“Some Nights” by Fun

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights, I call it a draw
Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they’d just fall off
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I’m still not sure what I stand for, oh-oh
(Oh-ooh-woah) what do I stand for?
(Oh-ooh-woah) what do I stand for?
Most nights, I don’t know anymore

Oh, oh-ooh-woah
Oh-ooh-woah, oh
Oh, oh-ooh-woah
Oh-ooh-woah, oh

This is it, boys, this is war
What are we waiting for?
Why don’t we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype
Save that for the black and white
Try twice as hard, and I’m half as liked
But here they come again to jack my style

That’s alright (that’s alright)
I found a martyr in my bed tonight
She stops my bones from wondering just who I am, who I am, who I am
Oh, who am I? Mmm, mmm-mmm

Well, some nights, I wish that this all would end
‘Cause I could use some friends for a change
And some nights, I’m scared you’ll forget me again
Some nights, I always win (I always win)
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I’m still not sure what I stand for, oh-oh
(Oh-ooh-woah) what do I stand for?
(Oh-ooh-woah) what do I stand for?
Most nights, I don’t know

so this is it?
I sold my soul for this?
Washed my hands of that for this?
I miss my mom and dad for this?
No, when I see stars, when I see-
When I see stars, that’s all they are
When I hear songs
They sound like a swan, so come on
Oh come on, oh come on, oh come on

Well, this is it guys, that is all
Five minutes in, and I’m bored again
Ten years of this, I’m not sure if anybody understands
This one is not for the folks at home
Sorry to leave, Mom, I had to go
Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?

My heart is breaking for my sister
And the con that she called “love”
And then I look into my nephew’s eyes
Man, you wouldn’t believe
The most amazing things
That can come from
Some terrible nights

Oh, oh-ooh-woah
Oh-ooh-woah, oh
Oh, oh-ooh-woah
Oh-ooh-woah, oh

The other night, you wouldn’t believe
The dream I just had about you and me
I called you up, but we both agree
It’s for the best you didn’t listen
It’s for the best we get our distance, oh
For the best you didn’t listen
It’s for the best we get our distance, oh

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Nathaniel Joseph Ruess / Andrew Dost / Jeffrey Bhasker / Jack Michael Antonoff

Dear God, I wanted to do this prayer a couple of days ago when I woke up with this song in my head, but…well, time just got away from me. It’s been hectic this week, I haven’t felt great physically, etc. Excuse, excuse, excuse. The truth is, I didn’t make praying to you in this way a priority the last couple of days. So here I am now. I need you. I miss you.

This song is interesting. It’s secular, and I have no illusions it’s not secular. But it speaks to that longing that we all have when we are wandering away from you. What do I stand for?

The lyrics of the song are poetic and cryptic. I don’t know exactly what they are saying, but I certainly see intimations. Attack life and you end up with enemies and loneliness. A martyr in my bed tonight? A one-night stand who gave meaning for a moment, but the moment is gone. “Some nights I wish this all would end, ’cause I could use some friends for a change.” What did the attacking of life get me? What did success get me?

Someone mocked me recently for the amount of volunteer work I do. They were a young person who has a pretty empty life. They are still pursuing the money and career. They are trying to attack life, but doing it seemingly fruitlessly. I see a lot of emptiness in them. And I’ll say, as I evaluate my level of volunteerism, it’s not like I do it compulsively. I say no to a lot of things. I go home and spend time with my wife. I take time for myself. But I certainly make sure I have it as part of my life balance.

The last part seems to be singing about his sister’s family. Bad husband (a “con”). Her son, a devastated nephew. So much pain. So much pain.

I was driving yesterday and I saw a family with a sign asking for money in front of Walmart. This doesn’t happen often in our small idyllic tourist town. The police usually snuff them out pretty quickly. But I thought about this family and imagined what their situation might be. How deep in the hole they probably are. What kind of effort and resources it would take to get them out of that situation–this one family. Then how many families there are in that situation. So much pain.

I was just speaking with a coworker about kids in the school and a staff member who is suffering emotionally from working with the students designated as disciplinary problems. There’s just so much wrong.

Oh, Lord. Oh, Lord Jesus, come! Come into our hearts individually. Bring revival to us. Help our marriages. Help our relationships with our children. Help us, Lord. And show us what to do to help others. But let it all start with our simple submission to you individually. Turning loose and worshipping you.

I pray this all in through your name and the power you have,

Amen