True Believer Lyrics
John Davis had a pretty hardcore drinking problem all throughout his Superdrag years, which cumulated in Superdrag's break-up and Davis' turn to Gospel.
"Ever since I/take downs to keep me dreaming" - 'Downs', I'm pretty sure, is referring to downers like alcohol. The line most likely means that he used to drink himself to convince himself he's having fun ('dreaming').
"Whatever helps you break that fall/whatever makes you safe at all" - Whatever one might think of his decision to turn to Christian rock, it WAS a religious experience that pulled Davis out of his alcoholism, that much cannot be denied. He's basically saying that whatever it takes to get you to 'break that fall', do it. In John's case, it was religion.
@Kabbage\r\n\r\nAgreed. To a point. \r\n\r\nThere\'s a difference between Religion and Faith, and I would say it was likely the later.\r\n\r\nAlso, given that context, I always thought that the word was Grace even though all of the lyric sites seem to say Graves. It\'s certainly grace. Right?
@Kabbage\r\n\r\nAgreed. To a point. \r\n\r\nThere\'s a difference between Religion and Faith, and I would say it was likely the later.\r\n\r\nAlso, given that context, I always thought that the word was Grace even though all of the lyric sites seem to say Graves. It\'s certainly grace. Right?
@mike115816 - Yeah, feels like it\'s gotta be "grace".\r\n\r\nI\'d agree with you in that this was probably more of a turn toward having faith in something greater, some meaning. According to this "jesusfreakhideout.com" review of the 2005 "John Davis" solo album: \r\n\r\n"Growing up, Davis fully embraced God; but as a member of Superdrag, Davis began a downward spiral of alcohol addiction. But during a night drive, God revealed Himself to Davis and he realized only God could fill the gaping hole in his life."\r\n\r\nHe goes on to write that most tracks "talk about falling away from God and running back...
@mike115816 - Yeah, feels like it\'s gotta be "grace".\r\n\r\nI\'d agree with you in that this was probably more of a turn toward having faith in something greater, some meaning. According to this "jesusfreakhideout.com" review of the 2005 "John Davis" solo album: \r\n\r\n"Growing up, Davis fully embraced God; but as a member of Superdrag, Davis began a downward spiral of alcohol addiction. But during a night drive, God revealed Himself to Davis and he realized only God could fill the gaping hole in his life."\r\n\r\nHe goes on to write that most tracks "talk about falling away from God and running back into His embrace."\r\n\r\nWere I to guess, I\'d say he grew up in a religious household, went off to play with Superdrag at some point, became an alcoholic on the road, and once it came to a head, and he returned to the religious stuff to heal and find meaning.\r\n\r\nBased on his post-2005 content, I agree that I wouldn\'t call him particularly religious nowadays, in the sense that he\'s not like making a huge show out of praising jesus and all that.\r\n\r\nIf it helped him break that fall and get back on his feet, I suppose it was for the best.