Purpose for Pain

Album: Space Between the Shadows (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Scott Stapp suffered a meltdown in 2014 as a result of bipolar disorder and drug dependence. He has since been sober and on this bombastic track he looks at his search for his higher meaning during his struggles with addiction and depression.

    There's gotta be more
    'Cause this life is insane
    Gotta turn this around
    And find the purpose for pain


    Stapp explained: "There are unexplainable, dark times that everyone goes through, and that pain is real. If we can dig deep and hold on to hope during the most difficult situations, believing there is a purpose waiting for us on the other side, we can find meaning and clarity that gives us the strength to keep fighting."
  • For Scott Stapp the purpose in his pain was the realization that when he manages to overcome his struggles he can use the experience to help somebody else. The singer explained to iHeartRadio heritage rock station WJRR that what really helped him was changing his mindset to, "You know what? I'm gonna get through this and I'm gonna learn something so I can help somebody else when I get to the other side". That gave the singer enough hope to get him through some of his darkest days, and it ended up becoming this song.
  • Longtime Creed/Stapp collaborator, director Daniel E Catullo III, filmed Stapp's performance at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A Ferre Theater in Puerto Rico for the video. The narrative of "young Scott" escaping from the pain of an abusive home was shot on location in Joshua Tree, California. The singer was portrayed by actor Omar Mughannam.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets

Curt Kirkwood of Meat PuppetsSongwriter Interviews

The (Meat)puppetmaster takes us through songs like "Lake Of Fire" and "Backwater," and talks about performing with Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.