Dark Horses is still performing well on the radio charts. It’s #23 today on Alternative radio! Keep calling and requesting guys – check out the radio request page right over HERE – thanks for supporting the single guys!
Hey CA fans! Fiction Family is coming your way tomorrow night:
Any LOBHers going? Have a great time and take lots of photos and videos! I wonder if they’ll play anything new?
Switchfoot’s newest CD hasn’t even been released yet and already the songs are making their way into the movies! Daniel wrote in to let us know that “The War Inside” is being used in the trailer for the new movie “In Time”! Check it out below – the music kicks in at 1:20 and the vocals at 1:44 – this is a REALLY awesome feature, especially since it’s such a high-profile movie.
AudioInkRadio.com posted a review on Switchfoot’s lead single, “Dark Horses”:
“Dark Horses” opens with heavy guitars, before quieting down for lead singer Jon Foreman’s soulful crooning: “I’ve made my mistakes / I’ve seen my heart cave in / I got my scars…”
As the chorus bursts into play, the Foreman and the guys chant the galvanizing words, “Hey, you can’t count us out / We’ve been running up against the crowd / Yeah, we are the dark horses / We’re singing…” and the track takes on a sing-along, pop feel, with mounting melodies.
Musically, the track is melodic and catchy, and it’s undoubtedly a rock anthem, with thick, chomping guitars, thumping drums and Foreman’s heartfelt singing. If Switchfoot fans are looking for a well-crafted hit in the vein of “We Were Meant to Live,” they’ve got it with “Dark Horses.”
Read the full post HERE!
Talented musician Zach Williams was recently interviewed by Noisetrade and he had some glowing things to say about Jon (Thanks Rachel!):
NT: Your talents have allowed you the good fortune of playing with folks like Ben Folds, Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), The Civil Wars and Stephen Christian (Anberlin). What does it mean for a relatively new artist to be able to share their audiences and hopefully get to pick their brain a little bit?
Zach: Playing shows with folks is a funny thing. Both musicians will politely chat back stage while both are completely gearing up mentally and emotionally for the task at hand. One night when I was out with Ben Folds I had a couple good buddies road trip down to the show. We snuck through some secret troll door back stage and ended up in the rafters hanging above Ben and the 16 ft piano. By this time I had played 10 shows with him. That night, Ben came alive. He connected with that crowd and found himself jumping up and down on the top of the rented piano screaming his lungs out without the microphone. It was all I needed to hear. Whoever is talking to Foreman, whether it be his wife, his friend, a fan or a stranger asking for directions, they have his complete attention until they are done talking. It’s remarkable. It was such a challenge to me as a human being to watch him be dead tired, sweating head to toe and a fan caught his ear right off the stage and told him his complete life story. Foreman listens. It’s such a beautiful thing to watch. I’ve had the honor of watching The Civil Wars take off. Their humility and meekness is something my own Mother wrote down in her Moleskine.
We’re less than a month away from the release of Vice Verses and we’re seeing more and more reviews coming out! Here’s a review by The Sound Opinion blog - read an excerpt below and the full post HERE:
A pair of songs is a bit darker. “Thrive” declares, “No, I’m not alright. I know that I’m not right,” and focuses more on the basic desire for something better than in confident hope that it’s out there. And then there’s the title track, a downright depressing song that confesses emptiness before asking some difficult global questions: “Where is God in the earthquake? Where is God in the genocide?” It reads like one of those Psalms that finds David complaining more than praising. In reality, these sentiments are real and honest and probably too often missing from Christian music. Fortunately, they’re not left here in isolation, apart from any of those aforementioned glimpses of joy. In fact, although it’s a clever play on words, “Vice Verses” the song is not particularly representative of the mood ofVice Verses the album.
All told, this is a brilliant album, and Switchfoot is further establishing its place as one of modern rock’s best bands. Jon Foreman’s voice is solid, and he continues to surprise me with his startling vocal range. There are tantalizing images throughout the lyrics: a “blood and nicotine sky”, the “dried up doubt in eyes looking for the well that won’t run dry”, and a scene completely painted in two short lines, “Walking along the high tide line, watching the Pacific from the sidelines.” And then there’s Foreman’s unique way of phrasing theological concepts: “But I’m not sentimental / This skin and bones is a rental / And no one makes it out alive”.
So here’s a case where sticking to formula would have been a misstep. It’s clear from their last two albums that Switchfoot continues to grow and stretch. They’re comfortable in their own studio, comfortable enough to take risks (just give one listen to “Selling the News”), and smart enough that those risks pay off abundantly.
No negative reviews so far… good thing! (Thanks for the tip Wesley!)
Drew and Jon have wrapped up their radio tour, but we still have a few photographic moments to share with you! Here’s a set of photos from their show at JILLIAN’S for Rock 93.5:
View the full set HERE!
Here are some shots from their show at 99x in Atlanta, courtesy of Ted and Zach, plus a brief review of the show, also courtesy of Zach!
They started off with Meant To Live. The usual “glad to be here”s were said then they played The Sound. I gotta say, it was incredible. Jon was just mute strumming (like in Oh Gravity) and Drew was playing the actually part with some added bits as well, super cool. Love how they can change the mood of a song.
After that questions were asked. They asked Jon what he likes to do on his down time, of course he said surfing. Then they asked besides that, which Jon replied “I build surf boards.” Surfing came up at least 10 times which was really funny because they were trying not to talk about it. Jon mention VV probably didn’t take long enough to make, it felt really fast to him.
They asked what the song Dark Horses was about, stand up for kids and Jon said to bring back packs for this next tour for the kid s to use. They asked if Tim/Jon ever fight. Drew answered: “They were surfing and they were fighting over waves. Blows were exchanged. That’s actually what Dark Horses is about.” Everyone was laughing.
Found out that Jon doesn’t have his iPhone locked either cause one of the djs was messing with it and got freaked out cause it slid open. Then they played Dark Horses. Better than the sound, so dark and a completely different emotion than the studio version. Everyone was talking about that song after it was over. Next was Vice Verses. Also great, changed up some chords a little bit and Drew noodled, very nice.
DYTM was last then they stayed and took pictures and signed some tiny lithographs. Super nice as always and just a great experience. Dark Horses was definitely the highlight. Talked to Drew and he said he wants to record an acoustic version, told him a LOT of people would be okay with that.
^ We second that! An acoustic recording of Dark Horses would be epic.
Photo Credit: Ted
Photo Credit: Ted
Photo Credit: Zach
Photo Credit: Zach
View the full sets HERE and HERE.
More? The official 99x website posted photos and videos – here’s a video of Dark Horses, but click HERE to see more!:
They also posted photos of the show HERE – click that link to view the full set and view my favorites below.
Photo Credit: 99x
Photo Credit: 99x
Photos of the M&G were uploaded online as well. View the full set HERE.
Photo Credit: 99x
Photo Credit: 99x
Photo Credit: 99x
DISCUSSION POINT: It’s time for our Monday Comes Around Song Discussion! This week we’re going to discuss… Golden (Nothing is Sound)! Since we named this site after one of the lines in Golden, it seems only fitting that we discuss it this week – as our five year anniversary is happening Thursday! So here’s Jon’s song story for the tune:
We are lonely souls in the land of broken hearts, far from home but this is where the story begins. And yes, you are the protagonist, you are the hero and the villain, the prince and the pauper and the clown all in one. So where do things head from here? Well, that’s your call… I remember Drew laying down his line over top of the verses, this mellow, ethereal roof over top of the song.
What’s your opinion on the song? I know I always wished this song had been around when I was in my early/mid teenage years… does the message mean anything special to you? Are there any lines that you ponder on/question? “So this final verse is a contradiction, and the more we learn, the less we know, we’ve been talking about the feeling we both know inside but couldn’t find the words, I couldn’t write this verse, I’ve seldom been so sure about anything before” have always stood out to me… and even confuse me. Share in the comments below!
WOW! That movie preview with the War Inside is so AWESOME!! When the lyrics kicked in I got goosebumps no joke!
Really enjoyed the articles too, what song does “Blood and Nicotine sky” come from?
And the guys TOTALLY should record DH’s acoustic, i’d buy it.
Rise Above It!
What song is ” ButI’m not sentimental, this skin and bones is just a rental” from? I remember the guy’s tweeting that line a while back, and then seeing in that article, i remembered it
Where I Belong – which is, in my opinion, one of the best SF songs ever
I had a suspicion it was Where I Belong… Its definitely a pretty epic line, can’t wait to hear it in the song.
I’m definitely pumped up for that song. Probably my most anticipated song on the record. A 7 minute Switchfoot song has got to be pretty amazing. And I really have no idea what to expect. I heard the youtube clip back when it first came out, but i can’t really remember it that well. So its going to be pretty much all new to me. Its gonna be fun! I can’t wait to read the review you and Job have for it too. I’m really curious to hear what you guys think!
This pleases me!! Im so counting on that song! I NEED it to be good!
Wooaaahh it’s soo cool to hear The Was Inside in the trailer!!!
And did y’all hear what that woman says at 2:02… “I’m not Meant To Live forever.” Well that’s just me, I just relate all the things I hear or see to Switchfoot, lol
War, not Was…
The War Inside definitely HAS to be a single.
Agreed. I’m thinking it will be.
I know, It’s SO catchy. I have a feeling it would do REALLY well.
I love “Golden”!…..the ending especially when Jon says “This final verse is a contradiction, cause the more learn, the less we know….” such an amazing line, it really got me thinking the first time that i heard it.
Can’t believe that it is here already!
ahhhhh! I really wanna watch the trailer, but don’t want to spoil the album experience…..so far I have only caved in on DH and that is the one which the guys released for purchasing. I’m gonna stick it out and wait to watch the trailer since we are now less than a month til VV releases!
same way dude! I watched up until 1:20 and the movie look really cool. I’ll go back and watch it when the song comes out but it’s so tempting!
The War Inside sounds great! Though i’m not sure if it was the trailer or not, but the vocals during the chorus sounded like they were kind of auto-tuned… is that the case?
Golden. Incredible song. Its not Switchfoot’s best song musically, but those lyrics are powerful. I think this song should be played in high school’s everywhere, because I believe it would change the lives of many kids. Older folks as well, yes, but especially the younger generation, when you probably question life and choices a little bit more. I know it got me through some rough times in my life. Some may call it a song thats been written before, just another one about being yourself or something— but its so much more than that. Its written as an answer to a cry, a cry that so many people can relate to. Its a cry thats been my life before, and many lines in this have touched me considerably, and helped me a lot. This one line is especially meaningful to me:
“You’ve been hiding in the bedroom, Hoping this isn’t how the story has to go, It’s not the way it goes, it’s your book now”
That sums it all up… I’ve done this so many times myself. Literally. In my bedroom, praying and hoping that my life, or my “story”, doesn’t keep down this road… that it can change. I still do this sometimes. And I remember this song, and remember that it doesn’t have to go like this. Its my life, my story, and I’ll make the right choices. You are golden, child. Don’t let go tonight.
I believe it was more of a voice effect than autotuning. Reminded me of like a megaphone, but very subtle.
The movie reminds me of a line from “Resurrect Me” – “And there’s no price that I haven’t paid to get some relief”.
Golden is easily one of my favorite Switchfoot songs.
First! hehe… well! Is that how The War Inside sounds on the album Jeanna??
Dude not cool… i refreshed the page and there were no comments then I post one and BAM theyre all there… sad day for me
Pretty much! I think they maybe added a few things in the trailer to the beginning music, but the rest is right
Thats what i thought… the beginning doesnt sound quite the way I remember from the 6 song sample but the rest seemed fine… did they keep the big drum finish at the end of the song Jeanna? Cuz that MADE the song in my opinion!
no, that’s just in the live versions! much like the cymbal bashing in DSH
I coulda swore y’all named the site after Rebuild… anyways, Jeanna would you compare Where I Belong to This is Home like the reviewer? Cause that was my initial thought too when I heard about it
When I first heard the youtube clip of the song, I thought the same thing… but now after having heard the full studio song repeatedly, no, I DEFINITELY wouldn’t. For one, Jon wasn’t the only one who wrote This Is Home and that really shows through – two disney writers wrote the song with him. Where I Belong is so much better than this is home – lyrically, musically, emotionally… in every aspect
ah I dunno about that.. I’m sure it’s good, but This is Home is my all time favorite. It’d have to be pretty good to top it
I thought that only the version of This Is Home that appears in the Narnia movie (‘Every breath is magic’) was co-written by the Disney people. I thought the version on The Best Yet was the song as originally written by Jon. I could be wrong, though.
Nope! Not to my memory anyway… I’ll have to check the credits!
I believe its the other way around.
“Every Breath is Magic” (the credits version) was completely Jon’s work, and then Disney said they didn’t fully like it, so they had Adam Watts & Andy Dodd (Disney writers) rewrite it with him, and those are the lyrics you hear on “The Best Yet” and any soundtrack for “Prince Caspian”.
I can’t remember… I know it was confusing, because Jon’s ORIGINAL demo was called “Heading Home” – it’s actually my favorite version of the song
Golden means a lot to me! The acoustics of this song are breathtaking! This song has just been so encouraging to me to never let go, no matter what this world does to get you down, and to never stop being who you are and fighting for what you believe in. I love the ending when Jon is layering over the chorus. “This world is a dead man down, every breath in a fading crown we wear like some debilatated king. The world spins and the moon goes round, the green comes from the frozen ground and everything will be made new again, like freedom in spring.” Those lines really speak to me.
I love Golden, its probably one of my favorite songs. I remember listening to it in 7th grade when I was like, 12, going from elementary school to junior high. It always meant a lot to me because I’m really negative about myself, and that songs really comforting to me. Ironically, I discovered Switchfoot through my brother, who now hates Switchfoot, lol. The first CD I heard by them was Nothing Is Sound, it was pretty much all I had to listen to, its probably one of my favorites by them.
that’s so sad he hates SF now
change his mind!!
I’m 15 now, forgot to mention that..
Happy Birthday!
(Or maybe it’s Gracie who said they were 14). I’m old, we forget things
lol, my birthday is January 26
I’m 12 actually, almost 13!
Ohhhhhhh What if other version of Dark Horses is acoustic and not original version?! That would be so fantastic! I remember in an interview Jon saying that they’d probably release original version for people who want it and I was like duh it’s on deluxe.
“dried up doubt in eyes looking for the well that won’t run dry” those aren’t the right lyrics right?
I was pretty sure it was “dried up doubting eyes”, and I checked, sure enough thats the case.
Golden is my favorite song from NIS, My favorite line is “You’ve been hiding in the bedroom, Hoping this isn’t how the story has to go It’s not the way it goes, it’s your book now,” It’s probably my favorite line in any song. In fact all the lyrics in the song are phenomenal. I’m having a hard time just picking one other line to quote. I love how the song talks about itself. but my next favorite line would have to be “The green comes from the frozen ground, And everything will be made new again, Like freedom in spring,” Looking back at my song writing i can see that i draw a lot of inspiration from this song. Like Jon I use Spring as a starting over point.Particularly in a song i wrote called “Somewhere Between Fall and Spring” I have a line that goes “I’m letting you go, I’m trying to grow Get up! Get out of the snow Through the white I see some green Somewhere between fall and spring”. the full lyrics to my song are here if you’re curious, and please do. http://cody-warren.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d420le5
Wow. Your song is very cool! I really, REALLY like it!!
nice! I really dig the 1st verse!
Thanks guys that means a lot
Golden is definatly one of my favorite Switchfoot songs! I love everything about it, the music, the lyrics. The first time I heard the chorus I actually started crying, it’s rather simple, not very long, but it’s so powerful! Using the word “golden”… I don’t know, there’s just something really cool about using that word instead of all the other words people usally use when writing a song like this. I would say my favorite lyrics are “You’re a lonely soul in a land of broken hearts, your far from home is a perfect place to start”. Just the imagery in that is so powerful and so true! And I also thought it was very cool when I learned that this websites name was taken from this song! And I could go on and on about all my favorite parts of this song cause I like them all! They all fit in some how with my life!
But I think right now this song has been on my mind a lot lately because I have two friends who are really struggling with self-image and depression right now. They have also both been suicidal in the past and I’m very worried for them. I wish they could see that they’re “golden”… Hmm….Maybe I’ll show them this song!
I downloaded the mp3 from the Dark Horses video and I noticed it’s pretty near if not on par with studio quality recordings. So, in a way, we already have a “studio” acoustic version
Amazing i cannot wait to see LIVE in Belo Horizonte Brazil!
We love u Switchfoot! thanks for ever be who you are!
I was not expecting that techo beat comin’ on in the trailer…. WOW!!!!! Now I am really, really, really pumped about VICE VERSES!!!!!!!!!! BRING IT ON!!!!!!!
Hey Jenna, how early are the ViceVerses Twitter winners given the cd? Can’t wait!!
One week before!
Ok, I’ve been a lurker for quite some time, but I’m going to emerge now…
Golden is my favorite song. Ever. It’s amazing. I love the lyrics so much! Especially the Contradiction verse. It’s like he states it’s a contradiction, everything after it contradicts, but at the same time, it all makes sense…which is a contradiction. At least, that’s how I viewed it. I could be terribly off.
And Jeanna, this is an amazing site! Thank you so much!!
Welcome! I hope you’ll de-lurk more often!
i saw what song was the Monday Comes Around topic, so i decided to listen to it a couple times and NiS all the way through…
i love the lyrics and imagery of Golden. everyone at some point in their life has felt like a lonely soul in the land of broken hearts.
the sound/music of it, doesn’t thrill me too much. i feel its too polished and overproduced (along with many songs from NiS in my opinion). it would be cool to hear a stripped down more acoustic style version. and i think the song order of Golden and Setting Sun should have been swapped.
my fav line is The green comes from the frozen ground/and everything will be made new again/like freedom in the spring.
Is there a listing of people’s winning #viceverses ?
Golden was one of my first favorite sf songs! I love timmys harmony in the song too. Some of the lyrics confuse me to this day still (especially toward the end of the song) but i luv the lyrics anyway lol
I’m so happy for Switchfoot to be able to hear their songs in hit TV series or movies throughout the years. They deserve it so much!
“Golden” is also one of my favorite Switchfoot songs. I particularly fell inlove with the song through these verses: “You’re a lonely soul in a land of broken hearts
You’re far from home, it’s a perfect place to start” and “So this final verse is a contradiction, And the more we learn the less we know.” I can still relate to it until now.
And Dark Horses must have an acoustic version! Drew’s strums are amazing. It gives the song a different relaxing feel.
Favorite verse too!
“The more we learn, the less we know.”
Very very very clever! I love LOBH! <3
Oh goodness. Golden is one of my all time favorite songs (Up there with Faust and Shadows). It means so much to me. It reminds me of being thirteen again, you know, that point in your life where suddenly everything is sooo confusing, and people who used to be your best friends now hate you. I bet I listened to this song a hundred times when I was thirteen, it was such an encouraging song for that time in my life. It will always hold a special place in my heart.
“The more we learn, the less we know.” It’s funny, I get what this line means, like, I know what it means, but I can’t articulate it… I can tell myself what it means in my head, but when I write it out it makes no sense, haha. So, I’m not going to attempt it. I would just confuse you all. I confuse myself sometimes.
Just popped NiS in my car and man does it bring back good memories back ’05! Golden was a hidden gem song imo, it was shaddowed by songs like Stars and WAOT. Today i can say it is a personal fav, the lyrics are beautifully put together.
What’s up with Drew’s shirt
Woahoah! That acoustic Dark Horses was amazing! Pretty amazing that The War Inside could feature in a Hollywood movie as well.
I dunno why but I just got too emotional that I cried watching Jon and Drew perform tha Dark Horses.
What’s happening to me?
I’m really excited for the movie (i’m a sucker for mindboggling sci-fis like Inception) despite the main character being played by Justin Timberlake… (though i’m willing to watch it just for Cillian Murphy…)
And i’m also excited for the song
I can already tell it’s going to be one of my favorites from VV.
Golden has to be one of my favorite SF songs of all time, it reminds me to love myself whenever i’m feeling unwanted, alone and broken. It’s my pick me up, dust me off song. It’ beautiful.
The addition of the new Switchfoot song to the In Time trailer makes that movie look way better!
I saw the trailer without “The War Inside” at Comic-con and was disappointed by it. Now it looks epic!
Golden is one of my all time favs from SF. The lyric “don’t let go tonight” has always resonated with me.