Ender Will Save Us All by Dashboard Confessional

Album: The Swiss Army Romance (2000)

License This Song

lyrics

Songfacts®:

This song draws its name from how Chris Carrabba got back together with an old friend he had fallen out with though sharing the Ender books. They read the four books in the series at the same time, and discussing them rekindled the friendship.

Carrabba wrote the song when they weren't getting along, which is what inspired the lyric. After they reconnected, he decided to name the song after the books because they essentially saved their friendship. "Ender" never appears in the lyric.
Chris Carrabba has listed his name as "Chris Ender Carrabba" in some instances, including on the "Hands Down" single and Summers Kiss EP. This was done as a joke: His real middle name is Andrew, and in the Ender books, the main character's real name is Andrew Wiggin.
The Ender books were written by Orson Scott Card, and are about a boy named Ender Wiggin who battles aliens in an attempt to save the Earth.
Carrabba wrote this song when he was in a pre-Dashboard Confessional band called Vacant Andys. Originally called "Ender," he changed the title to "Ender Will Save Us All" when he recorded it as Dashboard Confessional.

Comments: 7

Joe from Brownsville, TxI hear this song over and over and it seems like it goes well with Ender and his wife Novinah in "Children of the Mind." How she is so distant from Ender but no matter what he always strives to show his love for her. Its okay that maybe the song wasnt written with that intention, but I do believe that Ender WILL save us all. Any thoughts?
Annabeth from Kutztown, PaJust from the lyrics, it looks like he's trying to figure out a relationship. He loves this person, whoever it is (friend, girl, family, whatever), and wants to make them happy, but they're not letting him get closer because they're afraid/damaged. So he's given up because it's too hard to fight a losing battle.
Meg from Worcester, MaBrilliant song. He's striving to keep someone happy, but doesn't know how to do it. "What is it you need?/Is it within me?"
Nicole from Langley, WaThis is one of my favorite songs ever... I always thought it was about Ender (from Ender's Game) and I can still see how it relates to him in the story... I dunno though. I've read Ender's Game many times... I think I might just love it too much. I never knew Chris Carrabba's middle name was Ender! That makes me love him more!
Michael from Little Rock, Ar"Carraba couldn't name the song "Ender" because there was already a Vacant Andy's song with that name. (thanks, Stephen - Charlotte, NC, for all above)"

actually, you can't copyright a song title, so he could have named it whatever he wanted. He may have just chosen not to in order to prevent confusion.
Stephen from Charlotte, NcThis song is usually played by Chris in a DbAbDbDbDbDb tuning, but sometimes in DADGAD tuning.
Anthony from Valley Strea,, NyThis whole song is played with a simple chord progression of D, C, G, A. If you play guitar, learn this one, its easy to play and sounds great. Easy to sing along with as well.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Don't Tell MeMadonna

Madonna's hit "Don't Tell Me" was written by her brother-in-law, Joe Henry, who has produced albums by Hugh Laurie and Bonnie Raitt.

DaughterPearl Jam

When Pearl Jam plays "Daughter" live, they usually extend the ending so Eddie Vedder can improvise, saying or singing whatever is on his mind.

StayLisa Loeb

"Stay" by Lisa Loeb was the first #1 hit by an unsigned artist. It got a boost from Ethan Hawke, who got it into a movie he starred in called Reality Bites.