Song Dissection—"Second Hand Heart" (Pt. 1)

Music has long had a strong
influence on me.

In Latter-day Saint (Mormon) culture, it is common to speak of our faith as the “one true” Church of Jesus Christ on the earth; I, however, believe Mormons do not (and should not!) claim monopoly on all truth under God, nor does one need to be Mormon to receive guidance and inspiration through the Light of Christ, which is a gift that is given to all who are born on earth (Moroni 7:15-19). While not true for all Mormons, I have found this to be a common cultural misconception for many, especially when comparing and contrasting our religious practices and beliefs with other religions. By knowing that God is the Author of all truth and the conveyor of all goodness—as directed to His children through the Holy Ghost—I can (and do) find inspiration from on high in numerous sources, some of them very unexpected.

As I’ve discussed before in blog posts (see “To Learn the Healer’s Art”—October 2016) one particular way that is often easiest for me to hear God’s voice and receive personal revelation is by listening to music and lyric. And I don’t necessarily mean only the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sacred hymns of worship, or Christian rock bands. I can find truth coming from the songs and artists I love the most, even my favorite pop or rock songs that are stored in my iPod or that play on local radio stations.

I’ve even noticed how songs I’ve listened to hundreds of times before can take on whole new meanings based on the events, emotions, and experiences through which I am presently passing. In fact, this is one reason why Latter-day Saints are encouraged to read the scriptures over and over again, even if they’ve read them a dozen times before—because God can and will speak to us through the scriptures in new and meaningful ways as our life circumstances ebb, flow, and change over time.

I’ve had ideas in the past for blog posts which I called “Song Dissections,” a term coined by a college professor I once had, used for a particular assignment for his class. A song dissection is essentially a breakdown of the lyrics of a song that I love and have, as the ancient American prophet Nephi admonished, “likened” to myself, so that I can discuss the truths that speak to me from each line (1 Nephi 19:23-24). At least one of these song dissections was started years ago and has never been finished—mostly because I related so well and so deeply to the song that I’ve had trouble picking it apart word by word and adequately expressing how it makes me feel.

Combined with meaningful
lyric, music often moves me.

This post you are reading has been in the works for over 2 years now; but in 2015, a new song emerged on the music scene, and I probably would’ve never heard it if it were not shared on social media. One day last year, as I began listening to it and taking it all in, the Spirit quietly moved me and testified to me that I could learn eternal truths from those lyrics if I would liken them to myself and my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior.

The song is called “Second Hand Heart,” and is performed by British singer Ben Haenow, who won the eleventh series of the UK talent search TV show, The X Factor in 2014. The song is an upbeat duet with American Idol season one winner Kelly Clarkson (my favorite vocal artist). Second Hand Heart is the lead single to Haenow’s debut self-titled album, which was released in fall 2015.

I’ve really enjoyed preparing the dissection for this song, and if you know my writing well enough, you won’t be surprised that the final draft ended up rather longer—much longer than any post I’ve written so far. In order to share my expounded insights into Second Hand Heart, I have decided to split this essay into several smaller posts which will all be published separately. While I hope you will enjoy the entire project, I have found wonderful, simple themes and inspirational messages in almost every section that I will post, each based on one or two individual lines of lyric.

I invite you to listen to the song and watch the official music video below. The lyrics are listed for you to read as well; after which, I will dissect the song and share my thoughts on the lessons that it taught me, which is one reason I love this song so much. Be sure and check back for subsequent updates in this 10-part series. 

* * * * * 

– Second Hand Heart – 

Performed by Ben Haenow 
(Featuring Kelly Clarkson)

The light of the morning finds you sleeping in my bed

And it’s not like the stories; it’s never like what they said

I know who you want me to be but I’m just not there yet

Yeah, the broken road’s always been home and it’s so hard to forget

Wait for me now

Will you wait for me now?

CHORUS:

I might think too much, drink too much, stay out too late

I know I’m just a fool, but I swear I can change

I can’t steal you the stars, but I can give you this secondhand heart

All your friends think I’m hopeless, they don’t understand

That this imperfect love can start over again

It’s been broken apart, but will you still take my secondhand heart?

(FIRST STANZA REPEATS)

(CHORUS REPEATS)

FIRST BRIDGE:

If you let me show you, I could love you the same

And I can’t steal you the stars but I can try every day

Oh, you know they’ll never tear us apart

SECOND BRIDGE:

And I’m just a fool, but I swear I can change

And I can’t steal you the stars, but I can try every day

Oh, you know you got my secondhand heart

(SECOND BRIDGE REPEATS)

* * * * *

“It’s not like the stories; it’s never like what they said.” 

I read the Church Ensign every month, cover to cover. I truly enjoy the articles and content, and honestly, reading the magazine is an easier way for me to include scripture study in my life than reading from the standard works of canonized scripture. There are many stories in the Ensign, or even that we hear in Sunday meetings from other members, about miraculous occurrences, tender moments, sweet experiences, and phenomenal confirmations of testimony that happen to other members.

 The Ensign is a monthly
periodical for Mormons.

I have often felt, as I read those articles, that my own life seemed to be lacking such tremendously-faith-building manifestations of divine teaching. I wondered why the heavens didn’t part above me, as often as they seemed to for other members around the globe, as a witness and acknowledgement of my faith, my diligence, and my acceptance before God.

I have come to discover, though, that I do have those experiences, and more often than I might think. Rather than thinking that the heavens were silent, I have learned to silence myself in order to feel and sense the subtle nudging of the Spirit, prodding me to believe that I am doing well, and that God accepts my efforts. I have also had to learn to look with my spiritual eyes in order to see the hand of God in my life as it guides and directs me every day (Moses 1:11).

Thus, I’ve discovered, as the song reminded me, that worshipping Deity is not always going to be like the stories you hear—whether spoken of positively or negatively; everyone has a different experience with God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, spirituality, and religion. Some are good and some are bad, unfortunately. However, God has spoken of the ways that are best and most appropriate for showing our love and appreciation to Him and His Son—that is, the doctrines and ordinances of the gospel Jesus Christ—and He leads His prophets and apostles to keep us all in tune with those commandments and teachings that will ensure our eternal life and salvation.

I think this is important to remember, especially when our friends, family, neighbors, and fellow humans choose to worship God differently than we do, or not at all; God’s greatest gift to man was the bestowal of agency and the right to exercise it as we so choose (D&C 101:78). Some will choose harder paths than we do (whether strictly religious, or strictly not), while others will seem to have alighted upon the smoothest road through no fault (or effort) of their own; nevertheless, the destination for all of us will be the same—we are all going home to our God, whether sooner, or later.

We need not all take the same path to
fulfillment.

Some may have different experiences along the trail, but if we are honestly seeking goodness and light in our lives, I personally don’t feel that there is a wrong way to do so, as long as you’re on the incline to higher and better purposes. My path to greater enlightenment is companionate with my ascription to the gospel of Jesus Christ, through the vehicle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; your path should make you happy, as does mine, different though they might be. In his famous literary masterpiece The Lord of the Rings, author J.R.R. Tolkien includes a short poem alluding to an integral part of the trilogy’s plot; one line of the poem is a simple, yet wise declaration that I feel is applicable here: “Not all those who wander are lost.”