David Bazan - Hard To Be

[kurtzee01]

who the *&%$ could dislike this?! 

[halsteadunlimited]

:( i rather listen to that then the doorbells and knocking in the back ground

[kcfromslo]

Missed him last night. =[

[nephisha]

He's so amazing! I love this song!



[nephisha]

He's so amazing! I love this song!

[nephisha]

He's so amazing! I love this song

[QuincyDistribution]

Ponder the weight of an apple / compared to the trouble were in."

[PotatoDonki]

Dave Bazan came to my school yesterday and played a 13 song set for an audience of 65, which I was lucky enough to be a part of. He's an excellent performer and a really nice guy. I'm so glad I got to meet him.

[Bakersfieldsucks777]

@PotatoDonki -wow what school do you go to? haha.

[PotatoDonki]

@Bakersfieldsucks777 I went to an art school in Tacoma, WA.

[Bakersfieldsucks777]

@PotatoDonki -sweet ur lucky haha

[rschauland]

I wish he did living room shows around here. I saw him at a bar with the full (and great) band, so I guess I can't complain.

[armandahammer]

It's not about graduation it's about life after graduation. "Hard to be a decent human being." == not just about graduation. Before you graduate you aint gotta worry bout shit. Then shit gets real. Kind of obvious but still true

[Hycistani]

@armandahammer I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't this song or any part of this album is literally about graduating. It seems to me to be a much more abstract song, like virtually every album David Bazan has been associated with, about the passivity that has been created in the relations between people. While it may be simple it is certainly not about graduating high school or some such stupidity its probably just about the banality of evil.

[blakestano]

@Hycistani Oh sorry...i was only responding to four other people (rosies2008, passerby500, jproxursoxoff, redemption15) who are also talking about what it has to do with graduation. But no...since he mentions the word "graduation" repeatedly in this song...im sure it has nothing to do...with graduation.

[blakestano]

@Hycistani And also my first words were "it's not about graduation". You're life before graduation, for the most part, is pre-constructed, and then suddenly you have to face the absurdity of the world on your own. I'm not sure why you think life after graduation or "the real world" is mutually exclusive from what he talks about in this song or "the banality of evil".

[rosies2008]

Damion Suomi covered this song at TWLOHA's Heavy and Light show. It was amazing.

This is an incredible song.

[Duckfooted]

His voice was really strong in this performance.

[redemption15]

this song really shows where david is at in his life. "Knowing after graduation

There would be no going back

And no congratulations

From my faithful family"

[vincentredbull]

Nice song but I don't understand this song text: 2:11 I swung my tassel to the left side of my cap.

?? what does this mean?

[TXagnostic]

It's what you do after you graduate - part of a high school or university graduation ceremony.

[vincentredbull]

Tanx!

[Ulisesb]

someone obviously never graduated.

[vincentredbull]

it's not really a dutch tradition, and i didn't know it was called: swung the tassel. I still don't know what a tassel or a swung is but i do know the handling.

[Ulisesb]

Swung means Schwung. Tassel is Troddel or Quaste.

[jproxursoxoff]

After you graduate, you move the tassel on your cap (apart of your cap and gown) from the right side to the left.

[passerby500]

@vincentredbull

during graduations the tassel starts on the right side but once you get your diploma you switch it to the left

just a graduation ceremony thing

[rosies2008]

its about graduation.

when you graduate, you swing your tassel to the left side of your cap.

[7holymoly777]

I'm glad to see an honest and kind conversation on YouTube!

I hold no truths. And thus no proof. That is were faith comes in. Mike, you are an intelligent person and ask good questions. My humble suggestion is to "look for God." Read all you can, with an open mind and heart.

Until recently I had been away from God (and myself). But I think He called me back at this time, when I was more ready.

Anyway, we cannot know His plans for us.

You might want to check out Thomas Merton (& his books).

brad

[jakestonet]

Beautiful song. Such a sad, moving set of chords - I've been wondering why he gave it such a different tone from the others of a similar theme. There are several on there about original sin, etc., and they're more upbeat - even mocking at times. But this one makes me want to cry, esp. the studio version. Easily my favorite on the album.

[worldsworstjukebox]

Religion is poison. I'm glad David has finally realized it and is getting beyond the sickness.

[standup4TRUTH111]

You talk as if you're not religious. I think that is one of the biggest lies that people put out there. That religion is about believing in some kind of god. Religion is a lifestyle. It's whatever that drives you in life. Whether that be money, sex, drugs, or even family. Those are your gods that you serve and put your faith in. Everybody is religious.

[worldsworstjukebox]

I'm sorry, you're wrong. Go look up the words "religion" and "religious" and you'll see why. Indulging in money, sex, drugs, family, roller coasters, coffee, gambling, hang gliding, scuba diving, travel, hair styles, cooking, work, or whatever else you want to add is not religion.

[standup4TRUTH111]

I'm curious then. Do you believe a person can live their life without a sense of purpose or motivation?

[worldsworstjukebox]

Absolutely, just as a person can live their life WITH a sense of purpose or motivation. What in the world does that have to do with a god? There are plenty of people who don't believe in any gods who live lives with purpose and motivation. It has nothing to do with a god of any kind.

[standup4TRUTH111]

I don't think people who say that they live without any purpose or meaning aren't consistent with that claim. Even athiest who don't believe in a god search for some purpose in their lives. They seek to be wealthy, to have a family, to have great reputations etc... Every action that you do is done is out of some kind of motivation. Every single living person devotes themselves to something or someone in hope to gain some kind of satisfaction. I believe that that thing or person is their god.

[standup4TRUTH111]

By the way my name is Jeff. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my comments. I also appreciate your honesty. My goal is not come across as some self righteous person who thinks they have all the answers. I just have a conviction to tell others about the truth that comes God's word and about the good news for those who don't trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

[worldsworstjukebox]

Hi Jeff, I'm Mike.

I've read most of the Bible. Many others in this world have, too, and yet we haven't been stricken with the enlightenment you claim to have as a result of it. What is it we're missing that you have been able to stumble upon? Why is it we can read it and it doesn't do a thing for us? I have no problem with the concept of belief, and I'd believe in a second if I was convinced the Bible is true, but the fact is I'm not. What special insight do you have on it?

[worldsworstjukebox]

I agree with everything you've written here, except for the bit about it "being their god," but that may just be semantics. When I talk of "a god" I'm specifically referring to the idea of a singular entity, a being, an intelligent force that is "the creator." (This is the "god" that atheists don't believe in.) You are defining "god" as anything that someone passionately pursues. I feel that just waters down the idea of "a god," but I can understand what you are getting at.

[standup4TRUTH111]

Thanks for understanding my point. I cant take any credit for where I get my reasoning from. The Bible talks about in Romans chapt 1 that everyone believes in God but they push down the truth in their sin. God has revealed the proof of His existence by the creation that we are exposed to seeing everyday. Even though people know him they dont give him any thanks or honor Him. Instead they exchange the truth about God for a lie and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator."

[worldsworstjukebox]

You do realize that just because a book says something's true it doesn't make it true, right? It's interesting how Christians will quote scripture in order to back up their belief, as if that's the be all end all proof. Consider:

"We will show them our proofs in the horizons, as well as within, until they realize that this is the truth. Is your Lord not sufficient witness of all things?"

That's from The Qur'an. Two competing holy books that both claim they're the way. How to choose?

[standup4TRUTH111]

It's sad to see how most people don't get the whole picture of what happened in the Garden. We always like the idea that we are the victim of God's "evil schemes."

[sundownscreamer]

Im not sure you get the whole picture of what David is writing here. If you listen to the whole "Curse Your Branches" album, you will se that he is very confused and questioning God because it is such an odd thing to have the faith we have. He is by no means undermining the events of the garden, he is a brilliant man and Im positive he definately understands all that happened, he is just really questioning his faith.

[standup4TRUTH111]

You're probably right but if he truly knew what happened on the garden he wouldn't need to doubt. In this song he takes that story and makes it look like a fairy tale. You get the feeling from this song that we are the victims of the fall when it's really us who are to blame for all of the madness that goes on in the world. The song "When we fell" reinforces that because he clearly blames God for what happened on the fall.

[sundownscreamer]

You are right in how the song sounds, thats why he wrote it like that. I think its a good thing to asks these questions whether if we are doubting our faith or not. I think we all have these questions and David is just the one who was willing to come out and say them. I think his album is something I really needed to help me in my faith, not saying thats why he wrote it but it has made me ask questions and try to understand why things happened like they did.

[standup4TRUTH111]

That's great that you are asking questions. I just want people like yourself to know that those questions are answered in the bible. I beg you to read Romans 5:12-21. It won't only answer your questions but it will point you to someone who will give you the peace your restless heart has been searching for.

[bourne16]

who wrote that passage?

[standup4TRUTH111]

The Apostle Paul.

[jakestonet]

I don't like that idea... It's not an easy thing to figure out - and it's generally a terrible idea to try and pigeonhole people with made up psychological crap. Especially when you're arguing that God is love.

[standup4TRUTH111]

God is love but He's also holy. Meaning He's without sin and infinitely unique. The whole message of the Garden is that man rebelled against God therefore sin came into the world which is why we suffer. We are to blame for our misery. I sympathize with Bazan but he doesn't understand the whole picture. Inspite of our hatred towards God, He gave what we didn't deserve which is salvation. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only solution to our problem with our sin.

[utopianquilts]

dude.. bazan has my former shoes. now i know who jacked those.

[chagrin28]

People who sing along at house shows make me want to punch a baby

[boytruck]

Stop singing along you goddamn dorks.

[sherpa141]

Yeah. Just doesn't seem appropriate at a house show. However, everyone singing along with Priest and Paramedics in Denton, 2006, was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. But that was at a venue ... not at someone's house with everyone sitting on the floor. Weird.

[rndfunction]

@boytruck How did you know?!

[thnknde]

@boytruck I'd say assholes. If it were in a venue and his voice were deafening it would be different. I can't stand when people do that.

[uke52]

@boytruck seriously... that shit always pisses me off, nobody wants to hear your ass, i paid to hear the goddamn singer

[bullet2binary]

amazing.......

[IfILefttheZoo]

Awesome.

[jeremylduke]

I missed it too! What the hell.

[chrismatallana]

i can't believe i missed this show. ARGH.

[forgetcompletely]

what are the lyrics?

[thesweetestdirge]

I love how we all know the words before the album is even out. Thanks information age, for birthing YouTube from your tortured womb. Really, it ruins everything.

[larsweit]

Haha, I know what you mean. Sometimes it can be a good thing though! Especially if recordings like this are encouraged by the artist!

[jonblizzair]

sweet dude... will you be posting more? i was at the show as well...

[larsweit]

That was such a good show.

[neil7hedeal]

i was sitting right next to you!