Switchfoot - We're Gonna Be Alright Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro
One, two, three
Verse 1
It's okay to fear
It's okay when you feel small
And you're okay right here
It's okay when you feel nothing at all
And it's okay to find out
What you thought you had ain't what you got
And it's okay to doubt
To learn what you think ain't what you thought
Pre-Chorus
And we are always in motion
Like the winds, the tides, the ocean
And every day I'm born again
I wake up, I feel that second wind
Chorus
We're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright
I've seen the look in your eye
We're gonna be alright
I said we're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright
Just take a look at the sky
We're gonna be alright
Verse 2
Oh, it's okay to grieve
It's okay to learn to fall
And it's okay to believe
To admit that you're human after all
And it's okay to heal
All of the scars that are buried deep inside
And it's okay to feel
To say all the things you've been trying to hide
Pre-Chorus
And we are always in motion
Like the winds, the tides, the ocean
And every day I'm born again
I wake up, I feel that second wind
Chorus
We're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright
I've seen the look in your eye
We're gonna be alright
I said we're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright
Just take a look at the sky
We're gonna be alright
Bridge
Lift it up to the ceiling
'Cause we all need that healing
Let's get lost in the feeling, the feeling, the feeling
Lift it up to the ceiling
'Cause we all need that healing
Let's get lost in the feeling, the feeling, the feeling
(Yeah, we're gonna be alright)
Chorus
We're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright
I've seen the look in your eye
We're gonna be alright
I said we're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright
Just take a look at the sky
We're gonna be alright
Outro
We're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright
I've seen the look in your eye
We're gonna be alright
I said we're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright
Just take a look at the sky
We're gonna be alright
Video
WE'RE GONNA BE ALRIGHT
Meaning & Inspiration
Switchfoot, a band consistently exploring the depths of human experience through a lens of enduring faith, unveiled "We're Gonna Be Alright" on January 17, 2019. This song arrives as a comforting embrace in a world often marked by uncertainty, offering a profound message of hope and resilience that speaks directly to the soul’s deepest needs. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to articulate the universal struggles we face, while simultaneously pointing to an unwavering source of strength and solace.
At its heart, "We're Gonna Be Alright" is an anthem of radical acceptance and divine assurance. The initial verses gently acknowledge the raw reality of human vulnerability, declaring it's perfectly fine to grapple with fear, to feel insignificant, or even to doubt what we once held dear. This isn't a call to dismiss these emotions, but to permit their existence as part of the human journey. Such an embrace resonates deeply with the spirit of Scripture, reminding us that even great figures of faith, like David, expressed their fears openly before God (Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you"). The song implicitly offers the quiet wisdom that admitting our struggles is the first step towards finding the power that transcends them, a power not of our own making, mirroring the promise in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. The admission that "what you thought you had ain't what you got" beautifully reflects the transient nature of worldly pursuits and invites a contemplation of where true, lasting security is found, much like Jesus' teachings on storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).
The pre-chorus introduces a powerful metaphor of constant movement and renewal, likening life to "the winds, the tides, the ocean." This imagery speaks to the dynamic, ever-changing nature of our existence, reminding us that even in chaos, there's an underlying rhythm and purpose. The declaration, "every day I'm born again / I wake up, I feel that second wind," carries significant spiritual weight. While "born again" clearly echoes Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus about spiritual rebirth (John 3:3-7), suggesting a daily renewal of spirit and perspective, the "second wind" speaks to a divine infusion of strength when our own fails. This is a vivid picture of God's sustaining grace, echoing Isaiah 40:31, which promises that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, mounting up with wings like eagles. It’s a profound testament to the daily resurrection of hope and energy that faith provides, allowing us to press on despite weariness.
The core message of reassurance pulses through the powerful chorus: "We're gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright." This isn't blind optimism but a deeply rooted conviction, a peace that surpasses understanding, as promised in Philippians 4:6-7. The invitation to "take a look at the sky" elevates our perspective, shifting our gaze from immediate troubles to the vastness of creation and, by extension, to the Creator who orchestrates it all. It’s a visual cue to remember the majesty and faithfulness of God, the One from whom all help comes (Psalm 121:1-2). When the singer states, "I've seen the look in your eye," it acknowledges a shared human experience of struggle and offers a communal comfort, reinforcing that we are not alone in our battles.
Verse two extends this compassionate understanding, explicitly stating that "it's okay to grieve," "to learn to fall," and "to admit that you're human after all." This is a profound affirmation of our created nature, imperfections and all, mirroring Paul's understanding in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 that God's power is made perfect in weakness. It gives permission to acknowledge sorrow, to stumble, and to embrace our limitations, rather than striving for an impossible perfection. The encouragement that "it's okay to heal / All of the scars that are buried deep inside" speaks directly to the divine work of restoration. God is depicted throughout Scripture as the ultimate healer of the brokenhearted and one who binds up wounds (Psalm 147:3). Moreover, the lyrics invite us to "feel / To say all the things you've been trying to hide," encouraging a vulnerable honesty before God and with trusted others, recognizing that confession and transparency are pathways to true healing and freedom, as suggested in James 5:16.
The bridge serves as a communal rallying cry, urging us to "Lift it up to the ceiling / 'Cause we all need that healing." This act of lifting up is a universal posture of prayer and surrender, an invitation to lay our burdens before the One who can carry them. It calls us into a shared space of worship and reliance on divine intervention, acknowledging our collective need for restoration. To "get lost in the feeling" is not merely to succumb to emotion, but to immerse ourselves in the presence of God, to experience the tangible comfort and peace He offers when we surrender our anxieties and sorrows. It’s a call to communal healing and spiritual renewal, a profound reminder that even amidst life's storms, the promise remains steadfast: we are indeed going to be alright, anchored in a hope that is both personal and eternally collective.