Switchfoot - Head Over Heels (In This Life) Lyrics
Lyrics
Head over here and take me
Head over heels and aching
When I told you I was yours,
I was yours
In this life you're the one place I call home
In this life you're the feeling I belong
In this life you're the flower and the thorn
You're everything that's fair in love and war
I'm coming down like a gun shot
In all these battles that I've fought
You're the mark I'm aiming for
I was yours
In this life you're the one place I call home
In this life you're the feeling I belong
In this life you're the flower and the thorn
You're everything that's fair in love and war
Head over heels
Head over heels
In this life I'm stubborn to the core
In this life I've been burning after more
We both know what these open arms are for
You're everything that's fair
In this life you're my only one
In this life you're my only one
In this life you're my only one
In this life you're my only one
In this life you're the one place I call home
In this life you're the feeling I belong
In this life you're the flower and the thorn
You're everything that's fair in love and war
Video
Switchfoot - Head Over Heels In This Life [Official Audio]
Meaning & Inspiration
Switchfoot released "Head Over Heels (In This Life)" on April 23, 2015, a song that delves deep into the profound nature of unwavering devotion and spiritual belonging. From its opening lines, the track immediately establishes a theme of surrender, portraying a soul willingly given over, a commitment made with a sense of aching vulnerability and absolute certainty. This isn't merely a romantic declaration, but a spiritual one, reflecting the human heart's innate desire for a singular, all-consuming attachment, ultimately pointing towards the divine embrace.
The core message of the song centers on identifying an ultimate home and source of belonging, declaring, "In this life you're the one place I call home / In this life you're the feeling I belong." This resonates powerfully with the scriptural truth found in Psalm 90:1, where the psalmist proclaims, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations." It speaks to the secure, unshakable foundation found in God, where our restless souls find their true peace and identity, echoing Ephesians 2:19 which describes believers as "no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household." This sense of belonging is comprehensive, encompassing both the joys and challenges of existence, as the lyric states, "In this life you're the flower and the thorn / You're everything that's fair in love and war." This acknowledges God's sovereignty over every aspect of life, good or difficult, reminding us of Romans 8:28, which assures us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." Even in hardship, there is a divine fairness and purpose, a truth that grounds us even when circumstances feel tumultuous.
The song further articulates a dedicated pursuit and singular focus, expressing, "I'm coming down like a gunshot / In all these battles that I've fought / You're the mark I'm aiming for." This vivid imagery depicts a life lived with purpose, directed towards a specific, divine target. It brings to mind the Apostle Paul's declaration in Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Our earthly struggles and battles find their meaning and direction when our gaze is fixed on the eternal, as encouraged in Hebrews 12:2, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." This surrender is not a passive act but an active, purposeful orientation of one's entire being towards the divine beloved.
A moment of striking honesty comes with the confession, "In this life I'm stubborn to the core / In this life I've been burning after more." This frank acknowledgment of human imperfection and the restless longing of the spirit underscores our constant need for grace. Despite our inherent stubbornness or insatiable earthly desires, the song affirms the open-armed welcome awaiting us. This beautifully aligns with the invitation of Jesus in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." It highlights the steadfast love of God, which meets us in our weakness and provides what truly satisfies, confirming that "We both know what these open arms are for." The repeated assertion, "In this life you're my only one," is a declaration of singular devotion, mirroring the first commandment to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3) and the ultimate truth revealed in John 14:6, where Jesus states, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This song, therefore, stands as a profound testament to the all-encompassing nature of divine love and the transformative power of a life fully surrendered to it, inspiring those who engage with it to fix their gaze on the one true home.