This song is almost certainly referencing the story of Jesus fasting in the wilderness for 40 days and nights, recounted in Biblical Gospels Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1–13, and frequently referred to today as the Temptation of Christ. In that story, Jesus is in the Judean desert and is tempted by the Devil with all sorts of goodies, but he refuses every one.
The Call – I Still Believe
Hopin’ these waves
Don’t cover me
I’m turned and tossed
Upon the waves
When the darkness comes
I feel the grave
But I still believe
I still believe
Through the cold
And the heat
Through the pain
And through the tears
Through the crowds
And through the cheers
Oh, I still believe
I’ll march this road
I’ll climb this hill
Down on my knees if I have to
I’ll take my place
Up on this stage
I’ll wait ’til the end of time
For you like everybody else
I’m out on my own
Walkin’ the streets
Look at the faces
That I meet
I feel like I like I want to go home
What do I feel
What do I know
But I still believe
I still believe
Through the shame
And through the grief
Through the heartache
Through the years
Through the waiting
Through the years
For people like us
In places like this
We need all the hope
That we can get
Oh, I still believe
Songfacts:
- Bodybuilding saxophonist Tim Capello’s ripped, oiled-up performance of this song in the 1987 vampire flick Lost Boys may end up standing as the definitive performance of this song. The song’s cult status has given it lasting appeal, and it continues to appeal to viewers of all ages. Early in that film, the main characters are exploring the boardwalk of fictional Santa Carla, California, when they see Capello performing on the beach, he and his raucous audience illuminated by flaming oil drums.Capello’s swollen physique and overt sexuality has long stuck in the minds of viewers, and subsequently the song “I Still Believe” is frequently mistaken as a sort of gimmick. It’s no such thing. Capello was a widely respected saxophonist who toured with the likes of Tina Turner in her peak, and his version is a passionate rendition of a heavy, philosophical song.
- It was The Call who released the song one year before it was used in Lost Boys – the song was written by their lead singer, Michael Been, and keyboard player, Jim Goodwin. The band formed in Santa Cruz, California (almost certainly an influence on at least the name of the fictional “Santa Clara” the film is based in). The Call had some success with the single, as it reached #17 on the Modern Rock chart. The group is best known for their song “Let the Day Begin” from 1989.
- The song appears to be based in Christian belief, though Jesus Christ is never mentioned by name. The first verse goes:Oh oh
I’ve been in a cave
For forty days
Only a spark
To light my way.
I want to give out
I want to give in
This is our crime
This is our sinIt’s almost certainly referencing the story of Jesus fasting in the wilderness for 40 days and nights, recounted in Biblical Gospels Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1–13, and frequently referred to today as the Temptation of Christ. In that story, Jesus is in the Judean desert and is tempted by the Devil with all sorts of goodies, but he refuses every one.After the first verse, the song deviates from representing Christ’s perspective (or at least using it as a metaphor) and seems to move to modern day. At this point, it’s frontman Michael Been’s declaration of continued faith through all the trials and temptations of life. Through the horrors of war and through “the cheers” (presumably referring to the temptations of fame and success), he still believes in something higher than the material world. - At points, the lyrics can be ambiguous, but in addition to the opening verse there are a couple lines that situate it pretty firmly as a Christian song:I’ll wait till the end of time,
For you like everybody elseMost Christians believe that there will be an End Time when this material world comes to an end and Christ returns. - In 1987, Russ Taff’s self-titled debut album of Christian music contained a rendition of this song. In 2015, the Protomen covered it on The Cover Up.