Let Justice Rock
Switchfoot puts the message of John Perkins in “The Sound”
Jon Foreman has studied the American civil rights movement. So, when the Switchfoot front man read Let Justice Roll Down, he was shocked to hear John Perkins’ story for the first time.
“How have I never heard of him before,” says Foreman, who was recording “Hello Hurricane” at the time. “John Perkins is a hero whose name needs to be known.”
So, Foreman began writing “The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues)” right in the studio.
“I didn’t want to tell history or plot out events,” Foreman says. “I wanted to make an impressionistic sketch of how his story affected me.”
The music starts soft and crescendos in volume and urgency as it alludes to the United States’ haunted past. Then in the middle of the song Foreman sings, “John Perkins said it right. Love is the final fight.” And there’s a sense that love is louder than hate’s racket.
“Hatred gives birth to hatred and violence gives birth to violence,” Foreman says. “John Perkins’ words have so much power because ultimately the voice of love is speaking through him.”
While the song may not tell the complete story about Perkins, it does suggest that it’s worth discovering. We agree. Pick up a copy of Let Justice Roll Down and let Perkins tell you his story himself.
Listen to the sound at myspace.com/switchfoot
Switchfoot just completed their seventh studio album, Hello Hurricane, which includes a song about John Perkins.
Who is John Perkins?
It’s OK. Maybe you find yourself in the same place that Jon Foreman used to be. You don’t know John Perkins, famous civil rights leader and partner in SPU’s John Perkins Center. Here’s help.Read Let Justice Roll Down, Perkins’ moving autobiography.
Watch the trailer for SPU’s upcoming documentary, Let Justice Roll On: The Life and Legacy of John M. Perkins.
Download his lectures for free at spu.edu/itunes.
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