All or Nothing at All

Album: Fading West (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Switchfoot singer Jon Foreman reflected on the song's meaning during a track-by-track on the Land Of Broken Hearts website: "The fault lines in our world run deep," he said. "They run through our nation, our communities, and our marriages. Even deep within me, I carry my own contradictions. And I'm not the only one. We are flawed, hurting, creatures capable of incredible love and shocking cruelty. From time to time this dividing chaos threatens to shake the very things that we hold dear."

    "But to love is to risk," Foreman continued. "Love is vulnerability. For me, the song 'All or Nothing' is a song about acceptance. Accepting the broken hearts, accepting the fatal flaws. Accepting that we haven't gotten it right just yet- but moving forward anyways. The ultimatum 'all or nothing' is a song about loving all in spite of whatever pain or potential risks may lie ahead."
  • Jon Foreman (from a Spotify track-by-track): "I'm kind of an all or nothing guy… you know I think there's elements in life that require that kind of commitment you know… relationships certainly are one of those for me… where you gotta be all in. So that's what this song is singing to."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.