Ben Rector is an immensely talented singer, songwriter who lives in Nashville with his wife. It is on his newest album “Something Like This” that I discovered “Song for the Suburbs.” It is an incredibly catchy tune, but it is the message being communicated that really resonated with many of the things we write about and discuss here on this blog.
Through Ben’s Twitter account I asked him if he would be willing to answer a few questions about “Song for the Suburbs.” He has graciously agreed to do so.
Missional in Suburbia: Thanks a ton for being willing to answer a few questions for us! Tell us a little about yourself and what you are up to these days.
Ben Rector: I’ve got a little bit of a break from touring, so right now I’m just enjoying being home in Nashville. I try to write daily when I’m home so I’m working on that and soaking up some normal life.
Missional in Suburbia: On your new album “Something Like This” you sing a song entitled “Song for the Suburbs.” In the song you write these lyrics, “Cause I wanna live/Until I die/Don’t let devil bury me alive/When my heart stops let me go home/Don’t let the suburbs kill my heart and soul.” Just so you know, I really like the song! Tell us what you see in the burbs that leads to a person “being buried alive?”
Ben Rector: I grew up in the suburbs. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them. What the suburbs symbolize in that song is American prosperity. I know there are lots of needy people in America, but there are also plenty of people with all their needs met and surpassed. While that’s a wonderful thing, I think it’s really easy for that to be dangerous. I see so many people who seem to have slowly bought into the “American Dream”, working a job they don’t care about to buying things they don’t need, not really living for or working towards anything of substance. I can feel that pull in my own life. It’s really natural for me to make my world smaller and more comfortable, and I think it’s important to keep growing, learning new things, being a better spouse and family member and friend.
Missional in Suburbia: Continuing the line of thought from the previous question. What are some ways that you personally try to keep the suburbs from killing your heart and soul?
Ben Rector: I know I’m in a unique situation and that it just isn’t possible for everyone’s profession to be their passion, or even something they enjoy. I don’t think there’s anything wrong at all with earning a living and providing for a family. However, I think it’s so important to continue to dream, to constantly reevaluate whether your life is about what you want it to be about, if your relationships are healthy, if you’re still becoming who you want to be. I know no one can keep from growing old, but the thought of growing up sometimes scares me. Not to say I want to be irresponsible or careless, but I just don’t ever want to lose the passion I started out with.
Missional in Suburbia: You can put this question under the category of “not very original.” But I am genuinely interested in what you think. In what ways do you see your Christian faith impacting the music you write and sing?
Ben Rector: I think anything that’s in your heart and mind leaks out into into whatever you’re doing, in big ways and small. I try not to get in the way of letting that happen.
