Yard Work, Idealism, and Switchfoot

I hate yard work.
If I had to choose between watching figure skating and doing yard work, I'd choose a root canal.

Yet, we're doing some major work in our back yard to get the house in better shape. I've found that there are about three major bands I will listen to while mowing, tilling, breaking cement, pulling fence posts, and raking (that's it, I just threw up in my mouth a little from writing about these tasks).

Anyway, those three groups are my three favorite bands... U2, Coldplay, and Switchfoot.

I've noticed something about my playlist... it's full of idealism. I think it keeps me dreaming while doing something I dread. More times that not, I land on Switchfoot. Yesterday, it was the song American Dream. I was struck deeply by the lyrics.

Watch it...


Read it...

When success is equated with excess
The ambition for excess wrecks us
As top of the mind becomes the bottom line
When success is equated with excess

If you're time ain't be nothing for money
I start to feel really bad for you honey
Maybe honey put you're money where your mouth's been running
If you're time ain't be nothing but money

I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom

(chorus)
This ain't my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I'm tired of fighting for just me
This ain't my American dream

When success is equated with excess
When we're fighting for the beamer, the lexus
As the heart and soul breathing the company goals
Where success is equated with excess

I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom

(chorus)

Cause baby's always talkin 'bout a ring
And talk has always been the cheapest thing
Is it true would you do what I want you to
If I show up with the right amount of bling?

Like a puppet on a monetary string
Maybe we've been caught singing
Red, white, blue, and green
But that ain't my America,
That ain't my American dream

(chorus)