Cass Harris is back for another installment of Theme Songs!

So we’re back to talk about “Setting the Curve,” the theme song for the 2002 theme of the same name. It was based around the scripture from I Timothy 4:12 where Paul urges Timothy to be strong in his youth. He tells him to set “an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith,  and in purity” (ESV). What a great way to empower a young believer! You can actually be an example to the mature in faith. I like this because it encourages us to take responsibility for our actions.

So when I sat down to write “Setting the Curve,” my main goal was to create a song a little more upbeat than the previous. I still basically used the accompanying scripture passages as lyrics with the exception of the chorus: “I am young. I am free. No one can look down on me. I’m setting the curve for life. I’ll live my life so all can see just what God can do through me…” It was more of an interpretation of what Paul was getting at.

We recorded the original camp video version up at Fellowship Bible Church, Lowell, in the old student center and tracked the vocals in the Prayer Chapel at New Life. This was the first of many recordings we did on home recording equipment. I believe we used a MOTU digital interface. This was also the first of many looooong nights trying to learn the song and get the equipment to work while playing the song correctly at the same time! Easier said than done. We did the best we could with what we had. I was always a little frustrated with the final result. When we played the song next to any professionally recorded cd, it sounded really dark and quiet. There was no life in the recording. Thinking back, I can’t remember my rational for not using a recording studio except maybe for the cost.

When we recorded “Setting the Curve” for the album, we basically played it exactly the same as the original. I used my Gibson ES-335 and a Gibson SG for the guitars and I think Chris used his Fender Jazz bass. It’s a pretty straight forward song so there’s not much frill. I think the only difference in the recordings (besides the quality of sounds) is that I didn’t say “curve for life” over and over at the end.

And just to set the record straight, when we sang this in Chapel so many years ago, an unnamed Counselor  added a clapping part during the chorus. In case anyone from that summer was wondering… yes, the scowl on my face was real. I did not like that clap.