Politicians by Switchfoot

Album: Nothing Is Sound (2005)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Despite the title, this song is not about politicians at all. The song is about heaven: "I pledge allegiance to a country without borders, without politicians."

At various concerts, lead singer Jon Foreman has stated that the song is not about politics or anti-anything. Rather, it is about "coming together and making a difference."

Comments: 6

Sam from VictoriaI disagree with the assessment made by SongFacts. Switchfoot, despite what they may say publically, is a very political band. One of their other songs, American Dream, is also about fighting for a better world, and how money corrupts people. Another song of theirs, Afterlife, is about how they want to make the world NOW better, instead of waiting for heaven. This song is a call to action, for people to come together and make a better world without separation, without 'politicians' who seek to divide us. It is also an acknowledgement that we as humans have flaws, that we are 'politicians' ourselves, and that we need to work through our prejudices to become better people.
Emily from Flint, MiEverytime I hear this song I want to protest something.
Mark from Pittsburgh, Pa"I am broken, I am bitter
I'm the problem, I'm the politician
Watching for my sky to get torn apart
C'mon and break me"

Seems pretty clear to me what the song's about.
Marvelboy_04 from Nc, NcThis song is about Heaven. One of the theme's of the album Nothing is Sound has is a theme of nothing in this world that we're living in is worth anything compared to what it will be in heaven. Look at the album cover. Its got a man on it on a ladder climbing for Heaven. "I pledge allegiance to a country without borders without poloticians." That "country" is Heaven.
Christopher Czaja from Phoenix, AzJon Foreman said at a concert I attended that the song is not an attack on the Bush administration.
John from Newmarket, CanadaAs singer Jon Foreman said: "We played this one downtown in Washington DC, surrounded on all sides by the government buildings. You see, I believe in democracy because I mistrust all humanity equally, (including myself). Power corrupts us all and we become political, (in the worst connotation of the word). We become simply pawns of our own insatiable hunger for control. Maybe control is a myth, like Santa Claus or the easter bunny: a nice fable that makes the children want to be good all year round. Well, seems to me there's a monster in all of us. I pledge allegiance to a nation without borders, without pride, without politicians like ourselves."

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Invisible TouchGenesis

The Genesis song "Invisible Touch" was inspired by the Prince-written Sheila E. track "The Glamorous Life."

Shake It OffTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" was inspired by how she'd learned to deal with all the false rumors that circulated about her. She realized she could either let it get to her or "just shake it off."

The ReflexDuran Duran

"The Reflex" became a #1 hit for Duran Duran when Nile Rodgers remixed it using a sampler. Simon Le Bon refuses to say what it's about, but says it's "kind of childish song."

Louie LouieThe Kingsmen

"Louie Louie" was first recorded in 1955 by an R&B singer named Richard Berry, and his lyrics are easy to understand. When The Kingsmen recorded the hit version, their lyrics were indecipherable.

Burning Down The HouseTalking Heads

"Burning Down The House" by Talking Heads was inspired by chant band members heard at a P-Funk show where the crowd yelled, "burn down the house... burn down the house."

She Loves YouThe Beatles

"She Loves You" by The Beatles was the song that convinced Ozzy Osbourne to make music his life. The Beatles were a big influence on him because they were also poor kids from a small town in England.