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".
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Redemption
Switchfoot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm wearing out a lonely glow
I miss you more than I could know
Here I am, here I am
I've got my hand in redemption's side
Whose scars are bigger than these doubts of mine
I'll fit all of these monstrosities inside
With my fist down at your feet
I was running out of mysteries
Insecure and incomplete, here I am, here I am,
won't you get me?
My fears have worn me out
My fears have worn me out
My fears have worn me, worn me
The opening lines of Switchfoot's "Redemption" express the feeling of loneliness and longing for someone absent. The singer is up early, two hours before he needs to be, with only his own "lonely glow" to keep him company. This suggests that the person he's thinking of was likely a comfort to him when they were together, and his current state of being alone only heightens his feelings of longing. He misses the person he's thinking of more than he can even comprehend.
However, the singer finds some solace in the idea of redemption. He refers to having his "hand in redemption's side," which is a clear reference to the wound sustained by Jesus Christ on the cross. He acknowledges that his doubts and fears are much smaller than the scars that redemption represents. The singer goes on to say that he will fit all of his "monstrosities" inside of this idea of redemption, which implies that he sees himself as flawed or imperfect in some way, but is able to find hope in the idea that he can be saved or redeemed in some way.
The chorus goes on to switch focus back to the singer's feelings of insecurity and incompleteness. However, he addresses these fears directly, asking for the person he's thinking of to "get" him. It's not entirely clear what he means by this, but it could be interpreted as a plea for the person to understand him or accept him, even with his flaws and fears. The final lines of the chorus repeat the phrase "my fears have worn me out," driving home the idea that the singer's fears and doubts are a heavy burden that he's struggling to carry.
Line by Line Meaning
Four A.M., two hours to go
It's late at night and the singer has a few more hours before dawn.
I'm wearing out a lonely glow
The singer is feeling lonely and tired.
I miss you more than I could know
The singer is missing someone deeply and doesn't even understand the full extent of their longing.
Here I am, here I am
The singer is present and aware of their emotions.
I've got my hand in redemption's side
The singer is trying to grasp onto their own redemption, trying to find a way to be saved.
Whose scars are bigger than these doubts of mine
The singer recognizes that their doubts are small compared to the wounds of redemption.
I'll fit all of these monstrosities inside
The singer will accept all of their imperfections and flaws.
and I'll come alive
By accepting their flaws, the singer feels that they will be able to fully live.
With my fist down at your feet
The singer is humbling themselves and pleading for help.
I was running out of mysteries
The singer feels that they have exhausted all their solutions and is now grasping for something bigger than themselves.
Insecure and incomplete, here I am, here I am, won't you get me?
The singer feels vulnerable and incomplete, and is reaching out for help and guidance.
My fears have worn me out
The singer's fears have depleted their energy and spirit.
My fears have worn me out
The singer repeats this line to emphasize the all-consuming nature of their fears.
My fears have worn me, worn me
The singer repeats this line to emphasize the lasting effect of their fears.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Boudleaux Bryant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ned
"Redemption"
Four A.M. two hours to go
I'm wearing out a lonely glow.
I miss you more than I could know.
Here I am, here I am,
won't you get me?
I've got my hands on redemption's side
Whose scars are bigger than these doubts of mine.
I'll fit all of these monstrosities inside
and I'll come alive.
With my fist down at your feet
I was running out of mysteries
Insecure and incomplete, here I am, here I am,
won't you get me?
My fears have worn me out
My fears have worn me out
My fears have worn me, worn me.
Coko Fans [Music for God]
This song is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE and COMPLETELY REMARKABLE!!!! I no longer want to fit my monstrosities inside!!!!! Instead, I want to surrender them to Christ!!!!!! Please pray for me, Christians.
Tus Gertrude Tod Randy XVII
I will bro
Ro Faulkner
The wave of nostalgia that hit me when this started to play, I'm about to cry. This song makes me so happy
the bear family TV
This entire album! I met them at private concert in 03 it was amazing
the bear family TV
Same!!!
Dan D
haven't listened to this song in ~12 years and I still remember every word
Chula
Why not?
Coko Fans [Music for God]
Wow!!!! It's a REALLY GREAT song!!!!!
Dan D
still
Elise Wilson
Same my dude