Fantasia Barrino
Album: I Believe Single
Song: I Believe
Reviewed by: Krystal Burns
The Band
After grueling weeks of spotlights and nervous twitches, Fantasia Barrino became the third “American Idol” champ, following in the footsteps of Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard. While Fantasia was clearly judge Simon’s favorite from the start, she was nearly voted off twice and only won the competition by a marginal one percent. At only 19, the single mom turned superstar hopes to be an example for “young, single moms, and anyone who has a dream.” She recently released her first single, which will be followed by an album in the fall.
The Music
The “I Believe”/ “Chain of Fools” double-sided single was released at the end of June. It immediately hit the top of the charts and sold 142,000 copies in the first week. While that is impressive, it doesn’t live up to the precedence set by second season’s first runner up Clay Aiken, whose first single sold 393,000 in its first week. The songs on the single also include “A Fool in Love” and “Summertime.”
THe Song
“I Believe” was co-written by Tamyra Gray, first season finalist. The song is basically saying that if you believe in your dreams, they will come true, inspired by yours truly, “American Idol.” No doubt when finalists go from average Joe to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, they’re more than a little awe stuck. Like any successful feel-good song, it makes references to magic, pots of gold, and shooting stars. And, funnily enough, fellow “American Idol” finalist Diana DeGarmo has released a three-song single that includes her own version of “I Believe.” No points of originality there.
While the song succeeds in being encouraging and uplifting, it falls apart philosophically. For example one line says, “Cause anything is possible/ when you believe.” This implies that you have to believe in order for something to happen. Two lines later, the song says, “Now I finally realize/ I’ve waited all my life for this moment to arrive/ And finally I believe.” Now it seems to be saying that she believes because something did happen. These lines contradict each other, so they can’t both be true. Which is it?
Furthermore, the whole idea that something can happen just because you believe in it is questionable at best. Don’t get me wrong; it would be great if it were true. But life isn’t perfect, and even the Bible doesn’t promise that we will always get what we want, especially if it’s not what God wants. On the contrary God says, “In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33). In other passages were told that we will suffer and be persecuted—just look at the lives of the disciples.
On the upside, the cool thing is that when our hearts are in line with God’s and his goals become our goals, then God does use us to do the impossible. The apostle Paul knew he could suffer under any living conditions. He confidently wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Colossians 4:13). God doesn’t give us strength to do whatever we want, but he does give us strength to glorify him. David was another man who wanted to serve God more than anything else. He wrote, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). If we truly love God, then our desires become more and more like his desires. We won’t want what the world wants, only what God gives us. And Matthew 17:20 tells us that when you serve God and do what he asks “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you.”
So overall “I Believe” is a nice song, but don’t base your life on it. Put your faith in God, not your dreams, and you won’t be disappointed.
So What Do You Think?
1. In your opinion, is “American Idol” a fair competition?
2. If you could be anything you wanted, what would you be?
3. Have you ever had a dream come true?
4. What does it mean to take a verse out of its context and why do we
do it?