Jump (Van Halen)
David Lee Roth is the only singer of Van Halen I will consider, but they had some really epic songs over the years. I read David Lee Roth's autobiography many years ago. He had quite a life. A lot of what he dealt with was how to maintain balance and stability during all the rock and roll fame. He would go to an island somewhere and get lost. I get that.
This song was released in late 1983. (By contrast, Bad Religion released their first album in 1982. The band formed in 1979.) I was six years old. This was Van Halen's most popular single. It went to number one. Kids have no concept of popular music, though it seems all popular music is directed at them. Many of those songs on the radio I heard growing up are still stuck in my head. That's the point. Think of the songs kids are listening to on the radio now. Think of the song Big Energy, which is about big d*ck energy, folks. It's disgusting. Masculine pride. Not for kids, for sure. Not even for me. What was intimated when I was a kid is now said straight out. I actually feel quite ill listening to some songs now, but, hey, let's go back to simpler times. When songs about jumping around were actually about suicide.
That's right. This song is encouraging someone to jump to their death. Life is hard, the song says, you have to be tougher. If you can't handle it, go ahead and jump. Those are the lyrics, basically. The lyrics are pretty sparse. Like a lot of songs in the 80s, it was about having a good time and being frivolous. I compiled a list of songs to write about, and those from the 80s actually make me feel a bit ill. It's easy to see how grunge came along and destroyed the hair-band scene.
The bands from the 80s seemed very proud to me. They were big and flashy and really quite ugly. I gravitated to a more organic and accessible sound in melodic hardcore when I got older. It was the antithesis of the stuff my brothers listened to when I was growing up. And it was a helluva lot more intelligent and thoughtful. Having broken from all of that, what are my thoughts now that I look back? Somehow I got my gospel CDs back recently. Maybe I'll write about that. I spent a lot of time listening to music about God. Honestly, the only thing that got me through life thus far is my relationship with my Savior. Think about how awful my life has been. Maybe you've had some stuff to get through too. What got you through it? When you didn't have anyone else, where did you go? Who did you talk to? Who did you cry to? Who held your hand in the darkest hours of your life?
This song is the antithesis of the gospel message, which says there is always help in God. God cares. This song says go ahead and jump. God says, "I will catch you. I have engraved you on my hands. I love you. I died for you so you could spend eternity with me. I will be with you even when you are old and gray. Life may be hard, at times, but you have something of eternal worth to be gained by facing trials and tribulations, and then you get to come home with me where there are no tears and no pain." What a difference. I asked God to remove everything preventing me from moving forward with Him, whether it's in my heart or mind or circumstances. There is no help or comfort in the world. I've been hanging on to security-blanket sins. All it has done is prevent me from moving forward. I wondered why God kept giving me Psalm 119:114. It says God is my refuge and shield. When things get hard, I can go to my sins or I can go to God's Word. This is going to be hard. I don't think there was anything inherently wrong about some of those things, but putting them in place of God in my life is wrong, especially now that it's been called out. God showed me some of my sin is bound up in abuse I received, but that is no excuse. I can still exercise my will.
I can't say much more about this song. I dislike the sentiment, but the music is fun. That goes for a lot of popular songs. Anyway, not sure I want to continue this thread if it's going to make me crabby. Not sure what else to write about, though. Anyway, thanks for tuning in to Joshua's hits of yesteryear.
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God, help me be faithful. This isn’t how I want my life to be. I have no friends here, don’t know what to do, and alternate between boredom and sadness. God will show me what to do. I prayed to expedite my progress, so we’ll see what happens. I came here to heal, but God seems to have other plans, at least in the short term. It’s time for silence and seeking God. Pray for me if you feel led to do so. Thank you.
This blog is my testimony in fits and starts. I’ll leave it for posterity so they don’t make the same mistakes. It is important to look to those who have gone before us. We are all made of the same stuff. I pray God uses this space for His purposes. I see the pattern laid down over the years is changing. I don’t want to whine anymore because I didn’t get what I wanted. I praise God for what He is doing, though I don’t understand. A new post will be along soon. Then I will probably need a break.
Thank you for reading. And God bless.
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