Brian Menzie | Youth Culture

3(D) Media Review: “Skyway Avenue” by We the Kings (Music Video)

Background/summary: “Skyway Avenue” was released in 2007 as We the Kings’ first debut single, to be followed by chart-toppers such as “Check Yes Juliet”, “We’ll Be a Dream” (featuring Demi Lovato), and “Say You Like Me” released in 2011. It appeared on We the Kings’ self-titled album which reached a peak US chart position of 151st (third in its category) and sold over 250,000 copies in America. The popular American pop punk band has released three albums and two EPs, and another album is due this year.

Discover: What is the message/worldview?:

 The video opens up with the teenage/young adult-aged band playing in a garage, and it goes back and forth between the band and the visual story of a guy and a girl (about the same age). The band is dressed in popular teenage clothing, with the main singer sporting a fun blue t-shirt with white clouds on it. The band appears ready for a casual and fun show (or practice).  To complement the light feeling of the band and music, the story of the guy and girl is also explained in a light and clever way. As each character thinks or says something, a cardboard cutout of a thinking cloud or a speech bubble hangs from string in the scene. When the guy’s phone rings at the beginning, a small cardboard cutout that says “(((RING)))” pops up on a stick and shakes. So far, the video seems like a harmless and fun teenage music video made with simple, low-budget materials.

 At first, the band seems to be narrating the couple’s interaction. However, upon closer examination, the two stories are very different. The story couple in the video begins with the guy asking the girl, Jill, on a date over the phone. She reluctantly agrees, and he picks her up in an old Mercedes. He comes across a bit awkward, but he is certainly interested in her. As they are playing in the park, she begins to realize that she is enjoying their time together. She mentions that she used to go there with her ex- boyfriend and even points out the bench where he dumped her. The guy is annoyed with her comments, so he takes her home. When she calls the next day, he decides not to answer, thinking to himself that “[he doesn’t] want to be her rebound.” One week later, Jill is out running past the place where they dated and comes across the guy—who had just realized that his friends were crazy and immature. He says to her, “I was just thinking about you.” She replies sarcastically, “Thinking about how you never called me back?” and smiles. She grabs his hand and they walk away together.

 All the while this cute and simple “love” story takes place, the band is singing about a very different couple. The lyrical story begins with the lines “She said let’s change our luck / This night is all we got… I’d leave it all for you… Let’s make a run tonight.” The lyrical couple is quickly differentiated from the onscreen couple—they are much closer and the girl has devised a plan. The chorus further reveals her idea. The band sings “’Cause if you jump, I will jump too/ We will fall together from the building’s ledge… We’ll say it was love/ ‘Cause I would die for you on Skyway Avenue.” During the rest of the song, the lyrical female character continues to use persuasive lines to convince her lover of her fix for all of their problems: suicide. Her proposal is in reaction to “Sweet dreams that won’t come true” and promises the feeling that they can say “We’re finally alive” as the result of killing themselves together. Brian Menzie | Youth Culture

 Because of the light-hearted appearance of the video and sound of the music, viewers may fail to notice the serious implications of the suicidal lyrics.

Discern: How does it stand in light of the biblical message/worldview?

 As we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), we are designed to be in relationship. However, to teenagers, relationships often take the place of Jesus as their savior from all of the world’s problems. In this song, the lyrics paint a picture of a teenage relationship that takes top priority for the two involved—even a priority over life itself. This false sense of unmatched euphoria in earthly relationships is a dangerous portrayal. While we are designed to be in relationship with others, no earthly relationship should come before our relationship with God. A better picture is painted by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39 where he teaches that loving God is the “first and greatest commandment” while the second one is loving your neighbors.  One truth that singer points out is the understanding that our world is not as it should be. Among other comments, he sings about “Sweet dreams that won’t come true” and stresses a need to escape from it all. This is described numerous places in the Bible, as in Isaiah 64:6, “We are all infected and impure with sin.” As Christians, however, we are not meant to run away from it all. Paul says himself that he desires “to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,” and yet he goes on to say that “it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:23-24). He wants to die (to be in heaven with Jesus), and yet he knows the importance of staying on the fallen earth longer so that he can continue to spread the good news.  A third undertone in the song should be noted. These lyrics reflect an anthem of rebellion among teenagers. The couple has no respect for anyone that may be affected by or would object to their short-sighted decision. 1 Peter 2:18-20 describes the importance and reward of submitting to authority, commanding us to “be subject to [our] masters with all respect.”

Decide: What do I do with it?  Teenagers who listen to this song (and others like it—We the Kings has several songs that portray earthly relationships as the savior for everyone’s problems) are likely to get caught up in the upbeat sound and simple video without becoming aware of the dangerous message. The song wrongly promotes relationships and depicts committing suicide with your lover as a “romantic” act. Because of this, listeners need to listen beyond the surface of a fun sound so that they are not dangerously influenced.  This video contains no inappropriate images of sexuality, drug abuse, or intense violence, so it could be shown in a school or church setting as an object for a lesson without fear of “crossing the line.”  Suicide rates in teenagers are rising, and this video could be used to introduce this serious topic in a relatable way. It is important to note to the students that the message of the song deals with the very serious and dangerous notion of suicide, and it could easily be taken for granted when hearing the casual tune or viewing the simple video.