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BEHIND THE SONG WITH KEVIN DAVIS
#461 - "Insecurity" by Jason Dunn
The former Hawk Nelson frontman shares about his new single, and what it has to do with the epidemic of bullying.
 


It seems a lot can change in just a couple of years. I had previously spoken with Jason Dunn, founding member and former lead singer of Hawk Nelson, about "The Meaning of Life" and "Crazy Love" for behind the song devotional articles and certainly never expected him to not be part of the Canadian punk rock band that he led for almost 10 years.
 
After Crazy Love, Jason announced his pursuit of a solo career, and we haven't heard his distinctive vocals and alternative rock sensibilities, which resemble mainstream punk rock bands like All-American Rejects and Angels & Airwaves. Jason is returning with his debut solo album in early 2014, with his own fresh mix of edifying songs that are meant to lift up listeners (unlike those similar-sounding bands, who generally sing about themes that don't point listeners to Christ).
 
I had the opportunity to interview Jason about his anti-bullying lead single "Insecurity," which debuted Oct. 8.
 
Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.
 
I spent the past couple of years away from music thinking about social issues. My song, "Insecurity," is about bullying. It's become a common theme in high schools and on the Internet. I find the majority of my listeners are in high school and spend a lot of time on the Internet. The Internet is a playground where people think they can say whatever they want without any repercussion. My audience tells me that people have made fun of them on the Internet. I've seen it myself, and it seems that people have no fear and say whatever they want online. 
 
I sat down and started writing a song and it came pretty naturally and pretty quickly. It's something that I want kids to hear and relate to. I want them to know that if they are made fun of, they are bigger than those words. The truth is, the most insecure people on the planet are the ones doing the bullying. They need to know that just isn't right. Bullying is something that nobody should do, and I wanted my song to represent that. 
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song? Do you have a life verse?

Jeremiah 29:11 (The Voice): "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Eternal, "plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that."
 
Psalm 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."
 
Matthew 15:18: "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man."
 
...and James 3:9-10: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."
 
What is the takeaway message for listeners about the song and album?
 
As a kid, I was bullied. I grew up with Type 1 diabetes. I could talk about that for days, and I started a foundation last summer. I used to hide it, and in high school you feel like if you're not the same as everyone else, then you are an outcast. I was an outcast. 
 
When people made fun of me, I would hide my feelings behind my guitar and write songs. I'd like to think that paid off. I don't want kids to think they have to go through being bullied to find themselves. I want to help kids know that they can overcome it. Starting all over again as a musician, I hope people accept me and like my music. 
 
I was finishing up typing up all of the lyrics for the album, and as I was reviewing the words to a song near the end of the record called "Carry On," I remembered that I wrote that song as I was getting ready to leave Hawk Nelson. That was a really scary transition. I didn't know what was going to happen. I knew what I had to do, and to be honest, I didn't really want to do it. I was comfortable and had a good career. I guess I don't like to stay comfortable all of the time. 
 
That song addresses those feelings. I was scared out of my mind. I basically ditched my friends. I had to take the chance and that song is my cry to God for help to please not leave me, and that I need Him more than ever. I know that God has a plan for me. Even though I don't see the end result, I know I made the right decision. I believe God will honor it, and He's been right beside me every step of the way. 
 
My wife and I have Jeremiah 29:11 printed out and hung up on our refrigerator. This is a time of transition. It doesn't matter what I'm able to do on my own, and I'm very thankful for that.
 
Lyrics:
I am a victim of insecurity and I'm wandering around looking for my destiny. 
I feel so alone, I'm out on my own but I'm never gonna let go, though my heart is all in pieces.

My feelings are hurt and I know that it's not worth it. 
I tried to be perfect but I know you can't get the best of me, tried so hard to mess with me,
But you just hurt yourself. 
You wanna take a piece of me but nobody is listening. 
You'll find out, you'll find out for yourself. 

I'm not supposed to be a casualty lying dead on the ground from what you said to me. 
Your words like a knife, I'm not gonna fight. 
In the end it's gonna be alright. No my heart won't fall to pieces.

My feelings are hurt and I know that it's not worth it. 
I tried to be perfect but I know you can't get the best of me, tried so hard to mess with me, But you just hurt yourself. 
You wanna take a piece of me but nobody is listening. 
You'll find out, you'll find out for yourself.  

Wo- oh, You can't get the best of me. 
Tried so hard to mess with me, 
But you just hurt yourself. 
You wanna take a piece of me but nobody is listening. 
You'll find out, you'll find out for yourself.
 
The topic of bullying has started to really come to the forefront of people's minds, especially in this age of technology and social media where people think that they can say whatever they want with no regards for how they might be making someone else feel. In the same vein, Jason's former bandmates in Hawk Nelson have also released a song about the effects of someone's "Words," and both artists have reached the same conclusion to not let the words of others bring them down. They have also each made the commitment as believers to guard against using harmful words to hurt others. 
 
There are some other songs about this topic: "Bully" by Shinedown, "Hey Bully" by Morgan Frazier, "Mean" by Taylor Swift, and "When You Do This To Me" by Chelsea Musick. 
 
Ninety percent of 4th through 8th graders report being victims of bullying. One hundred and sixty thousand kids will not go to school from fear of being bullied. Seventy-one percent of children report incidents of bullying at their school. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, resulting in 4,400 deaths per year. For every suicide among our young there are at least 100 suicide attempts. More than half of deaths by suicide are related to "bullying." (Source: "Hey Bully" by Morgan Frazier press release). Check out Stand for the Silent, a website dedicated to this important issue. 
 
As Christians, we're called to speak out about injustice. We often mistake staying quiet about issues as turning the other cheek. The truth is that Jesus flipped over the tables in the temple when He saw injustice. In Micah 6:8 (NKJV) we are told, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" 
 
As a dad of three young girls, my wife and I have tried to raise our daughters to have confidence that they "have been made in God's likeness." We've also urged them to not compromise their values from peer pressure or make fun of other people. That's a tough balance we have as believers, and we can all take strength in knowing that our Savior, Jesus has promised us that world will hate us because it hated Him first. Knowing that we are His redeemed sons and daughters can help us overcome any "insecurity." Amen to that!
 
(Here's the link to Jason's diabetes foundation, and you can preview the new song, "Insecurity," here.)

NRT Lead Contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.

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