Album: The Beautiful Letdown (2003)

Charted: 17

Get the Sheet Music License This Song 

Comments: 49

• Tommy Hardin from Mcewen, TnBeing a firefighter and emergency medical technician, I noticed the CPR being administered in the video. Is there a connection or reference made from something in your past?
• Michael from Santa Barbara, CaThis is one of the most inspiring pop songs out there, one with the message that God is available to you to help you through your troubles, but that you have to make your own decision to reach out to him, as he doesn't want puppets. It's a rare kind of song, an example of Christian Existentialism.
• Carter from Edmond, OkIt says the song was originally released in 2002 on the Walk to Remember soundtrack, but it was actually on Switchfoot's Learning to Breather album, released in 2000
• Liz from Lexington, KyFor non-believers who posted, you may want to believe this song is not Christian b/c you like it, but the fact is that Switchfoot is an awesome, ministering thru music, Christian band. It is wonderful that they can reach so many people with their positivity and music, but to deny that this is in fact a Christian rooted and inspired song is an attempt to justify yourself for liking this music without recognizing the reason for the everything including this song... Jesus - SALVATION IS HERE!
• Scotie from Seattle, WaMy interpretation is that he is talking about the intensity of God's presence and how at times of God's power and love flooding into your body you can't move at all and in the, "I dare you to move I dare you to move I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor" part that it's God's voice to us saying that to us while we are drowning in his presence.
• Female from Alta Loma , CaIn this song, I feel like singer Jon Foreman, is ecouraging a new believer in Christ or perhaps discipling a friend who has backslid in their faith. I love this song... It reminds me of the forgiveness and unfailing love of Jesus
  ~ Crystal,Alta Loma Ca
• Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnOvercoming obstacles is what this song is about.
• Dave from Caledonia, MnSwitchfoot rules!! My 13-year old son got to sit on the stage of his first concert (which of course was Switchfoot), and Jon Foreman kept givin' him high-fives. I'm sure my son will never forget it!!
• D from Waterloo, IaJames, Arley, AL ur TOTALLY right!! and i also wanna add that this song has a great meaning and it is by one of the best bands ever! this song gets me up when im feeling down.
• Jeff from Casa Grande, AzI listen to this song with unadulterated ears. After reading that this band is "Christian," I have other comments to post. First, this song, I found to be, is rather existential, not so much "Christian," so don't go blowing yur own sails. There are people who "feel" the same things as "Christians?" do, but who are just meak and ordinary folk. And, I really like how the song writer says, "dare." I found it to be more moving that I would have thought. Almost childish, taking me back to simpler times. But, powerful nonetheless. I like it. And, I think, psychologically, this line would be very encourageing to those who need encouraging. Perhaps, even Christians might need this. I dont' know. I'm just a dumb ol' atheist. How could anyone take me serious? God loves us all . . . ? How 'bout u? Christian?
• Cherie from Newcastle , Australiai really feel this song
• Kylie from Ventura, CaThis is a good song. I think that it's meaning is really great, about trying to be the best you can be and all that. I definetly think it dosen't just have to be a religous thing. I'm not religous at all. It can mean something to everyone, whether you're Christian or believe in god or not.
• Mel. from Lindsay, CaSWITCHFOOT TOTALLY ROCKS!!!!! WOOOOO
• Fran from My Foot, NyThis is such a great song, I really do love Switchfoot. It's just such an empowering song and it reminds me a lot of the movie "A Walk to Remember". I'm under the impression, when I hear this song, that it's about finding yourself and standing above the crowd and "daring yourself to move" which is what the main character, Jamie Sullivan, does as well as gives Landon the inner strength to do so.
• Caitlin from Upper Township, NjThis song was my first dance ever with my first serious boyfriend, back when i was a freshmen in highschool. Miss those days, and this song's a nice reminder of my highschool days.
• Jessie from Dallas, TxThis song is great!! Go Switchfoot!!
• Julian from New Jersey,anyone else agree with me that this band is amazing and has such great sound, i view this song as way more of a song to relate to in everyday life rather than faith. "Everybody's watching you now, Everybody waits for you now" makes me think of my girlfriend coming into the room.
• Michelle from Brook Park, MnYeah, it is definately a good song to listen to.
• Chantelle from Shellharbour, Australiathis song is probably one of my all time favourite songs.
  it just makes me wanna get out there and dare myself to move
• Latasha from Austin, Txi luv this song so much!!!
  i luv switchfoot too they motivate me to do better lol
• Nick from Hamilton, New ZealandLove this song,one of the songs that most inspires me to step out despite fears and insecurities. An awesome song, a great encouragement. KIM from SCONE, used to live there what a town!!
• Wendy from Downingtown, PaEven though I'm being hypocritical by typing this ... "Darrell from Eugene" what in the heck does your comment have to do with the song? This is a great song ... and I'm sure you've had a hard life - how about sticking to the music!
• Christina from Houston, TxI always thought it was about this guy telling this girl not to be embarassed at a party...
• Julie from Taylor, TxOne of the best songs ever written. It came off of the movie "A walk to remember." Absolutly beautiful!
• Ghiz from Phoenix, AzThis is my favorite song ever! I'm a christian but I don't think this song speaks strickly from a Christian perspective. When it says, "welcome to the planet" I don't think it's really talking about a specific person or child being born. I think what it's speaking more so about a person who's been on this planet for sometime now and has thought that they have been living in this picture perfect world and they're snapping out of that bubble into reality. It's like, now that you know that it's not all perfect what are you going to do? Even though there's a lot of crap in this world...are you just going to give up and just lay there or sit there or will you get up and do something about how this world is...
• Raymond from Sydney , AustraliaIt sounds like he is taunting an angelic person come to earth to save mankind but surrounded by the great sin of the world. This person could be the stump of jesse who is prophesied to come in Romans 15:1 and Isaiah 11:10. This same person also elijah in malachi and Joshua in Zechariah with his living stone.
• Brad from Knoxville, Tnimagine your in an empty room , theres nothing in that room , nothing to occupy your interest ,nothing to do anything.and if you arent supposed to get your views from parents,friends,the gov't,t.v,or anyone who has ever been around you . . .then were do they come from ? magic pixie land ? say this phrase "5 million individuals" it just doesnt make sense ,my point ,THINK BEFORE YOU TYPE!!!!!!
• Adam from Cape Town, South AfricaAlthough I understand where you guys are coming from, my personal interpretation (I love songs/poetry/art for this exact reason. it's all up to personal interpretation, what does it mean to you... etc.) is that this song is about how in life, from the moment we're born to the moment we die, we're expected (by society none the less) to stand up and be strong, to be model citizens, obey the law etc.
  
  This song dares you be be yourself, to stand out in a crowd and be proud of what you personally believe in, whether you interperate this as sacrificing yourself for your god or to live by an ideology or philosophy that speaks to you, it makes no difference.We've only got one life to live (unless you believe otherwise) so you better make good use of it while you can.
  This song is about finding the YOU under all the crap that parents/friends/school/authority shove down your throat.
• Marc from Zwolle, Netherlandsnice low-paced rock classic. I was insprired by it in a difficult time.
• Darrell from EugeneIn my 64 years, I have hit many, many hard times. I have outlived two wives, I have had quadruple-bypass heart surgery, I have only one kidney, limited lung capacity, eight fingers, many scars, and just about everything else that can happen to me short of a house fire (although I did lose a 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spyder to a fire) or a natural disaster. I want everyone who reads this comment to know that everyone, sooner or later will hit hard times, but maybe not like I have.
• Kim from Scone, Australiai went to the big exo day were switchfoot played. i really enjoyed the song dare you to dream. i think it has a lot of meaning and understanding. i think that every one can undrerstand this song. SWITCHFOOT IS SO AWESOME.
  THIS SONG IS NOT ONLY GOOD BUT ALSO MEANT TO LIVE IS GREAT. I CANT WAIT TO SEE THEM IN CONCERT AGAIN.
• Jailene from K-town, WaDude, nobody take any offense at this, please, cuz I know some people who would be like, "Eww" if they heard this, but I'm Wiccan and I love this song. It's pretty and holds meaning, I think for everyone. I'm a firm believer of the 'Up to your interpretation' thing, so I think anyone can find meaning in this song, Christian or not.
• Simon from Chattanooga , Tnhey guys, you dont have to act all stuck up and say "oh my gosh, this song is christian, so theyre gunna shove God down my throat." just because they love God doesnt mean you cant enjoy the song.
• Adrianna from Bloomington, InI'm not religious in the slightest, but this is a good song no matter what way you take it (religious or in general.) It's nice to hear music that can be both religious or not, and that has an all-around good message.
• Tim from Somewhere In, GaIt is a great song by one of my favorite bands. I interpret it as being inspirational like "don't give up now".
• Kiran from Shelton, Ctanother song my youth band plays. solid. not as powerful as meant to live and kinda slow. but u can really feel something in this song
• Uzoma from Kano, Otherthis song is the best defination of our christain calling.
• Joseph from Woodward, IaFirst, this song was first released in 2000 on learning to breath.
  Any way i think this song is about how it is a struggle for christians to voice their oppinions and act under what they feel is right without violationg a social taboo under stress for political correctness, and this is not easy to do. Standing up isn't easy but some times its all thats left to do.
• James from Arley, AlI think of it has a way of telling God to move in our schools, our jobs, and our lives in general. I listen to this song when I feel alone, although God is always with us. God always loves us.
• Tj from Woodbridge, Vawhen i was at there concert before they played this song he said he wanted to be apart of a generation that does something for this country. so he was sorta daring us to move to do something for this country, something usefull. what a great concert.
• Sapphire from Denver, CoI love Switchfoot! Switchfoot Rocks! God Rocks! Everybody Rocks! I'm going delirious aren't I? Well, bye.
• Becca from Kennebunk, MeI love switchfoot and I first learned about this band and this song at christian camp...
• Jessica from Buffalo, NyI love God. He is my light and my way. I love it when people publically praise Him.
• AnonymousThey would write something that critical. Listen to "Adding to the Noise." They don't have an in your face, angry type of cynicism, but they definetly posses a sense of irony and sarcasm about the way we live our lives. However, they're never given over to the idea that nothing can change. This song is that challenge to themselves and us to change the way things are. It's refreshing. They don't just say what's wrong, they offer up a solution, and the solution is us. (I suspect that implies we're part of the problem also. You can never completely seperate a solution from its problem.)
• Ben from Sydney, AustraliaJohn's right!!
• John from Sydney, AustraliaI disagree with the comment that it's a "pretty basic and easy to understand song". It has more than one level. For example, I believe the line "Everybody's watching you now, Everybody waits for you now" is talking about how if you make mistakes as a christian everybody looks at you and critisises you for your faith. Then there's the "Welcome to the fallout, Welcome to resistance, The tension is here", and I believe that's talking about how hard it is being a christian in the world of today and making subtle comments on the views of non-christains towards christianity. It takes a level of christian understanding to comprehend some of the things that Switchfoot are saying here.
• Chris from Columbus, OhI always thought this song had kind of a sarcastic concept. Sort of in line with Incubus's "Agoraphobia," I thought it was saying with all the things the media tells us is out there that could hurt you, "I dare you to move." Although hearing some of Switchfoot's other stuff, I doubt they would write anything that critical.
• Aj from Cleveland, GaThis song rocks Switchfoot is so awesome!
• Hassan from Nyc, NyIts a nice, and a pretyy basic and easy to understand song,

More Songfacts:

Heart Of GlassBlondie

"Heart of Glass" was Blondie's first foray into disco, which turned off some fans. Debbie Harry said they did it because they "wanted to be uncool."

Pretty HurtsBeyoncé

Sia Furler originally sent "Pretty Hurts" to Katy Perry, but she didn't see the email, so Beyonce ended up recording it instead.

Hunger StrikeTemple of the Dog

"Hunger Strike" by Temple of the Dog features Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder, and was Vedder's first music video.

Soul Bossa NovaQuincy Jones

The Austin Powers theme is "Soul Bossa Nova," written by Quincy Jones in 1962 - the same year the first James Bond movie was released.

Going HomeKenny G

A 1989 track by Kenny G, "Going Home," is the unofficial national closing song in China. The tune is played at the end of train rides, the end of school days, and when malls are about to close.

One WeekBarenaked Ladies

The closing lyrics in "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies are "Birchmount Stadium, home of the Robbie," which refers to a soccer tournament in Ontario.

Editor's Picks

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Song CitiesMusic Quiz

Nirvana, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are among those who wrote songs with cities that show up in this quiz.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Graduation SongsFact or Fiction

Have you got the smarts to know which of these graduation song stories are real?