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
Thrive
Switchfoot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like voices coming from the inside of me
Like doing things I find hard to believe in
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
I've been awake for an hour or so
Checking for a pulse but I just don't know
Am I a man if I feel like a ghost?
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
A steering wheel doesn't mean you can drive
A warm body doesn't mean I'm alive
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I come alive when I hear you singing
But lately I haven't been hearing a thing
I get the feeling that I'm in between
A machine and a man who only looks like me
I try and hide it and not let it show
But deep down inside me I just don't know
Am I a man if I feel like a hoax?
The stranger in the mirror's been wearing my clothes
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
A steering wheel doesn't mean you can drive
A warm body doesn't mean I'm alive
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I'm always close, but I'm never enough
I'm always alive, but I'm never in love
I get so down, but I won't give up
I get so down, but I won't give up
I get so down, but I won; t give up
Been fighting things that I can't see
Like voices coming from the inside of me, yeah
Like doing things I find hard to believe in
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
Thrive, thrive, thrive, yeah, thrive
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
A steering wheel doesn't mean you can drive
A warm body doesn't mean I'm alive
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I wanna thrive not just survive
Yeah yeah
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I wanna thrive not just survive
Feels like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
The song Thrive by Switchfoot is about the struggles of finding one's true identity in a world full of noise and chaos. The first verse talks about fighting things that cannot be seen, like the voices from within, and doing things that one finds hard to believe in, questioning one's own identity and existence. The second verse deepens this theme by portraying the feeling of being lost in between a machine and a man, and the struggle to hide this insecurity from the world. However, the chorus talks of the desire to thrive rather than just survive, to find meaning in life and to break free from the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of emptiness.
This song has a universal appeal, as many can relate to feeling lost and unsure about who they truly are. By using the metaphor of driving and arriving, the lyrics express the idea that owning a steering wheel or having a warm body doesn't necessarily mean one is truly alive, and that the journey is just as important as the destination. The desire to thrive rather than merely survive is a common human longing, and this song speaks to that desire by encouraging listeners to take control of their lives and actively pursue their potential.
Line by Line Meaning
Been fighting things that I can't see
Struggling with internal demons and personal battles that are not visible to the outside world.
Like voices coming from the inside of me
Intrusive thoughts and negative self-talk that are hard to ignore and seem to be coming from within oneself.
Like doing things I find hard to believe in
Feeling like one's actions and decisions don't align with their true self or values.
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
Questioning one's identity and existence, and feeling unsure if they are truly living an authentic life or just going through the motions.
No, I'm not alright
Acknowledging that something is not okay and that there is an internal struggle happening.
I know that I'm not right
Understanding that something is wrong and that there needs to be a change or resolution.
A steering wheel doesn't mean you can drive
Just because one has control or power over something, it doesn't guarantee that they can handle or navigate it correctly.
A warm body doesn't mean I'm alive
Existing is not the same as truly living, and one can feel dead inside even if their body is physically present and functioning.
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
Constantly moving forward and making progress, but feeling like there is still a long way to go to reach a desired goal or destination.
I wanna thrive not just survive
Desiring to live a fulfilling and meaningful life, rather than just getting by and existing day-to-day without purpose or passion.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JON FOREMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wendy B. Vargas Quesada
Been fighting things that I can't see
Like voices coming from the inside of me
Like doing things I find hard to believe in
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
I've been awake for an hour or so
Checking for a pulse but I just don't know
Am I a man if I feel like a ghost?
The stranger in the mirror is wearing my clothes
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
A steering wheel doesn't mean you can drive
A warm body doesn't mean I'm alive
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I come alive when I hear you singing
But lately I haven't been hearing a thing
I get the feeling that I'm in between
A machine and a man who only looks like me
I try and hide it and not let it show
But deep down inside me I just don't know
Am I a man if I feel like a hoax?
The stranger in the mirror's been wearing my clothes
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
A steering wheel doesn't mean you can drive
A warm body doesn't mean I'm alive
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I'm always close, but I'm never enough
I'm always alive, but I'm never in love
I get so down, but I won't give up
I get so down, but I won't give up
I get so down, but I won; t give up
Been fighting things that I can't see
Like voices coming from the inside of me, yeah
Like doing things I find hard to believe in
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
Am I myself or am I dreaming?
Thrive, thrive, thrive, yeah, thrive
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
A steering wheel doesn't mean you can drive
A warm body doesn't mean I'm alive
No, I'm not alright
I know that I'm not right
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I wanna thrive not just survive
Yeah yeah
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I wanna thrive not just survive
I wanna thrive not just survive
Feels like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive
Abel J
You're loved more than you could ever know bro, Thaks for being here
Every blessing that we have is always imperfect, and every in painful moment theres always an element of beauty. I don't have all the answers but I'm here.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Charity Ann
I needed this song today. We aren’t alone out here folks. It’s ok to have days when we’re not alright. Big hugs to my weary-soul siblings out here. 💛
Timothy Steele
Amen 🙏 🙏
RisenVideo
“The stranger in the mirror is wearing my clothes” - Jon Foreman
Great lyrics, chords and rock sound throughout this well produced album.
It is by far one of their best albums.
Cory Peters
This song always reminds me to keep going no matter how much shit gets thrown my way. Thank you Switchfoot. you have taught me so much about myself..
Diane Bautista
This has been one of my fave songs ever of the band.
Just today, I shared this song with my sister who's been drowning with severe anxiety. I just couldn't fathom how mental illness can totally change a person. Until now, my heart is crying seeing her mentally exhausted because she's been scared of unknown thoughts. When I messaged her the lyrics of this song, the first 2 lines already got her.. in tears.. switchfoot has been like a medium of people who couldn't express themselves clearly. The lyrics are like from the mouths of the people who are lost and unsure of things.
I hope that very soon, my sister will be okay. She has always been the strongest person I know, but anxiety totally ate her up.
christop righteous
Praying for you
Lukewarm Take
You’re a good sibling. I have anxiety too. Switchfoot has helped me through some complicated emotions
Diane Bautista
@christop righteous thank u. Your prayer worked my brother. My sister's is all ok now. She is still on meds but the fact that she can sleep soundly at night, seeing her smile all the time.. not the pretentious smiles, genuine ones. It all made me calm as well. Before she cant eat, now I am loving the fact that she'll invite me for some satisfy-thy-craving moods. Haha..
Thank you brother. I am praying for u too.
Diane Bautista
@Lukewarm Take she was and always been good to me. And being for her all the time is my only way to repay her.
I love listening to diff genres and bands, i am even a big fan of Kpop but switchoot song has a special place in my heart. Same as u, their songs has helped me a lot. Prayers for u also
Tammy Clarksen
This song was what turned my life around and made me realize I was in a relationship where I lost MYSELF. I would sob listening to it...It helped me to take a path to healing myself and be happy again. I found myself again. I ended a long marriage and am now healthy minded again. I am now THRIVING.....