Inspirations Behind Change:
Change was co‑written by Nathan Chapman, part of Taylor’s second album Fearless. This song is symbolic of Taylor’s initial struggles with the smallest record label in Nashville. Taylor played the role of the underdog early in her career, facing an uphill climb toward her rise to stardom. Writing new songs became a call to action to reach Taylor’s aspirations as an artist.
Biblical Application:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus, Philippians 3:12-14.
Exegesis of Change:
And it’s a sad picture, the final blow hits you
Somebody else gets what you wanted again
You know it’s all the same, another time and place
Repeating history and you’re getting sick of it
The disappointment of someone else getting what you what. The competitor inside of Taylor is tired of playing second fiddle.
But I believe in whatever you do
And I’ll do anything to see it through
Taylor is determined to succeed.
Because these things will change, can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come for us to finally win
And we’ll sing hallelujah
We’ll sing hallelujah, oh
Taylor is either referring to a movement or playing the role of the underdog who will eventually come out on top.
So we’ve been outnumbered, raided and now cornered
It’s hard to fight when the fight ain’t fair
We’re getting stronger now, find things they never found
They might be bigger, but we’re faster and never scared
Being with the smallest record label in Nashville is hard to overcome. Yet Taylor is more determined than ever to reach new heights.
You can walk away, say we don’t need this
But there’s something in your eyes, says we can beat this
The easy thing to do is quit. However, winners never give up with an eye of the tiger mentality.
‘Cause these things will change, can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come for us to finally win
And we’ll sing hallelujah
We’ll sing hallelujah, oh
Taylor reached a point in her life that she believed success was within reach. The underdog will start a new revolution.
Tonight we’ll stand, get off our knees
Fight for what we’ve worked for all these years
And the battle was long, it’s the fight of our lives
But we’ll stand up, champions tonight
Perhaps a suggestion that after praying, we stand tonight to celebrate. All the hard work has finally paid off. Standing together as a team or for a specific cause.
It was the night things changed, can you see it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back fell down
It’s a revolution, throw your hands up ’cause we never gave in
And we’ll sing hallelujah
We sang hallelujah
Hallelujah
Looking back, this was the night, performance, that everything changed. The obstacles that held us back have been removed. This is why we celebrate as if praising God in church.
Final Thoughts:
There have been many defining moments in my own life. Giving my first sermon in Friendship, Maryland, getting married, having 3 children and blessed with many athletic achievements. Yet the friendships in high school, college and while in youth ministry have touched my life. All I can do is to continue to press on, looking ahead to the future to see where God can use me. As I struggle with the present, I look forward to spiritual victories in the future.
At the end of the summer, there were years that I was eager to return to school. There were certain people that I wanted to touch base with, reunite and work out together as fall practices began. Subsequently, the final week of August will feature songs that encourage, inspire and motivate individuals to change for the better.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 