Tag Archives: love

Eagles – Take it Easy (Official Audio)

Inspiration Behind Take It Easy:

The lyrics to Take It Easy is a blend from roadside Americana, friendships from Los Angeles, and personal experiences. Jackson Browne began writing Take It Easy in 1971, drawing on the restless traveling of a touring musician. With so much going on around you, sometimes getting on stage helps you slow down, forgetting about your problems until the concert is over. Browning’s neighbor and future Eagles bandmate Glenn Frey listened to Jackson’s original version and helped complete the unfinished verse.

Biblical Application:

“All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, John 14:25-27.

Exegesis of Take It Easy:

Well, I’m running down the road
Tryin’ to loosen my load
I’ve got seven women on my mind
Four that wanna own me
Two that wanna stone me
One says she’s a friend of mine

Jackson is going for a drive, trying to relax. Four women want to settle down, 2 hate him and another is a friend.

Take it easy
Take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels
Drive you crazy

Relax. Don’t let all the distractions in life wear you down.

Lighten up while you still can
Don’t even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
And take it easy

Don’t hold on to anxieties, burdens and concerns. Find a place to make your stand so you can relax.

Well, I’m standing on a corner
In Winslow, Arizona
And such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me
Come on, baby, don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love
Is gonna save me

Jackson is now hitchhiking, enjoying the scenery. An attractive woman in a truck slows down. He’s hoping she picks him up, saving him from the misery of his past.

We may lose, and we may win
Though we will never be here again
So open up, I’m climbin’ in
So take it easy

As she stops to give him a ride, he’s not sure of the outcome. But he’s chilling, accepting whatever happens.

Well, I’m running down the road
Trying to loosen my load
Got a world of trouble on my mind
Lookin’ for a lover
Who won’t blow my cover
She’s so hard to find

Jackson’s back to where he was in the beginning. He is looking for a relationship but with someone who doesn’t know he is a famous musician.

Take it easy
Take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels
Make you crazy

The lyrics are a message to Jackson, a call to relax. Don’t let your current situation make you crazy.

Come on, baby, don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love
Is gonna save me

Jackson is looking for a commitment.

Oh, we got it easy
We oughta take it easy

Compared to others working 9-5, we’ve got it easy.

Final Thoughts:

As someone who was an emotional wreck in my teenage years, I needed to hear this message to relax. I took things too seriously until college. Once I matured, I was able to relieve my anxieties, burdens and concerns. Now as an adult, Take It Easy is still a good message to live by. When your life is spiraling out of control, take it easy!

by Jay Mankus

3 Doors Down – Here Without You (Official Music Video)

Inspiration Behind Here Without You:

Here Without You was spawn from the personal experiences of Brad Arnold. After being separated from his wife, Brad composed a ballad about being apart from and missing someone. The lyrics of Here Without You convey loneliness as well as a sense of comfort and peace to tarry on without this individual. You could say that this Three Doors Down song is a modern version of Journey’s Separate Ways, expressing a similar sentiment.

Biblical Application:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose, Philippians 2:12-13.

Exegesis of Here Without You:

A hundred days that made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don’t think I can look at this the same

More than 3 months have passed since Brad has been with his former lover. Brad spent plenty of time deep in thought, as well as justifications and untruths to ease his pain. This time away has changed his perception.

But all the miles that separate
They disappear now when I’m dreaming of your face

Bard is referring to the deep soul ties that he shared with this woman, unable to get her face out of his mind.

I’m here without you, baby, but you’re still on my lonely mind
I think about you, baby, and I dream about you all the time
I’m here without you, baby, but you’re still with me in my dreams
And tonight, it’s only you and me, yeah

The chorus begins with a harsh reality, it’s hard to let go of her. A day doesn’t go by without a simple reminder of what they shared together. Brad still hasn’t gotten used to her not being part of his life.

The miles just keep rolling
As the people leave their way to say hello
I’ve heard this life is overrated
But I hope that it gets better as we go, oh, yeah, yeah

Perhaps a reference that with each day apart, their relationship is becoming more distant. When couples first break up, there is an awkwardness to say hello. Meanwhile, being single again for Brad is not what he expected. Despite this transition, Brad hopes that it gets easier to heal in the future.

I’m here without you, baby, but you’re still on my lonely mind
I think about you, baby, and I dream about you all the time
I’m here without you, baby, but you’re still with me in my dreams
And tonight, girl, it’s only you and me

This life without each other is taking Brad longer than expected to heal his lonely heart. Perhaps, the final 2 lines serve as an olive branch, a chance for reconciliation.

Everything I know (yeah), and anywhere I go, oh (yeah)
It gets hard, but it won’t take away my love (yeah, yeah)
And when the last one falls, when it’s all said and done (oh)
It gets hard, but it won’t take away my love
Oh, oh

Just because our relationship ended, I still have a special place for you in my heart. Once the healing process has come to an end, Brad won’t forget all the special moments that they shared together.

I’m here without you, baby, but you’re still on my lonely mind
I think about you, baby, and I dream about you all the time
I’m here without you, baby, but you’re still with me in my dreams
And tonight, girl, it’s only you and me

This woman was too special to forget right away. Letting go will take time.

Yeah, oh, yeah
Oh, oh

Brad is not ready for a new relationship as she is still always on his mind.

Final Thoughts:

Every relationship is just one bad choice away from being rocked to its core. Sometimes it’s a moment of lust or weakness that implants sinful thoughts within your mind. Unless you practice taking your thoughts captive, these evil thoughts will eventually be acted upon. Subsequently. if you want to preserve the special relationship that you currently have, become deeply rooted in Christ Jesus, Colossians 2:6-7.

by Jay Mankus

Summer Nights | Grease | CLIP

Summer Nights was written in 1971 by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey for the stage musical Grease. However, when John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John adapted Summer Nights to the movie version of this musical, this song reached its peak in popularity. The lyrics appeal to any teenager who experiences a summer romance. While the summer always ends. fond memories of this relationship may last a lifetime. The lyrics speak to being true to yourself instead of trying to become the person that your significant other wants you to be.

Biblical Application:

Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. ¹⁹ A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. ²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm, Proverbs 13:18-20.

Exegesis of Summer Nights:

Summer loving had me a blast
Summer loving happened so fast
I met a girl crazy for me
Met a boy cute as can be

A quick summer of how having fun, led to a summer romance.

Summer days drifting away
To-ah! Oh, the summer nights
Well-a, well-a, well-a, huh

We spent day and night together.

Tell me more, tell me more
Did you get very far?
Tell me more, tell me more
Like does he have a car?

The stanza illustrates the difference between how boys and girls think.

Uh huh (doo doo)
Uh huh (doo doo)
Uh huh (doo doo doo doo doo)

Harmony that serves as a transition.

She swam by me, she got a cramp
He ran by me, got my suit damp
I saved her life, she nearly drowned
He showed off, splashing around

Another quick summary, this time how they met each other.

Summer sun, something’s begun
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Well-a, well-a, well-a, huh

Suggests that one thing led to another.

Tell me more, tell me more
Was it love at first sight?
Tell me more, tell me more
Did she put a fight?

Friends wanting to know the details of this summer romance.

Dow, doobie do, doobie do
Doobie, doobie, doobie
Dow, doobie do, doobie do
Doobie, doobie, doobie, dow

Another transition using a play on words.

Took her bowling in the Arcade
We went strolling, drank lemonade
We made out under the dock
We stayed up ’til ten o’clock
Summer fling, don’t mean a thing
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Whoa, whoa, whoa

Highlights leading up to their first kiss. This fling kept going all summer long.

Tell me more, tell me more
But you don’t gotta brag
Tell me more, tell me more
‘Cause he sounds like a drag

Peer pressure from friends, wanting to know more, but not convinced this was serious.

Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, shoo bop bop
Shoo bop bop, yeah!

Another musical transition.

He got friendly, holding my hand
Well, she got friendly down in the sand
He was sweet, just turned eighteen
Well, she was good, you know what I mean

Sharing discreet information, unsure of how much more to reveal.

Summer heat, boy and girl meet
But ah! Oh, the summer nights
Whoa, whoa, whoa

Suggesting that play on the beach turned into something more at night.

Tell me more, tell me more
How much dough did he spend?
Tell me more, tell me more
Could she get me a friend?

A superficial question followed by selfish desires, maybe she has a cute friend?

It turned colder, that’s where it ends
So I told her we’d still be friends
Then we made our true love vow
Wonder what she’s doing now

The abrupt end, typical compromise followed by desperate vow. Each wonder how the other is doing.

Summer dreams ripped at the seams
But, oh
Those summer
Nights!
(Tell me more, tell me more, more, more)

The disappointing conclusion to a summer relationship.

Final Thoughts:

I didn’t really have any summer relationships until the end of high school. I met a girl from Maryland with my best friend Carl who stayed with my family that week. Every day we went swimming, threw a frisbee and played volleyball. After meeting these 2 nice gals, they began to impress us by saying they smoked, using slang from their hometown. Sometimes people try too hard to be liked instead of being themselves. If human beings would simply be true to who they are, some summer romances might have continued. Yet, each time I watch Grease the musical, I am reminded to be myself, hold firm to my beliefs and let the chips fall where they may.

by Jay Mankus

Good Charlotte – The Anthem (Official Video)

Inspiration Behind the Anthem:

Joel and Benji Madden along with help from John Feldmann wrote a song rejecting the conventional path of going to college so that you can acquire a steady job. While the Anthem was initially designed to be part of a soundtrack, this was released as a standalone single from the 2002 album the Young and the Hopeless. However, 3 years later the Anthem was part of the film The Pacifier, played during a driver’s test.

Biblical Application:

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:3-7.

Exegesis of the Anthem:

It’s a new day, but it all feels old
It’s a good life, that’s what I’m told
But everything, it all just feels the same

Band member’s question the status quo, believing that modern education is not what it was created to be.

At my high school, it felt more to me
Like a jail cell, a penitentiary
My time spent there only made me see

As a former teacher, some people do better in vocational schools where you learn to trade, avoiding college debt.

That I don’t ever wanna be like you
I don’t wanna do the things you do
I’m never gonna hear the words you say
And I don’t ever wanna

Joel and Benji went to create their own path in life, seeking to go against the flow.

I don’t ever wanna be you
Don’t wanna be just like you
What I’m sayin’ is, this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You, don’t wanna be you

This anthem is a call for change.

Go to college or university
Get a real job, that’s what they said to me
But I could never live the way they want

College isn’t what it used to be. Going into debt doesn’t make sense if you don’t know what you want to do with your life.

I’m gonna get by and just do my time
Out of step, while they all get in line
I’m just a minor threat, so pay no mind

This stanza reminds me of a scene from Dead Poets Society, a lesson on conforming to the social norms in life.

Do you really wanna be like them
Do you really wanna be another trend
Do you wanna be part of their drill
‘Cause I don’t ever wanna

A call to think independently, think for yourself.

I don’t ever wanna be you
Don’t wanna be just like you
What I’m sayin’ is, this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You, don’t wanna be you

Seek to blaze a new trail and path in life.

Shake it once, that’s fine
Shake it twice, that’s okay
Shake it three times, you’re playing with yourself again

A call to join this anthem.

You, don’t wanna be just like you
What I’m sayin’ is, this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
Y’all got to feel me, sing if you’re with me

You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.

You, don’t wanna be just like you (be just like you)
This is the anthem throw all your hands up
Y’all got to feel me, sing if you’re with me

Be a visionary to charter a new way through life.

Another loser anthem (whoa)
Another loser anthem (whoa)
Another loser anthem (whoa)
Another loser anthem

Either the band is dissing their own song, or their anthem isn’t making an impact on their listeners.

Final Thoughts:

It wasn’t until college that I began to rethink why things are the way that they are. Why I wasn’t a rebel, I just started to follow my convictions instead of the social norms of college. I started to re-evaluate my life, figure out what I truly believed and began to learn what it means to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. This is the anthem that I have learned to live by, based upon Proverbs 3:5-6.

by Jay Mankus