The fourth song from Switchfoot's latest, Nothing Is Sound
Here's a tune that is a bit different than anything we've done before. It's a very simple tune- so simple that we almost overlooked it. The fight with this one was to work slow. The song didn't want much else other than a very honest performance. So when we went in to start overdubbing we would track a bunch of ideas and then come to the conclusion that we liked it better naked. So we would take everything off and start from scratch. It ended up being one of my favorite songs on the record. One of my favorite moments on the record was singing the words into the piano to get all of the strings resonating; I had the idea a while ago and have never been able to pull it off. It felt great to scream into a piano and hear the piano scream back. I can't wait to play this song live- it feels like it needs to be sung outdoors, against the backdrop of a dark night.
This is definitely not your standard guitar-driven Switchfoot offering. I've put off writing about this song because I still haven't got my head around it but as I am kept awake by thunder, now is as good a time as any. When I first heard it not much happened as I heard it only in my low quality free Amazon download. When I got the actual album in the mail this song just stood out. It's beautiful! I'm still trying to understand the lyrics but it seems to be a contrast of light and dark and how we live in both; dealing with what this world has to offer us and how we know it isn't as it should be.
Here's the lyrics:
Sunshine, won't you be my mother
Sunshine, come and help me sing
My heart is darker than these oceans
My heart is frozen underneath
We are crooked souls trying to stay up straight,
Dry eyes in the pouring rain well
The shadow proves the sunshine
The shadow proves the sunshine
To scared little runaways
Hold fast to the break of day light were
The shadow proves the sunshine
Oh Lord, why did you forsake me?
Oh Lord, don't be far away away
Storm clouds gathering beside me
Please Lord, don't look the other way
Crooked souls trying to stay up straight
Dry eyes in the pouring rain well
The shadow proves the sunshine
The shadow proves the sunshine
To scared little runaways
Hold fast to the break of day light were
The shadow proves the sunshine
The shadow proves the sunshine
Yeah Yeah, shine on me
Yeah Yeah, shine on me
Yeah Yeah, shine on me
Yeah Yeah, shine on me
Crooked souls trying to stay up straight
Dry eyes in the pouring rain well
The shadow proves the sunshine
The shadow proves the sunshine
To scared little runaways
Hold fast to the break of day light were
The shadow proves the sunshine
The shadow proves the sunshine
Yeah Yeah, shine on me
Yeah Yeah, shine on me
Yeah Yeah, shine on me
Shine on me,
Lyrics from Sing365.com
Technocrati Tags: switchfoot
Posted by Tim at September 20, 2005 03:23 AMTOTALLY AWESOME SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for all your insightful comments on Switchfoot's newest project. I totally agree with you on this song, "The Shadow proves the Sunshine." My own take is that difficult circumstances and trials in life are used by God to refine us, producing within us a purity. There are times when we feel God is oblivious to our plight, and yet, through the darkness of our problems, He is always and ever there, and faithfully brings us sunshine in due time.
Posted by: Rich Jacobson at October 4, 2005 08:45 AMThis song definately stood out in Nothing Is Sound. It surely is not a typical Switchfoot song.
Though most of Switchfoot's songs seem to have deep meanings embedded in them, this one seems to portray its meaning by presenting a perfect mood, tempo, and strength.
It's a very great song, even if you aren't looking for meanings. It just sounds great.
Posted by: Zorgon at October 7, 2005 10:46 PMno way..this song is my favorite in the album...and yes it does sound great....but like Rich said....."It's a very great song, even if you aren't looking for meanings"....i think this song does have a very strong meaning and purpose. when i hear it its encouraging me....saying when u are having a bad times (shadow) u just have to realize without those bad times, u wont realize how great those good times really are (sunshine)...its just imo a great song to listen to when u are down...rock on switchfoot
PS this song also had alot to do with the Kids down in Africa...i dunno if thats why they wrote it...but they really thought about the song and appreciated it down there
Yet again, Switchfoot have graced us with another heartfelt masterpiece. It's quality music, without a doubt. What I respect most about Switchfoot is that they are true to themselves (forgive the cliche). But in all honesty, they are one of the most inspiring bands out there at the moment, a time where music industry is swarmed with either girls parading around in skimpy bikinis or guys that scream obsenities and objectify women.
Switchfoot are truly pioneers in their field!
Posted by: Cody at October 30, 2005 03:49 AMWhen i first heard this song i was truly impressed with the truly insightful, while seemingly obvious, point of the shadow proving the sunshine. This song has made me realize that when i am looking at shadows...I am looking the wrong way. All it takes is a quik 180 and i see the sunshine. wow...
Posted by: trevor at January 4, 2006 11:03 AMI personally think that "Shadow Proves The Sunshine" is the best song on the Nothing Is Sound album. The rythm and beat are very nice and the lyrics bring up a variety of emotions. In a way the song depresses me and makes me sad, but that's why I like it. It's honest, it's sad, it is heartbreaking. This song is very easy to relate to. It speaks to the heart and mind. I love Switchfoot and wish them the best now and always. May God bless their souls.
Posted by: Mayra at January 17, 2006 12:36 PMI agree that this song is the best one on their new album, and I was so excited when Switchfoot began their concert last week in Austin with "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine." The first time I heard this song, I couldn't help but smile because it reminded me of a word I had gotten about a year earlier: “Only in darkness can one lose its shadow.
You were never in complete darkness.
Even the faintest light casts a shadow.”
