Gone

Album: The Beautiful Letdown (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is saying that people never value what a good life they have until it's gone. It's a common these for Switchfoot and their introspective frontman/lyricist Jon Foreman, who told Songfacts: "I'm always thinking about songs, I'm thinking of life maybe a little bit more lyrically than a computer programmer or someone like that."

    The idea of appreciating the beauty of life and experiencing it in the present also shows up in Switchfoot's 2011 song "Afterlife."

Comments: 7

  • Samuel from Singapore, SingaporeThe lyric, "Hey Bono, I'm glad you asked, life is still worth living," is a reference to U2's 1997 album, Pop.
  • Faye from Memphis, TnI think this song is about nearing eternity but not being scared because you've still got a life to live through Christ. The days continue to zoom past us, and we have to be ready. "Where's your treasure? Where's your hope if you get the world and lose your soul?" What good is it if a man gains the whole world and loses his soul? We've gotta look past what the world makes look good and see that life is worth living no matter what.
  • Jessie from Dallas, TxSuch an amazing song!!!
  • Karen from Atlantic Beach, FlThe world is spinning so fast. "Life is more than money." and thumbs up to the guys who take lesser paying jobs to spend more time with their family at home. Just got to cut the ties of the material world to be more happy in life.
  • /alix\ from Pinkerton, MiOne of the best songs I've ever heard.
  • Jude from Toronto, QcThis song is amazing, period.
  • Jenni from Nowhere, OhThis song is a verbal representation about how life is more about the siimple things.
    i.e.:"Hey Bono, I'm glad you asked--life is still worth living..." & "Life is more than money, life was never money..."

    It is about valuing what you are given and realizing that life is so much more than people could ever fathom.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.