Tag Archives: healing

Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me (Official Music Video)

Inspiration Behind Somebody’s Watching Me:

Rockwell addressed the unsettling feeling of being constantly observed or spied on in this age of hidden cameras. Somebody’s Watching Me explores the paranoia and anxiety that can arise from sensing that you are being watched. This song was conceived out of the feeling that you are being watched via surveillance or from the feeling of being judged by society.

Biblical Application:

For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. ²² The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. ²³ For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly, Proverbs 5:21-23.

Exegesis of Somebody’s Watching You:

Pretty, pretty, pretty as a picture
Witty, witty, witty as you can be
Blind ’cause your eyes see only glitter
Closed to the things that make you free
Ever stop to think about a downfall?
Happens at the end of every line
Just when you think you’ve pulled a fast one
Happens to the foolish all the time

A reference to surveillance cameras in most stores you shop in. These tiny devices often go unnoticed or unseen. Those who think they can steal are discovered when the cameras are rewound.

Somebody’s watching you
Somebody’s watching you
Somebody’s watching you
Somebody’s watching you

Somebody is watching you; big brother.

Games are to be played with toys, et cetera
Love is to be made when you’re for real
Ups and downs are caused by life in general
Some are yours no matter how you feel
Shady as a lady in a moustache
Feelings camouflaged by groans and grins
Secrets have a special way about them
Moving to and fro among your friends

A stanza with a series of charades, disguises, and façades to expose fake people. Despite attempts to hide secrets, they will be discovered in your spheres of influences.

Somebody’s watching you
Somebody’s watching you
Somebody’s watching you
Somebody’s watching you

There is always something observing your daily actions.

Live it up today if you want to
Live it down tomorrow afternoon
Sunday school don’t make you cool forever
Neither does the silver of your spoon
The nicer the nice, the higher the price
This is what you pay for what you need
The higher the price, the nicer the nice
Jealous people like to see you bleed

References to growing up. Whether you went to Sunday School as a child or were raised in a loving family, jealous people want to see good people get hurt. Some people pay for friendships leaving a nice environment until betrayal.

Somebody’s watching you
Somebody’s watching you (somebody, somebody’s watching you)
Somebody’s watching you (somebody, somebody, somebody)
Somebody’s watching you (somebody)
Somebody’s watching you (somebody)
Somebody’s watching you (somebody)
Somebody’s watching you (watching you)
Somebody’s watching you (watching you)
Somebody’s watching you (somebody, you)
Somebody’s watching you (somebody, somebody, somebody, somebody)
Somebody’s watching you
Somebody’s watching you

These are the numerous examples and their motives for watching you in life.

Final Thoughts:

Before surveillance cameras, local neighborhoods would keep an eye on children when their parents were out shopping or at work during the summer. I remember taking something from a yard as a kid before an adult caught me. While I felt miserable at the time, this one event taught me not to steal something that wasn’t mine. This is one of the few benefits of surveillance cameras today.

by Jay Mankus

Wishing Well

Inspiration Behind Wishing Well:

Marc Byrd wrote Wishing Well as part of a charitable project called Project Aegis. This song was conceived after completing work on the band’s album Ulterium. Wishing Well reads like a story of a young person navigating life’s complexities. The lyrics express regret and sorrow, seeking forgiveness for the people that he has hurt in his past.

Biblical Application:

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins,” Mark 11:25.

Exegesis of Wishing Well:

Red Rover, come over, pick clovers
Let’s spend a little time away
We’re learning, we’re turning, we’re burning our hands
Playing in the fire today

Childhood game reference. Taking a break from life to have fun and be rejuvenated. The last 2 lines are either a metaphor about playing with fire or growing up in a farming community where weeds are burned.

But please don’t listen
To the lies inside this place
When the monster rears its head out
Just turn and see your face

Be careful not to believe gossip. Perhaps an image of childhood fairy tales about monsters living under your bed or in your closet.

When the sky is torn, the feelings are reborn
Like the passing rain, this moment will fade away
And so I try to find my water all by myself
It’s so dry
I won’t stop to cry

Incoming storms which trigger something from your past. Rain washing away any traces of debris, pollen or trash. Going to the wishing well, unable to find water due to a drought. Hope is fleeting.

Indecision is killing, you’re wishing, you’re dreaming
You’re measly life away
Time is out, time is gone, time is in
Time has come and flown away

Struggling to make a decision. Dreaming of what could be and wishing for something instead of being decisive. Complacency, procrastination and uncertainty is causing life and time to slip away.

But please don’t listen
To the lies inside this place
When the monster sticks its head out
Just turn and slap its face

Ungodly beliefs and untruths that human beings pick up during the course of their life.

When the sky is torn, the feelings are reborn
Like the passing rain, this moment will fade away
And so I try to find my water all by myself
It’s so dry

Metaphors to express wandering around in life to convey a journey of self-discovery

I’m drinking from this wishing well
I’m fleeing from this frozen cell
And I think about the people I’ve hurt in my life
I think about the people I’ve hurt in my life
Forgive me for the people I’ve hurt in my life
Forgive me for the people I hurt

This time of reflection has brought up flashbacks and memories of people that this individual has hurt in the past. Seeking forgiveness and reconciliation.

When the sky is torn, the feelings are reborn
Like the passing rain, this moment will fade away
And cannot find my water all by myself
So I wander
And I wander and wander and wander
All by myself

Illustrating how trial and error helps you confront inner struggles head-on instead of putting off important decisions like previous stanzas.

Final Thoughts:

Life is like a giant jigsaw puzzle. It takes time to find all of the border pieces. Once you start to put together the context, you’ll have a better understanding of what you are searching for. As long as you continue to learn by avoiding complacency, discovering the complexities of life becomes attainable. However, if you never evolve or mature, you’ll be like a wandering child, dreaming and wishing for a bright future.

by Jay Mankus

Inspiration Behind Hold On:

Hold On by Wilson Phillips provides an inside scoop of what was going on behind the scenes of her band. Lead singer Chyanna was battling substance abuse and a difficult relationship. The lyrics of Hold On serves as words of encouragement to hang in there until this tumultuous stage of life ends. The theme of Hold On urges listeners in a similar situation to make a change to avoid falling into a cycle of pain.

Biblical Application:

Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21.

Exegesis of Hold On:

I know there’s pain (I know there’s pain)
Why do you lock yourself up in these chains? (These chains)
No one can change your life except for you
Don’t ever let anyone step all over you

Pain is a natural aspect of life. Yet how you respond to pain will dictate how quickly you recover. You need to take responsibility for your life and stop playing the victim. If you want to change, stop letting others walk all over you.

Just open your heart and your mind
Mmm
Is it really fair to feel, this way inside?
Whoa-oh-oh

If the human heart is your well spring to life, guard your heart as you open your mind to a new future free from pain. Don’t let the past drag you down.

Someday, somebody’s gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then, baby, are you going to let ’em
Hold you down and make you cry?
Don’t you know?
Don’t you know, things can change?
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day?
Things will go your way Hold on for one more day

Change is possible, but your need to develop perseverance to press on. While you are waiting for circumstances in your life to change, hold on for dear life until things start to go your way again.

You could sustain
(Hmm) or are you comfortable with the pain?
You’ve got no one to blame for your unhappiness (no, baby)
You got yourself into your own mess (ooh)

Don’t let pain consume your life. You’ve got to be proactive in breaking free from your current situation. Don’t let these negative patterns continue.

Lettin’ your worries pass you by (lettin’ your worries), baby, (pass you by)
Don’t you think it’s worth your time
To change your mind?
No, no

Doubt and depression are holding Chyanna back. Once her mind believes that change is possible, healing can begin.

Someday, somebody’s gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then, baby, are you going to let ’em
Hold you down and make you cry?
Don’t you know?
Don’t you know, things can change?
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day?
Things will go your way (all things will go your way)
Hold on for one more day

Breaking free from self-destructive patterns can be extremely difficult. Yet until you truly want to change how you are living, you’ll continue down this painful road. Some people just need a spark of hope or a positive influence to usher in a season of change.

I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day
And you break free from the chains
Yeah, I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and you
Break free, break from the chains

I know you are hurting, but you have to hang in there. Press on.

Someday, somebody’s gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye (say goodbye)
Until then, baby, are you going to let ’em
Hold you down and make you cry?
Don’t you know?
Don’t you know (know), things can change? (No?)
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day, yeah
If you hold on
Don’t you know, things can change
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day

Wilson is encouraging Chyanna that she will see light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, for now, hang in there just one more day.

Can you hold on?
Can you hold on?
Mmm, can you hold on, baby
Won’t you tell me now
Hold on for one more day
‘Cause it’s gonna go your way
Don’t you know, things can change
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day, yeah
Can’t you change it this time
Make up your mind
Hold on
Hold on

This final chorus is like a prayer for a good friend. A glimpse of hope is better than the reality of pain and suffering.

Final Thoughts:

As a former youth pastor, teenagers can place themselves into difficult situations similar to Chyanna. All I could do was be an agent for change, providing words of hope. In the end, human beings have to want to change before hope has the opportunity to become a reality.

by Jay Mankus