For the want of a marker
The doctors lost their place
For the want of a cut-line
They couldn't lift his face
For the want of a face lift
His ratings dropped
Then the sitcom folded
Then the network flopped
After the climb
After time turns designs to despair
It is good
Nothing's fair
It's all who you know
For the want of a cough drop
the musher's throat went hoarse
For the want of direction
The huskies went off course
Then the sled got snowbound
It took some time to free'em
Now they're on display
Inside the British Museum
After the climb
After time turns designs to despair
It is good
Nothing's fair
It's all who you know
And after the fall
After all of our strivings are dust
Even so
Good for us
It's all who you know
For the want of a compass
We'd be shuffling charts
For the want of good radar
We'd be glacier parts
For the want of a lighthouse
Can't you see
We'd be lost at sea
Lost at sea
After the climb
After time turns designs to despair
It is good
Nothing's fair
It's all who you know
And after the fall
After all of our strivings are dust
Even so
Good for us
It's all who you know
It's All Who You Know
It's All Who You Know Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Newsboys, long known for their energetic fusion of pop sensibilities and earnest faith, released "It's All Who You Know" on November 13, 2013, offering a compelling take on a familiar phrase. The title itself immediately grabs attention because in our world, "it's all who you know" typically speaks to connections, networking, and leveraging relationships for worldly success or advantage. However, this song masterfully redirects that conventional wisdom towards an infinitely more profound and lasting truth, reminding listeners where true influence, security, and ultimately, eternal life, are found. It’s a powerful declaration that cuts through the noise of worldly striving and points straight to the essential relationship.
The core message of the song is a beautiful subversion of earthly logic. While the world measures success by status, wealth, or valuable contacts, the song insists that these things fade and fail. It gently but firmly asserts that the one connection that truly matters, the one relationship that defines everything and lasts forever, is knowing God through Jesus Christ. This resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of salvation and purpose. We are told in Jeremiah 9:23-24, "Let not the wise boast in their wisdom, nor the mighty boast in their might, nor the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. Newsboys echoes this sentiment, highlighting that the ultimate boast, the ultimate asset, is not what we've achieved or who we know on earth, but knowing the Creator of the universe.
Furthermore, the song beautifully implies that this crucial relationship isn't something we earn through our own merit or connections; it's a gift received through grace. This aligns perfectly with Scripture, particularly Ephesians 2:8-9 which states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." The song moves past the idea that we need to impress God or climb some spiritual ladder, emphasizing instead the access and identity granted purely through connection with Him. Knowing Christ isn't about having the right resume or the perfect track record; it's about receiving the invitation extended through the cross.
The profound significance of this central relationship is further underscored by its eternal implications. In John 17:3, Jesus himself defines eternal life, saying, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." The song taps into this foundational truth, presenting knowing God not just as a helpful connection for life's journey, but as the very essence and definition of eternal hope and destiny. It transforms the idea of "who you know" from being about earthly advantage to being about eternal salvation and belonging. It’s a reminder that while everything else may pass away, the relationship with God through Christ endures forever, offering a security and peace that the world cannot give. Newsboys captures this vital perspective, encouraging listeners to re-evaluate their priorities and place their trust and identity not in fleeting earthly connections, but in the unchanging, life-giving relationship with their Creator and Savior.