'Cause if you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on, holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Yeah, time for moving on, yeah
Do me a favor
Would you tell me which way's up?
'Cause I don't know where I fit
Do me a favor
Would you tell me when to stop?
'Cause I don't know how to quit
Would you do it for me?
Would you do it for me?
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms, open arms, open arms
If you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on, holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Yeah, time for moving on
Do me a favor
Do me a favor
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms, open arms, open arms
'Cause if you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on, holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Yeah, time for moving on, yeah, time for moving on
@dyeph104
Do me a favor
Would you sing this to me slow?
'Cause I'm thinking it's my song
Do me a favor
Would you tell me when to let go?
'Cause I think I'm holding on
Would you do it for me?
Would you do it for me?
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms, open arms, open arms
'Cause if you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on, holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Yeah, time for moving on, yeah
Do me a favor
Would you tell me which way's up?
'Cause I don't know where I fit
Do me a favor
Would you tell me when to stop?
'Cause I don't know how to quit
Would you do it for me?
Would you do it for me?
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms, open arms, open arms
If you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on, holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Yeah, time for moving on
Do me a favor
Do me a favor
'Cause I'm playing for keeps
Tell me tomorrow has come
With open arms, open arms, open arms
'Cause if you say it's time to move on
Then I'll stop holding on, holding on
If you say that it's time for moving on
Yeah, time for moving on, yeah, time for moving on
@vaIkiriforce
Most underrated Switchfoot song.
@Nico_Peeko
I fell in love and had my heart broken to this song, even though I have mixed feelings about it, it's a damn good song.
@eg4950
Music has a really powerful effect on our emotions friend. Hope life has given you only the best since then!
@jonnyogy2872
The guitar and drums are really snazzy in this song and straight up awesomeness! ✨🚀🐉
@estersanchez6986
One of my all time favs
@skybird8471
I guess I'll just put this song on loop forever.. until I move on. Keeeeeps!! Real Life Bruh (as my 5 yr old would say).
@lauraryou961
Fabulous song
@rockcristianoita
Absolutely great!
@lucystephanieproperties
One of the songs best songs. ❤
@itaintmebabe714
If you say that it's time for moving on