A Song Worth Listening To

Worldviews are everywhere. Everyone has a worldview. Individuals, families, churches, corporations, film, television, and music have worldviews. Worldviews, or frameworks of seeing life, are easily found in every aspect. Fred Smith, in his book “Developing a Biblical Worldview,” writes, “Worldviews are not systematic, nor even always conscious. They are “perceptual frameworks” or “ways of seeing.” We often assume the truth of our own worldview without carefully examining it. Worldviews include philosophies, and even theologies, but are not identical with them.”^[1]

Utilizing Smith’s Four Worldview questions, it is simple enough to determine the worldview of a person, politician, book writer, actor, film series, and even an individual song. Many people love music, and everyone listens to it daily – it’s an integral part of life. It is also true that some songs are worth listening to and some are not. Some songs do good for your soul, and some do not. This post will ask Smith’s questions of two outstanding vocalists, Taylor Swift and Megan Woods. The contrast is incredible. The perspectives of each lady are very different. Their worldviews come from dramatically different viewpoints. One song is worth listening to, and one is not. You decide for yourself.

The Worldview questions are as follows: (1) Who are we? (2) Where are we? (3) What is wrong? (4) and What is the answer? First, let’s ask Taylor Swift and use her song “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” for her worldview assessment.

Taylor Swift – “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”

“I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eleventh studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department” (2024). I have left her text fully intact, though some may want to omit some of the words in her song. Parents may want to know what their kids (or their kid’s friends) are listening to.

“I can read your mind “She’s having the time of her life” There in her glittering prime The lights refract sequined stars off her silhouette every night I can show you lies (one, two, three, four)

‘Cause I’m a real tough kid, I can handle my shit They said, “Babe, you gotta fake it ’til you make it” and I did Lights, camera, bitch smile, even when you wanna die He said he’d love me all his life But that life was too short Breaking down, I hit the floor All the pieces of me shattered as the crowd was chanting, “More” I was grinning like I’m winning, I was hitting my marks ‘Cause I can do it with a broken heart (one, two, three, four)

I’m so depressed, I act like it’s my birthday every day I’m so obsessed with him but he avoids me like the plague I cry a lot but I am so productive, it’s an art You know you’re good when you can even do it With a broken heart

I can hold my breath I’ve been doing it since he left I keep finding his things in drawers Crucial evidence, I didn’t imagine the whole thing I’m sure I can pass this test (one, two, three, four).” [2]

‌Interesting song lyrics. Now here are the questions answered by the words of this song.

Who am I?

I am a multimillionaire with thousands of followers called “Swifties” who follow me. I’m a successful businesswoman with tremendous success. People often call me and my brand “once in a generation.” I am an influencer in the arts and beyond in America and other parts of the world.

Where am I?

I live in the USA, but I travel the world. I cannot go anywhere without being recognized and followed. I am in Nashville, TN, Arrowhead Stadium, and anywhere my “Eras Tour” is. I live in a prosperous land with millions of people streaming my songs. Music and fashionable clothing are my brands that people find a way to purchase in this land. I’m more significant than the labels, music streaming services, and NFL.

What is the problem?

Inside, “I wanna die.” I am depressed because of all the attention. I am incredibly productive but empty inside, faking it till I make it, but it is not working for me. Grinning like I’m winning, but my heart is broken; her boyfriend left. “All the pieces of me shattered as the crowd chanted more,” But I have no more to give. I am insecure about who I am as a young woman and searching for where my value comes from.

What is the answer?

I need to toughen up. I act like it is my birthday every day to try to cope with the fame, fortune, and expectations. I am the answer to my problems, I will “fake it till I make it” even though I am dying inside.

Swift needs something more – She needs Jesus. Her worldview, as conveyed in this song, is known as individualism. Individualism is very popular in American society today. This worldview could be a contributor to the increasing cases of depression in the US.

Individualism is a worldview that revolves around the individual. Whatever the individual says, wants, desires, or lives for is paramount. “I am my own god” is a simple way of understanding individualism. “I am the only one who can solve my problem.” This perspective leaves a person to their own devices and their specific way of trying to solve life’s problems apart from God.  

SUMMARY FOR SWIFT: While talented, coveted after, and looked up to, Taylor is empty inside. Her wild success in entertainment, business, and life has left her feeling a hole in her heart. Multiple relationships with successful men have not fulfilled her innermost longing. After growing up in the Bible belt, singing in church, and hearing of Christianity in her youth, Taylor has forsaken The Truth in search of her truth, leaving her feeling depressed and overcome with life.[3]

Megan Woods – “The Truth”

Megan Woods is an aspiring Christian musician who has recently burst onto the Christian music scene with her single – “The Truth” being released in 2024. Read the song below then ask the four worldview questions.

How many times can you hear the same lie Before you start to believe it? The enemy keeps whisperin’ to me I swear these days it’s all that I’m hearin’.

I used to know who I was Now I look in the mirror, and I’m not so sure Lord, I don’t wanna listen to the lies anymore.

The truth is I am my Father’s child I make Him proud and I make Him smile I was made in the image of a perfect King He looks at me and wouldn’t change a thing The truth is I am truly loved By a God who’s good when I’m not good enough I don’t belong to the lies, I belong to You And that’s the truth.

When I feel like there’s so much noise Livin’ rent-free in my head Heaven finds me in a still small voice And it sounds like grace instead.

You remind me who I am When I look in the mirror, and I’m not so sure Lord, I don’t wanna listen to the lies anymore.

The truth is I am my Father’s child I make Him proud and I make Him smile I was made in the image of a perfect King He looks at me and wouldn’t change a thing The truth is I am truly loved By a God who’s good when I’m not good enough I don’t belong to the lies, I belong to You And that’s the truth.[4]

Who am I?

I am a young female vocalist just starting to create music and my ministry has started to be published and promoted in the music field.

Where am I?

‌I am a young woman living in the northeast, USA who looks in the mirror often, while culture emphasizes appearance and looks.

What is the problem?

‌The problem is the enemy plants lies in my mind and the noise sometimes “lives rent free in my head.” I am insecure in who I am as a young woman and searching for where my value comes from.

What is the answer?

The answer is I am a child of the perfect king. I am valuable to God, and the lies will no longer gain control of my thoughts, feelings, or self-worth. My personal value and identity are found in Jesus. “God smiles at me and is good enough when I do not feel good enough.”

SUMMARY FOR WOODS: The following biography comes from Wood’s website (https://www.meganwoodsofficial.com/). This biography offers a good summary of her life, the fallen condition she found herself in, and how she turned to Jesus, who solved her self-esteem and value issues. Woods found her spiritual and emotional needs met in Christ.

“Megan Woods is from a small town in Northern Massachusetts where God planted a love for music in her at a really young age. Even though she grew up in a Christian home with an amazing Christian family, she didn’t have a personal relationship with God.

Throughout her entire life Megan had always struggled with self-worth and believing she was worthy of love. She felt like no matter where she turned she was never good enough, which led her to the lowest point in her life. In that very moment she got a phone call from one of the closest people in her life, and they had just had a near death experience happen to them. They said to her word for word, “Megan, Jesus Christ is real.” In her lowest, most desperate moment Jesus saved her life.

Megan then got herself in church, in the Word, and she started leading worship at her home church and God changed every single last thing about her life for the better. Now I want nothing more than to tell people about Jesus through my music and share the story of the work God has done in my life.””

Developing her relationship with Christ through her songwriting began the process of healing. Leaning into God’s love after coming from a place of worthlessness shows up in all the songs she writes. “I hope people come to know Jesus how I’ve come to know Him,” Woods says. “A lot of people talk about how we need to love God, but I want people to realize God loves them! Sometimes we forget that He loved us first.”[5]

According to Woods’s song, her insecurities as a young woman in America today are not overcome by anything other than her value, which comes from being a child of the “Perfect King.” Instead of being the answer herself when she is not good enough, she has discovered her personal value, acceptance, and purpose from living in her being created in the image of God. The lies that sometimes “live rent-free” in her head are no longer going to control her thoughts and self-esteem or take an emotional toll on her. She now relies on her Heavenly Father. She is seeing life through the lens of truth. She belongs to Jesus, and this changes everything. Woods’ worldview is a biblical worldview that is relational. She now sees life in a relationship with the Lord.

Contrasting Swift and Wood’s Worldview

The worldview of each singer makes a difference in how they live life, value relationships, and find purpose. Both look at life from a worldview, but they look at life through a drastically different lens. Simply stated, Jesus is the answer, or self (Individualism) is the answer.

The Biblical worldview the Christian should adopt is relational. The Bible is relational. God is relational. God sent Jesus to form a bridge of relationship from God the Father to man. Jesus is coming back for us one day. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell in relationship with us. God gives us church families to live in community and relationships with. The Bible’s worldview is relational. When we realize that we are not the answer for salvation, forgiveness, acceptance, and redemption, we can turn to God through Jesus.

Jesus said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it (Luke 9:24). While one’s best attempts cannot provide personal salvation, forgiveness of sins, or secure a home in Heaven, relationship with Jesus can. If one becomes one’s own god, there is no hope for eternity because humans do not have transcendent god-like power. When one lives for oneself, he or she is actually losing in life. However, the moment one repents of sin and accepts the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he or she finds eternal life. The new Christian finds identity, purpose, and fulfillment in Christ (Galatians 2:20, Matthew 10:24). Seeking Jesus, above all else, is a relational worldview that considers relationship with God first and foremost. While we are not the answer ourselves, we can find the answer for life in the person of Jesus Christ.

The songs we sing and listen to make a difference in our lives. Personal worldviews are affected by the songs we hear. Find a song worth listening to that affirms your Biblical, relational worldview, and enjoy it!

If this post was a blessing to you, please interact on this page or share via social media.

---

^[1] C. Fred Smith, Developing a Biblical Worldview: Seeing Things God’s Way (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2015), 2.

[2] Taylor Swift, “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.” April 19, 2024.  https://genius.com/Taylor-swift-i-can-do-it-with-a-broken-heart-lyrics.

[3] Jennifer Fitz. “What Religion Does Taylor Swift Practice?” Patheos, May 9, 2023. Accessed 11.25.24. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/jenniferfitz/2023/05/what-religion-does-taylor-swift-practice/.

[4] Megan Woods, “The Truth.” May 31, 2024. https://genius.com/Megan-woods-the-truth-lyrics.

[5] Megan Woods, Homepage, 2024. Accessed 11.25.24.https://www.meganwoodsofficial.com/.