“Everything” by Lifehouse

Lifehouse’s “Everything” is one of those types of songs that has benefited from relying on what is commonly considered religious imagery. Yet the lyrics are ambiguous enough that they can be interpreted in various ways. Thus, even though there are no direct references to God or what have you, “Everything” has been utilized in churches. 

And it has also proven applicable in marriage-like situations, with some dudes even proposing to their significant others with this song playing in the background.

Narrative of “Everything”

What the narrative actually centers on is the vocalist finding complete fulfillment via his relationship with the addressee. Indeed what the title represents is said figure providing “everything” that the singers ‘wants and needs’ in life. 

And whereas such a notion alone would be enough for some people to consider this tune akin to a spiritual, there is also additional terminology in that regard. This includes the vocalist proclaiming this individual to be ‘the light to his soul’. Additionally, this individual provides him with ‘the strength to keep walking’. Furthermore, they are even able to “calm the storms”. 

And of course that latter attribute especially would cause some listener’s mind to harp back to the ‘calming the storm’ miracle, as it is commonly called, as detailed in the New Testament. Also Jesus, the same person who is said to have pulled off said miracle, is often referred to in Christian circles as the ‘light of the world’. 

Indeed the addressee is presented as someone who is so powerful that the singer cannot even stand in his or her presence without being “moved”. So one may get the impression that, at the very least, this song was inspired by common Christian ideas.

Is the Addressee of “Everything” Christ or God?

There are no direct references to prove so. After all, the examples listed above can be considered metaphors. So the addressee can be fundamentally interpreted as anyone who had and continues to have a very profound impact on the vocalist’s life. 

And yes, such characteristics can be applied to, say a very-effective mentor. But the way that the singer is professing faith in and having a life-changing relationship with the addressee would imply that if it isn’t a spiritual figure, then it would have to be someone like a spouse. 

In other words, we can put forth that generally speaking the wording is too strong to be applied to anyone that falls outside of those two categories. For instance, you’re not likely to tell your most-influential mentor or a parent that your relationship with him or her ‘can’t get any better than this’.

And conclusively, according to Jason Wade himself, “Everything” can apply to either spiritual or earthly love. Apparently as originally intended, it is meant to be more along the lines of the latter. However, Wade explained that he penned the lyrics in a manner where “you can take it your own way”.

Release Date of “Everything”

This is the last track on the 12-song playlist of Lifehouse’s debut album, 2000’s “No Name Face”. Of the three singles issued from that project, “Everything” was not amongst them. 

However, it has proven to be a fan favorite, partially due to being featured on a few episodes of the hit television show Smallville. In fact it was featured on a soundtrack released from that show entitled Smallville, Vol. 1” The Talon Mix (2003). And Lifehouse went on to name their 2005 compilation DVD after this song.

Lifehouse

Lifehouse is a band from L.A. that released seven studio albums between 2000 and 2015. Four of those managed to break the top 10 of the Billboard 200. And out of the lot “No Name Face”, which peaked at number 6 on said listing, has been their most-successful overall. It actually even went on to be certified double-platinum by the RIAA. 

And as far as Lifehouse’s singles go the leadoff from that album, “Hanging by a Moment“, has also performed the best in terms of worldwide reception.

“Everything”

When this track was released, Lifehouse consisted of these artists:

• Jason Wade (vocalist)
• Sergio Andrade (bassist)
• Jon Palmer (drummer)

In more recent times, only Wade remains out of the original three.

Jason also served as the writer of “Everything”. And the producer of the track is Ron Aniello. Producer Aniello is perhaps best known as a regular collaborator of Bruce Springsteen’s.

“Everything” was released on 31 October 2000, as part of the album noted above, by DreamWorks Records.