Switchfoot – Only Hope

Switchfoot is an American alternative rock band, hailing from San Deigo, California.  They became active in 1996, releasing several albums and EP’s, including 11 studio albums, 5 live albums, and 14 EP’s, including The Beautiful Letdown, Oh! Gravity, and Fading West.

They won 31 awards for their work, including Dove’s for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year, Rock Recorded Song of the Year, and Artist of the Year.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Switchfoot-only-hope-lyrics.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

Switchfoot has a tune deep within to “You”, whose song awakens them.  Switchfoot prays to “You” as their only hope, asking that “Your” “song of the stars” and of “Your” plans for them.  Switchfoot gives “You” all that they have to offer.

Who is “You”?  I have no idea.  It could be Vishnu, the Christian God, Allah, or Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Switchfoot is not clear.  There are no explicit references to the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, nor are their acts shown.  While Christians could be quick to replace “You” with “God” or “Jesus”, one could insert almost anything they wanted in place of “you” and the lyrics would fit, so long as this individual receives prayer and claims to have plans for Switchfoot.

This song follows a basic format.

Score: 4/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

I deducted two points to assume “You” is the Christian God.  With that in mind, all of it is Biblical, assuming that my interpretation of God’s anthem of the stars is correct.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: The “song” is Switchfoot’s will.  They tried living life on their own, apart from God.  It left them broken and spiritually dead (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Proverbs 21:16, Luke 15:11-24, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13, and 1 Timothy 5:6).  Yet, God pursues them (Psalm 139:1-12).

[Chorus]

Lines 1-4: Switchfoot prays to God, praising Him as the only means to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, and 1 Corinthians 3:11) and that they can fix their eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2: My best guess is that like creation reminds Switchfoot that God is in control because it points to God’s glory (Psalm 19:1-4); However, I am not confident that this interpretation is accurate.  If you have a better explanation, let me know in the comments.

Lines 3 and 4: Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 55:8-10 remind Switchfoot that God’s plans are better than theirs.

[Bridge]

Lines 1-5: Switchfoot surrenders to God (Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

Score: 8/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will feel better about themselves, knowing that someone out there that receives their prayers has good plans for them.  Someone that they could pledge their life.  As mentioned in section 1, this individual is unknown.  Switchfoot is ambiguous on this front.  This leaves much room for a myriad of interpretations, muddying the waters of Switchfoot’s intended message.

Score: 3/10

4. What does this song glorify?

If we assume “You” is God, it brings Him glory that Switchfoot prays to and depends on Him.  If not, then it’s idolatry.

Score: 5/10

Closing Comments

Switchfoot’s Only Hope is unclear.  If we assume “You” is God and that the hope is in Jesus, then its lyrics present Switchfoot’s reliance on God for salvation, bringing Him glory.  If not, then Switchfoot are idolaters, worshipping and depending on a god who doesn’t exist.  Unbelievers have little to no reason to assume either interpretation is correct; However, they will feel refreshed and uplifted.

I cannot recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 5.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Only Hope (listen to the song)

Artist: Switchfoot

Album: New Way to Be Human

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release Year: 1999

Duration: 4:14

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