Although I don’t know very much about Ben Rector or his music, I’m familiar with his song “Brand New.” Yes, I realize this song is about a decade old, but I think the lyrics are worth analyzing. Truth be told, it’s not simply a lighthearted song about feeling young and falling in love.
Back to Childhood
I feel like new sunglasses, like a brand new pair of jeans
I feel like taking chances, I feel a lot like seventeen
I feel like windows rolled down, new city, streets and cabs
I feel like anything can happen, laughing,
You take me right back, when we were kids
Never thought I’d feel like this
The first verse of “Brand New” seems sweet and innocent. Ben describes how he feels when he’s with a certain girl. In short, she makes him feel brand new. He hasn’t experienced this positive feeling in a long time, but when he’s with her, he experiences it again.
I’m not really bothered by anything in the first verse. (That’s more than I can say for most songs.) But before you get too excited, let’s move on to the chorus.
Without a Care in the World
Like when I close my eyes and don’t even care if anyone sees me dancing
Like I can fly, and don’t even think of touching the ground
Like a heartbeat skip, like an open page
Like a one way trip on an aeroplane
It’s the way that I feel when I’m with you, brand new
Brand new
As someone who isn’t a good dancer and doesn’t enjoy dancing in public, I find the chorus’ first line extremely relatable. Apparently, the girl in this song—whoever she is—makes Ben feel so “brand new” that he can dance freely, without caring what people might think about him. And if the song continued heading in the direction of “we should have confidence in who we are and what we believe rather than worrying about what other people think,” I could probably provide a positive review for it.
However, the song heads in a different direction. In fact, as it continues, it becomes clearer and clearer that the “brand new” feeling Ben frequently mentions is simply a synonym for “carefree.” And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with feeling carefree, being carefree is unwise (and unbiblical).
Ben’s First Mistake
I feel like a young John Cusack, like making big mistakes
I feel like for the first time in a long time I am not afraid
I feel like a kid, never thought it’d feel like this
Do you remember when I wrote about “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” by Shawn Mendes? Well, something that bothers me about that song bothers me about “Brand New” by Ben Rector: Both Shawn and Ben talk about falling for girls who (seemingly) influence them in negative ways, not positive ways. These girls (seemingly) encourage them to throw caution to the wind.
To be honest, I had to look up John Cusack because I wasn’t familiar with him. (He’s an actor, by the way.) Although I still don’t understand the “like a young John Cusack” reference in the second verse, but I do understand that “making big mistakes” is what Ben wants to do, thanks to the girl he likes. And that sounds pretty messy to me. Honestly, she sounds pretty messy to me.
Time for a Brand New Boo
Before I close, I want to mention a few positive things about “Brand New.” I appreciate that the lyrics aren’t vulgar. There are no mentions of sex, alcohol, or drugs. There are no swear words. It’s definitely not the worst song in the world.
But I didn’t review it because it’s blatantly immoral; I reviewed it because it’s subtly immoral. It doesn’t celebrate sin; it winks at sin. It encourages fearlessness—but that can quickly become recklessness and ultimately become foolishness.
Unfortunately, the girl who makes Ben feel “brand new” doesn’t sound like she has much discretion. She’s probably attractive and fun, but she’s probably not sensible or steady. It would probably be smart for Ben to find a brand new girl with brand new qualities.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. (Proverbs 11:22 ESV)
Lyrics from AZ Lyrics.
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