When I first heard the music of Jon Bellion, it was as if I was put under a spell. I first clicked on the acoustic version of "All Time Low" when I was browsing YouTube during a dull night, while sitting alone in my dorm room. The resonance of Jon Bellion’s voice and the incredible atmosphere he created for his music was refreshing. It lacked the stereotypical repetitive lyrics, which in my opinion, plague popular music. And with one song I was hooked.
I spent the next several days searching the Internet for any songs I could find. I listened and relistened. Anytime I got out of class, I quickly pulled out my earbuds so I could hear his music. I couldn’t listen to anything else for several days. All other music seemed dim in comparison to Jon Bellion’s incredible music. For anyone who hasn’t heard his music, they probably assume I have been drugged and accidentally joined a cult…. But I promise I haven’t. Let me explain.
1. His lyrics are poetic and relatable.
Never have I encountered an artist who has been able to capture my attention on every song. It has always been my belief that if someone loves every song on an album, they are too blinded by an artist to truly hear the music. But Jon Bellion was able to mesmerize me nine times out of ten. Lyrics like “I always fear that I’m not living right” (Human), “Pray with me that I won’t lose my soul in the luxury” (Luxury), “Never learned how to love cause the answers are stuck behind closed doors” (LIFE), “I’m trying to figure this out but my God, I’m so human” (Ungrateful Eyes), “I guess if I knew His plans I guess He wouldn’t be God” (Maybe IDK), “I’ve been trying to keep up with all of these great expectations so I keep on faking” (Morning in America) portray the life of a young adult in this era. We are trying so hard to prove ourselves, but remain true to the child inside, but also pretending we are adult enough to handle the stress suffocating us.
2. He produces all of his own music.
If you don’t believe me, check out his YouTube channel. Jon Bellion not only produces all of his music, but also uploads videos of himself mixing his music. He is passionate about his music, but he also understands that his life is limited, so he hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians- just as several artists did for him. All of these videos show Jon Bellion recording all the background vocals and how he builds the layers behind his vocals. Even though I have no dream to become a producer, I’ve watched all of these videos because it’s incredible to see a modern musician doing everything themselves.
3. He refuses to let the fame change him.
When Jon Bellion was in college he met some of his best friends and people who greatly influenced his music. While still in college, before being famous, Jon and his friends promised that if any of them made it, they would quit their jobs and help that guy. Well when Jon Bellion’s success grew and he began planning his first tour, guess who he called? That’s right. The same guys who he made a promise to years ago. You can actually find out who these guys are in Jon Bellion's Beautiful Mind Documentary. If that’s not enough to convince you then here’s something else- Jon Bellion lives with his parents. He still takes out the trash. Even though he could buy a few houses with the money he’s made, he’d rather stay in the same neighborhood he grew up in and play basketball with the same guys from high school.
I realize I only gave you three reasons but believe me, I could have given you a million. Jon Bellion’s music has changed my life. It has forced me to fix myself before I try to fix the world. It voices the rage I feel with this “human condition” of always searching for something without knowing its true identity. His songs show me that I’m not alone in wondering the reason for life and missing family and the complicated happenings of relationships. But in the end, he expresses the true purpose of his songs and actions: we each have a "Beautiful Mind" and are plagued by the "Human Condition." We will always be searching for purpose, love, or something but we will never find what we are looking for until we look towards each other.
