What's your direction?
Tell me what's wrong, tell me what's right
What's your direction?
Think about somebody else for the night
Life's more than girls
God's more than words
You're more than this
So what's your direction?
And where are you now?

Grow, grow where you are
Anchor your roots underneath
Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs

What's your direction?
What matters most?
What should you know?
What's your direction
All that you've been
Makes who you are now
'Cause I've been ashamed
I've been a fool
You know I've backed down
When I lose direction I pray to be found

Grow, grow where you are
Anchor your roots underneath
Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs


Lyrics submitted by natefrenzy

Ode to Chin Lyrics as written by Jonathan Mark Foreman

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.

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Ode To Chin song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    My favorite off Sfoots first album. Love the lyrics, "doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs." does anyone have any comments on who Chin is, or if he's a real person?

    Cuevoon April 22, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about jon and tims mom

    GusTer34on May 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about jon and tims mom

    GusTer34on May 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Are you sure? Why would Jon tell his mom that life's more than girls?

    I think he's giving advice to a friend ("Chin" maybe?) who's going through some hard times. Telling him to get his priorities straight and get a good foundation (God).

    Stone Freeon January 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    jae1227on March 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think Chin is a humorous term for himself. He's saying these things to himself, and it sounds introspective instead of advice-giving-y. He's saying all that to his mind - "Think about something alse tonight." That's my take. Anyone agree?

    jhpiv4on August 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Here's the Wikipedia entry about Willis Chin, aka "Chin"; "The album is named after Willis Chin, a good friend of the members of Switchfoot. The album jacket of The Legend of Chin is covered with pictures of Willis. Willis Chin can also be seen in Switchfoot's DVD Switchfootage, as well as a number of Switchfoot's music videos, like New Way To Be Human."

    AfroManiacon January 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is classic SF! my fave line in this song is "grow, grow where you are, anchor your roots underneath!" this is awesome. it's just so catchy and fun. The Legend of Chin is just a great album!

    gravity12on January 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yes Chin was one of their friends and the album's named after him. He's korean, and apparently a cool guy :)

    I love the chorus and "When I lose direction I pray to be found "

    Oh! Emilyon February 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wasn't their band before Switchfoot "Chin Up." Could that be what it is about?

    RidingThe4thWaveon August 06, 2010   Link

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