[1] The… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists who have gone by The Supertones.
[1] The O.C. Supertones (a.k.a. The Supertones) were a Christian ska band hailing from Orange County, California. The O.C. stands for Orange County and was formally used to differentiate them from another group, but they generally were referred to as The Supertones by fans and publicity, especially as of their second album. The band was formerly signed to Tooth & Nail Records before becoming an independent band for its final tour. Beginning with a more traditional ska sound, the Supertones moved next to a harder rock sound, which eventually changed again with more of a pop-rock influence.
The band began in the early 1990s as Saved. Originally formed by Matt Morginsky, Jason Carson and Tony Terusa while in Junior High School, the band played a mix of many styles including punk, rap, metal, disco, and funk. In 1995 they formed as The Orange County Supertones and settled on a ska based sound.
In the late 1990s The Supertones achieved wide popularity in the Christian and secular community. Their second album, 1997's release Supertones Strike Back, was a surprise smash hit, peaking on both Billboard's Heatseekers and Top Christian Albums charts at 3 and 2 respectively. Beginning with a more traditional ska sound, The Supertones moved next to a harder rock sound, which eventually changed again with more of a pop-rock influence. Their next two albums, 1999's Chase the Sun and 2000's Loud and Clear, each charted on the Billboard 200 chart. They continued to release albums until 2005, at which point they went on indefinite hiatus. This ended when they reunited for some shows in 2010. Since then they have had stints in 2012 and 2017, performing various reunion and anniversary shows. Their 2017 commemoration of the 20th anniversary of their most well-received album "Supertones Strike Back" was presented as a definitive "final show".
[2] The Supertones are an "instrumental surf" band from NYC active since 1988. They have released at least 12 albums.
Health and Wealth
The Supertones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God's their portion everyday.
But we don't know anybody
who lives that way.
There the church grows stronger,
under politics and chains and whips.
They can't explain how they
slipped right through their grip.
I think they got it right,
so maybe we got it wrong.
Health and wealth, we help ourselves,
and let them play the hand
that they've been dealt.
Health and wealth, indulge ourselves,
a big fat belly underneath our belts.
Health and wealth, we help ourselves,
and let them play the hand
that they've been dealt.
We'll never understand
the Christ they've felt,
if we keep on chasing
health and wealth.
Here we sit so comfy, rich.
use, me and you, the USA...
so far away from C-h-i-n-a.
We think they need freedom.
We're the ones in prison.
We don't have the time
to change the world.
It doesn't take long to figure out,
where all our money goes.
We're the poorest billionaires
Jesus knows.
And we ask God to refine us,
and pray that we would be freed,
from all our comfortable gods,
our straining and striving and
chasing the wind.
The Supertones' song "Health and Wealth" is a commentary on the misguided priorities of Western Christianity, specifically the pursuit of material comfort and security over spiritual growth and service. The song opens with a contrast between Christians in the West, who enjoy relative freedom and prosperity, and those in persecuted countries who rely on God daily for their provision. It's an indictment of the self-absorbed attitude of many Western Christians who are unaware or unconcerned about the suffering of their fellow believers in other parts of the world.
The second verse continues this theme, highlighting the irony of America criticising China for political oppression when it is guilty of spiritual captivity. The Supertones suggest that American Christians are too preoccupied with pursuing their own self-interest to make a real difference in the world. The bridge of the song consists of a call to repentance, acknowledging that the pursuit of health and wealth is a form of idolatry that needs to be dismantled in order for true spiritual growth to occur.
Line by Line Meaning
Poor men bound in persecution,
There are people who are poor and oppressed due to their beliefs and practices.
God's their portion everyday.
Despite their poverty and oppression, they find comfort and strength in their faith in God.
But we don't know anybody
who lives that way.
We are ignorant of the struggles of these people and cannot relate to their situation.
There the church grows stronger,
under politics and chains and whips.
Despite the adverse circumstances, their faith and sense of community grow stronger.
They can't explain how they
slipped right through their grip.
in the politics of Mao Tse-Tung.
I think they got it right,
so maybe we got it wrong.
Even under oppressive regimes, they have managed to maintain their faith and resist it, perhaps we can learn from their example.
Health and wealth, we help ourselves,
and let them play the hand
that they've been dealt.
We prioritize our own comfort and financial security, and ignore the struggles of those less fortunate.
Health and wealth, indulge ourselves,
a big fat belly underneath our belts.
We indulge in excess and luxury, which leads to a lack of self-control and physical health.
We'll never understand
the Christ they've felt,
if we keep on chasing
health and wealth.
Our obsession with material wealth blinds us to the deeper spiritual connection that others may have with Jesus.
Here we sit so comfy, rich.
use, me and you, the USA...
so far away from C-h-i-n-a.
We think they need freedom.
We're the ones in prison.
We are privileged and comfortable, but still maintain a misguided belief that we are somehow superior to those living in other countries.
We don't have the time
to change the world.
We are complacent and unwilling to make difficult changes to improve the world for others.
It doesn't take long to figure out,
where all our money goes.
Our wealth is not being used to help others, but rather is being hoarded or used for our own selfish desires.
We're the poorest billionaires
Jesus knows.
Despite our wealth, we are spiritually impoverished and lacking in compassion for others.
And we ask God to refine us,
and pray that we would be freed,
from all our comfortable gods,
our straining and striving and
chasing the wind.
We recognize our own weaknesses and ask for God's help in shedding our materialistic tendencies and becoming more compassionate.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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