Purpose for Pain

Album: Space Between the Shadows (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Scott Stapp suffered a meltdown in 2014 as a result of bipolar disorder and drug dependence. He has since been sober and on this bombastic track he looks at his search for his higher meaning during his struggles with addiction and depression.

    There's gotta be more
    'Cause this life is insane
    Gotta turn this around
    And find the purpose for pain


    Stapp explained: "There are unexplainable, dark times that everyone goes through, and that pain is real. If we can dig deep and hold on to hope during the most difficult situations, believing there is a purpose waiting for us on the other side, we can find meaning and clarity that gives us the strength to keep fighting."
  • For Scott Stapp the purpose in his pain was the realization that when he manages to overcome his struggles he can use the experience to help somebody else. The singer explained to iHeartRadio heritage rock station WJRR that what really helped him was changing his mindset to, "You know what? I'm gonna get through this and I'm gonna learn something so I can help somebody else when I get to the other side". That gave the singer enough hope to get him through some of his darkest days, and it ended up becoming this song.
  • Longtime Creed/Stapp collaborator, director Daniel E Catullo III, filmed Stapp's performance at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A Ferre Theater in Puerto Rico for the video. The narrative of "young Scott" escaping from the pain of an abusive home was shot on location in Joshua Tree, California. The singer was portrayed by actor Omar Mughannam.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.