“GOTTA BE WORTH SOMETHING” Music Video CHRIS JACKMAN NOVEMBER 8, 2018
THE BACKSTORY
This new song, “Gotta Be Worth Something” was the product of me clowning around with a friend. She goaded me into trying to write a country song, a genre she loves—me, not so much. So I just started banging around some chords on the guitar, clowning around, roaming in a country story song place in my head and all of a sudden this came out: “Well, I’m not skinny… ain’t that pretty, but I can be a little bit witty. Gotta be worth something...” came out. My friend, smiled. “Hey, I like that!” She enthused. So, I eventually finished the song, then made this music video for it.
Because I can’t afford to go into the studio right now to record it properly, I opted for what I could do at home. The result is a simple version of the song. Because of this, I decided the only video footage that would work with such a raw song, would be old black and white movies. I think it works. I hope you enjoy it :)
THE IDEA BEHIND THE SONG
The idea behind the theme of “Gotta Be Worth Something,” is me taking a stance against the shallowness of our Western culture, which was birthed from a Greco/Roman womb. It’s a far cry from the Near Eastern/Hebraic Biblical mindset. The Western culture, particularly American culture exalts youth and beauty which naturally denigrates into a disrespectful and dismissive attitude towards its elderly. To be average looking, carrying a little extra weight, having grey hair and wrinkles are the ultimate horror show to the Western world.
The Near Eastern/Hebraic Biblical mindset values who the person is within and what a person does. Notice that descriptions of physical attributes are pretty scarce. If they are given, there’s a reason for it: to reveal something about the character or actions of that individual. We are never told what color hair or eyes Yeshua had. (Though I’m pretty sure as an Israeli, He didn’t look like a long-haired, blonde California surfer dude.)
“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’" Shmuel/Samuel 16:7
Another thing in Scripture is the value of the experience and wisdom of the older people, the elderly. Great respect is shown them in the Bible.
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Devarim/Deuteronomy 5:16
“The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.” Kohelet/Proverbs 20:29
(This following verse demonstrates that older people should have wisdom) “Strangers devour his strength, yet he does not know it; gray hairs also are sprinkled on him, yet he does not know it.” Hoshea/Hosea 7:9
"Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” Vayikra/Leviticus 19:32
“A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.” Kohelet/Proverbs 16:31
So, “Gotta Be Worth Something” is my small attempt to wake up our culture to stop being so shallow. It’s time to restore the dignity of every person. It’s time to reflect the Glory of God and imitate Him: to judge people based on their character and actions, not just their looks. What a world that would be.