Keagan

1. Trouble in the Suburbs

 

Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me.”

 

Lyrics:

It’s hard to let go, another new part of me died today.

Need something that Holds when everything comes and goes away.

Building houses on sand moving as the ground begins to shake, promoting lies with our filth ‘till everything’s right in our own way.

And all these people… they don’t even notice these… holes and shadows… falling further into the deep.

This world around you… this is not how it’s supposed to be… filled with evil… things that shouldn’t be happening.

Another new low, the cycle we’re on repeats again.

Forgetting all that we are, ignoring the places from which we came.

We harden our hearts, conform to the world and pass the blame, become something we’re not, losing all innocence and faith.

And all these people… they don’t even notice these… holes and shadows… falling further into the deep.

This world around you… this is not how it’s supposed to be… filled with evil… things that shouldn’t be happening.

Please tell me I’m not! Please tell me I’m not! Please tell me I’m not! Please tell me I’m not!

Please tell me I’m not! Please tell me I’m not! Please tell me I’m not the only one who sees!

And all these people… they don’t even notice these… holes and shadows… falling further into the deep.

This world around you… this is not how it’s supposed to be… filled with evil… things that shouldn’t be happening.

(Repeat)

 

Meaning:

Reflecting on my experience growing up in the suburbs of Dallas Texas, there was an element of innocence and sheltering which I consider myself lucky to have had. While I knew better, in the back of my mind I took for granted the luxuries I was given and naively believed that everyone had a similar lifestyle and upbringing as myself. However, for some people there comes a moment when the blinders are removed and their eyes are opened to the existence of real evil for the first time. This song is about that moment, the point at which one’s paradigm of the world is forever changed and that person must learn to cope with a chaotic world filled with evil and vices.

 

2. Stuck in Denial

 

Lyrics:

I’ve been waiting here a long time, I’ve been waiting here a long time baby.

But things look better from the outside, things look better from the outside baby.

Don’t you know? Don’t you know? Don’t you know? Don’t you know?

And I’ve been hurting on the inside, I’ve been hurting on the inside baby.

But things look better from the outside, things look so much better from the outside.

Don’t you know? Don’t you know? Don’t you know? Don’t you know?

Go!

And all the things that you said to me, well they hurt so badly.

And all the things that you said to me, well they hurt so badly.

Stuck in denial, stuck here a while, stuck in denial, stuck here a long, long while.

Stuck in denial, stuck here a while, stuck in denial, stuck here a long, long while.

 

Meaning:

This song is about keeping a strong façade on the exterior when you are really hurting inside. You continually deny the pain because your pride, but unless you humble yourself and confront these emotions head on they will not go away.

 

3. Means to an End

 

Ephesians 2:1-5 – “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world… but God, being rich in mercy… made us alive together with Christ.”

 

Lyrics:

How many times have I found myself all broken and hurt looking forward to death? And my time is up but I force a smile, the coward’s way out put myself on trial.

Ready or not there’s no time for thinking! Heaven or hell which one’s gates are swinging? Russian roulette there will be no winner, loaded and cocked come on pull the trigger!

Whaoh Come on pull the trigger! Whaoh Come on pull the trigger!

Gave it my all but I’m sick of trying, can’t take it no more I look forward to dying. As real as it gets this is not pretend I finally found my means to an end.

Bear with me right here we have a while! Look at them walk they go single file! Trapped in this world where they’re scared to differ, loaded and cocked come on pull the trigger!

Whaoh Come on pull the trigger! Whaoh Come on pull the trigger!

Is this really going down? My world’s crashing to the ground, feel my finger slipping now it’s too late to turn around! (Repeat)

Whaoh Come on pull the trigger! Whaoh Come on pull the trigger! (Repeat)

Stop! Stop! Stop!

 

Meaning:

In our world, the cool or popular thing to do is often not what the right thing to do. This song is about living an unfulfilled life of conforming to the world and trying to be someone that you’re not so that you will be accepted. Being trapped in a life style of trying to please people can often lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. While it may feel like you are in too deep and there is no turning back once you have started down a certain path, God always allows a way out, a way to escape. That being said, it is impossible to serve two masters, so the decision becomes whether you will choose to be dead to the world and devoted to God or dead to God and devoted to the world. A choice has to be made, Pull the Trigger!

 

4. Won't Go Quietly

 

Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

 

Lyrics:

I’ll leave no words unspoken. I won’t back down to anyone for anything.

I’ll find my peace in broken. I won’t give up, I’ll scream it at the top of my lungs!

The judge me by the surface, but I don’t, I don’t deserve this!

They label me with their lies, they kick me down but I rise!

All that we are, so far apart, give up our hearts, but I won’t go quietly!

I’ll put my hope in nothing. I’ll speak the truth even when it hurts.

And I won’t sit down for a moment, I won’t shut up, I’ll scream it at the top of my lungs!

The judge me by the surface, but I don’t, I don’t deserve this!

They label me with their lies, they kick me down but I rise!

All that we are, so far apart, give up our hearts, but I won’t go quietly!

And these words will fade, this love this hate, we’ve lost our way, but I won’t go quietly!

I’ll rise! (Repeat)

Fight for tomorrow hold strong in to the morning light of the sunrise, he’ll give you peace. (Repeat)

All that we are, so far apart, give up our hearts, but I won’t go quietly!

And these words will fade, this love this hate, we’ve lost our way, but I won’t go quietly!

 

Meaning:

Some of the greatest atrocities our world has seen were allowed because good people (with the power to stop them) sat and watched idly not wanting to enter the fray and get their hands dirty. This song is about standing up for what you believe in and fighting for what is right. The world needs a voice of good to promote justice, speak the truth, and defend the weak. We all have the power to be a light in the world, we all have a voice, and we all have the ability to create change. Be the light.

 

5. Circles

 

Lyrics:

Was it all in my head? I keep running in circles.

Think about you again, but we’re in separate worlds.

Was it something I said? My life spirals in circles.

Turn to others again, forgetting hurts and it cripples.

All I need is your love to be happy, but here we are running circles again!

All alone, let your love surround me! Give me hope, give be life, give me breath!

Was this where we began? A pattern moving in circles.

Trusting in you again, forgive betrayal and impulse.

All I need is your love to be happy, but here we are running circles again!

All alone, let your love surround me! Give me hope, give be life, give me breath!

Was it all in my head? I keep running in circles.

Think about you again, but we’re in separate worlds.

 

Meaning:

True joy is found in God and God alone, but often we think we know better than he does. We foolishly believe that we will be fine without him, so we pursue our own desires. “Circles” is about a pattern of falling from God and then turning back to Him when we realize that we cannot live without Him.

 

6. Against the Wall

 

Philippians 4:13 –“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

Lyrics:

How can I do anything at all, living with my back against the wall?

Why do I get up when I just fall? How can I do anything at all?

Keep fighting on, cause we’re not alone!

Pinned to a wall putting faith in the unknown!

So you think you’ve won cause I am small? Well I can see you know nothing at all.

So you think you’re mighty standing tall? Well I can see you’re headed for a fall.

Keep fighting on, cause we’re not alone!

Pinned to a wall putting faith in the unknown!

At the end of my rope, there’s no light but I have hope.

I’ve been broke, I’m afraid, but I stand to face the day!

Against the wall while it’s caving on me… I’ll stand and fight for what I believe.

I will rise as I’m struggling through… with God on my side I know I won’t lose!

Keep fighting on, cause we’re not alone!

Pinned to a wall putting faith in the unknown!

At the end of my rope, there’s no light but I have hope.

I’ve been broke, I’m afraid, but I stand to face the day!

Meaning:

This song is about putting your trust in God and refusing to give up when it seems that all is lost and the odds are against you. We all face adversity in our lives, we’ve all been kicked down, but God will give us strength to overcome anything if we put our hope in Him.

 

7. What Hurts the Most

 

Lyrics:

Do you remember when we were young?

Life was easy, life was fun.

And not I just wanna go back to the way things were before.

Maybe I can still save you… Maybe I can do more!

Now I remember as I look back, I see your shadow as it stabs my back.

And what hurts the most is before we were so close. I hope you’re satisfied cause now I’m dying inside.

Do you remember when we were young?

Life was easy, life was fun.

And not I just wanna go back to the way things were before.

Maybe I can still save you… Maybe I can do more!

Now I remember as I look back, I see your shadow as it stabs my back.

And what hurts the most is before we were so close. I hope you’re satisfied cause now I’m dying inside.

Do you remember when we were young?

Life was easy, life was fun.

 

 

Meaning:

This song is about growing pains, betrayal, and drifting apart from a close friend.

 

8. Never Think Twice

 

Ephesians 5:8 – For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

 

Lyrics:

One, Two, Three, Four.

I was once afraid of what I couldn’t see, afraid to take a chance, afraid that I might bleed.

I was headed down a one way dead end street in a world so dark, in a world so mean.

And when it all seemed lost, that’s when you found me here. You helped me overcome, you helped me face my fears.

And now I can’t get you out of my mind! Yeah I think about you all the time cause…

Cause I can’t get you out of my head, and when I’m lost I look to you instead!

Cause when I see you, the dark turns to light!

And every step that I take, you’re changing my life!

Think about you? I’d never think twice again… again.

And when I’m all alone, your touch it feels like home.

Your redefining glow, changing all I know.

From dark you set me free because you gave me peace.

A peace that always lasts, a peace I always need.

And now I can’t get you out of my mind! Yeah I think about you all the time cause…

Cause I can’t get you out of my head, and when I’m lost I look to you instead!

Cause when I see you, the dark turns to light!

And every step that I take, you’re changing my life!

Think about you? I’d never think twice again… again.

Never think twice! (repeat)

Cause when I see you, the dark turns to light!

And every step that I take, you’re changing my life!

Think about you? I’d never think twice again… again.

(Repeat)

 

 

Meaning:

Once you have truly experienced God’s love and grace it transforms your life. You will never think twice about Him again.

 

9. Forgiven

 

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”

 

Lyrics:

It’s not my fault but I’ll take the blame for you.

Open your eyes I’ll show you the truth.

Freedom ain’t cheap but I’ll pay it all for you,

a pure sacrifice to make you like new.

A ransom to save your life with my body,

bought with a price paid for in full.

To settle a debt you can’t pay without me.

Redeemed you were lost and now you’re made whole

Love you’re neighbor and serve one another, do everything that you do in my name, live for me I’ve made you my brother, forgiven by grace and saved through your faith.

(You are forgiven, you are made clean, you are my family, you are saved!)

It’s not my fault but I’ll take the blame for you.

Open your eyes I’ll show you the truth.

Freedom ain’t cheap but I’ll pay it all for you,

a pure sacrifice to make you like new.

 

Meaning:

Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth and gave himself as a perfect sacrifice submitting to a criminal’s death on a cross. He did this to redeem us from the debt of our sins which we couldn’t pay so that we would be forgiven, adopted as brothers of Christ, and have hope of everlasting life.