Good Charlotte
Album: The Young and the Hopeless
Song: Hold On
Reviewed by: Krystal Burns
The Band
This review is inspired by all the requests we received for a closer look at Good Charlotte (extra credit to those of you who include both band and song with your requests). This east coast based band is made up of five talented musicians: twin brothers Benji (guitar) and Joel (vocals), high school buds Paul (bass) and Aaron (drum), and last but not least Billy (guitar 2). They plan to release another album some time this year (2004).
The Music
Their album "The Young and the Hopeless" that was released in 2002 is described as something between alternative pop/rock and pop punk. They say “honesty is the thread that runs through every song on [the album] and binds Good Charlotte to their devoted fans.” Since then, they’ve been traveling all over the world singing for fans.
The Song
“Hold On” is probably one of the most powerful and heartfelt songs on the album. As explained on their website, it was written in response to some close friends who decided to take their own lives. Furthermore, they receive countless letter from fans pouring out their disillusion with life extending from problems and stress with family, love, and everyday living. Joel says, “So many have gone through the same thing and reaching out is a strength not weakness. Life is worth living even if it seems unbearable right now.”
We live in a sinful world full of conflict and oppression. Everyone senses that on some level. The song echoes this tension, “You’re feeling sad and you’re feeling lonely/ And no one seems to care/… This pain you cannot bare.” Even Bible heroes felt at times it was almost too much. Job cried out, “Why is light give to those in misery and life to the bitter soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than a hidden treasure…? (Job 4:20-21). The chorus repeats itself three times in the short song.
But we all bleed the same way as you do
We all have the same things to go through
Hold on… if you feel like letting go
Hold on… it gets better than you know
On a positive note, the song succeeds in that it is encouraging, like a gentle voice coming along beside you to let you know you’re not alone and what ever it is will pass. Who doesn’t want to hear that when everything else seems to scream the opposite?
The only issue with the song is that it fails to give a substantial reason for hope. It’s full of kind yet ultimately empty words. Sure, it might get you through a dark night, but what happens in the morning? If your life is unbearable, is it really encouraging to know life is equally unbearable for everyone else too? Does that make you want to live? And what guarantee do we have that it gets better as the chorus suggests?
Since this is not a Christian song, I didn’t expect to find solid backup for their assertions. That may sound harsh, but let’s think about it. As Christians, we know that Christ died on the cross and rose again to save us from the consequence of sin—spiritual death. We endure the pain of the world because we have hope in him and in the goodness of eternal life. Furthermore, the kindness and faithfulness of God gives us strength. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint, (Isaiah 40:31). After much weeping and sorrow, the author of Lamentations at the point of breaking writes, “This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is [the Lord’s] faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23).
But if you don’t have Christ, what do you put your hope in? Romance? Money? Parties? These are lies the world is selling to destroy you. The only reason to hope is that which is in Christ Jesus.
So What Do You Think?
1. What would you tell someone who wanted to
commit suicide?
2. Have you ever thought about ending your own life?
3. What is the purpose of life?
4. Who is someone you can talk about these type of issues with?