Elevation Rhythm + Aaron Cole - Back Then Lyrics
Lyrics
I remember back when
I remember back then
I was bad Mike Jackson
That’s when God came and tapped in
I can never go back then
Never go back then
Never go back then
Never go back then
Never go back then
Now I just lean on the Rock
I been tryna get right
Weight on me heavy I look to the light
Been in the trenches I thought I would die
If you know me then you know how I was
Went all around I was looking for love
Went through the L’s just to get to the dubs
Only get that if I look up above
World tryna hold me down gotta run away
Far from the fame yea I’m tryna dodge LA
Gotta get back to Ya love
Went from the rags to the top
Like He raised Lazarus up
Yea I been raising the stocks, lets go
Why why why why why
Should I waste all my time
Losing my mind
Believe all their lies
Why why why why why
Would I try to rewind
I just hit my prime
I just hit my stride
I can not repeat
Saving up for the yeezys
Problems looking like 3D
Wishing life would be easy
But living ain't easy
Used to be a rookie left D league
John Cena can’t see me
Ask anybody who knew who I was
Feet on the ground but my heads in the clouds
Losing my way didn’t know who to trust
That’s when He touched down and gave me His love
Thank God he showed me who He really was
And I know He wasn’t hiding in the clouds
Chasing me down 99 for the one
Son of a King royalty’s in my blood
Video
Back Then | ELEVATION RHYTHM & Aaron Cole
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on April 1, 2022, as part of the "Growing Pains" album, Elevation Rhythm and Aaron Cole’s "Back Then" offers a powerful narrative of spiritual transformation and unwavering commitment to a new life found in Christ. The song immediately dives into a deeply personal testimony, reflecting on a past self, perhaps marked by pride or a pursuit of worldly acclaim, encapsulated in the evocative line about being "bad Mike Jackson." This phrase quickly sets the stage for a dramatic turning point: "God came and tapped in." This pivotal moment signifies a divine intervention, a calling that shifts the trajectory of life entirely, leading to the repeated, resolute declaration, "I can never go back then." It’s a powerful anthem of spiritual progress, recognizing that the former ways are not merely undesirable but truly inaccessible, for the old self has been crucified with Christ.
The essence of "Back Then" resonates with the biblical truth of becoming a new creation. The psalmist often speaks of God as a "Rock" and a "fortress," a truth mirrored in the lyrics as the speaker declares, "Now I just lean on the Rock." This imagery speaks to an active, daily reliance on God amidst life’s burdens, acknowledged with "Weight on me heavy I look to the light." This struggle reflects the reality of discipleship, a journey that isn’t always easy but is illuminated by God’s presence, echoing John 8:12 where Jesus proclaims, "I am the light of the world." The journey from feeling "in the trenches" and facing despair to finding hope is a familiar testimony for many who have experienced God's grace. It beautifully illustrates God's pursuit of us even when we are lost, a sentiment reinforced by the search for love in all the wrong places before finding it in the Divine. The recognition that "Only get that if I look up above" directly points to God as the sole source of true fulfillment and victory, moving from "L's" (losses) to "dubs" (wins).
The song continues to articulate a clear stance against worldly temptations, specifically the allure of fame and fleeting pleasures often associated with places like "LA." This desire to "run away" from the world's pull and "get back to Ya love" echoes the New Testament's call to not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2) but to be transformed by renewing our minds. The journey from "rags to the top" symbolizes not material gain but spiritual elevation, drawing a direct parallel to the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus (John 11:43-44). This powerful metaphor underscores the idea that God can bring spiritual life to what was once dead, raising individuals from a state of brokenness to a place of purpose and blessing. The rhetorical questions, "Why should I waste all my time / Losing my mind / Believe all their lies?" serve as a poignant reminder to live purposefully, seizing the opportunities given by God, as Paul encourages in Ephesians 5:15-16 to "make the most of every opportunity." The declaration "I just hit my prime / I just hit my stride" powerfully asserts that life with God is not a limitation but an unleashing of one's true potential.
Even while acknowledging that "living ain't easy," the song maintains a triumphant spirit, reflecting a profound shift in identity. The past, characterized by being a "rookie left D league," is contrasted with a newfound strength where the former self is unseen, akin to "John Cena can’t see me." This signifies a complete departure from old ways and a confident embrace of the new self in Christ. The culmination of this journey is beautifully articulated in the lines describing God's intervention: "Ask anybody who knew who I was / That’s when He touched down and gave me His love." This imagery captures the tangible experience of God's presence and saving grace. The song ultimately anchors the listener in a profound sense of belonging and divine identity, affirming that God "wasn't hiding in the clouds" but actively pursuing us. The poignant reference to "Chasing me down 99 for the one" is a clear invocation of the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4-7), a powerful illustration of God’s relentless, personal love for each individual. The final affirmation, "Son of a King royalty’s in my blood," boldly declares the spiritual inheritance and identity of believers as children of God, co-heirs with Christ, a truth celebrated throughout Scripture, notably in Romans 8:17 and 1 Peter 2:9. "Back Then" is more than a song; it's a vibrant testimony, a call to embrace transformation, and a joyful declaration of God’s redeeming love, encouraging all who hear to leave their "back then" behind and step into the fullness of their purpose in Him.