"Tattoo" by Jordin Sparks
Reviewed by: Krystal Burns
Note: We focus on reviewing songs, and therefore cannot comment on the appropriateness of the album in its entirety. Please use your best judgment whenever purchasing or listening to music.
The Artist
Just as everyone is gearing up for the next season of “American Idol,” the latest and debatably greatest winner has released a chart-worthy song. But Jordin Sparks is no stranger to the music industry. Before getting a jump start from Simon Cowell, she toured with Michael W. Smith and even won the Gospel Music Association Spotlight Award in 2004. As a well-known Christian and activist, Jordin has also performed at countless pro-life rallies, as well as at the funeral of Christian soldier and former NFL player Pat Tillman.
Her name suits her well; the girl has sparks! It’s encouraging to see such a young starlet so outspoken about her faith and beliefs. Hopefully she will continue to be a strong role model in the entertainment industry for years to come.
The Album
“Tattoo” was released as a single in September of this year following a series of other singles. Under a new record label now, my guess is this is a taste of a pop album in the makings. The good news is that, unlike her previous releases, this one seems to be holding its own on the music charts and stylistically bears a lot of similarities to other current hit songs.
The Song
While the lyrics are a little cheesy at times, “Tattoo” is a refreshingly light, clean, romantic song. It’s not a metaphor, like Carrie Underwood’s hit “Jesus Take the Wheel,” so I’m not going to try to read too much into it.
The song is an apparent tribute to an ex-boyfriend. Jordin sings about being hurt by love. The relationship was unhealthy -- “Soul is in danger/ I gotta let my spirit be free . . . I loved you once/ needed protection” -- so she’s finally mustered the strength and will power to say good-bye. Yet she admits that their relationship has impacted her. In the chorus she explains, “You’re still a part of everything I do/ You’re on my heart just like a tattoo/ Just like a tattoo/ I’ll always have you.”
One truth evident in the song is that we are marked by our experiences, especially our relationships with people. If anything, the idea of being “tattooed” by someone else should make us want to be careful about who we let into our hearts. Choose friends and girlfriends/boyfriends wisely, because they will leave a lasting impression on your life.
Solomon put it this way: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
But perhaps a more important application of the song is to ask yourself what kind of mark you’re leaving on people around you. What are you like at home with your family? How do you treat your friends and people who aren’t your friends? If we think back, we can all remember good and bad things we’ve done to leave our mark on other people’s lives.
John 13:34-35 says, “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples -- when they see the love you have for each other.” (The Message)
So What Do You Think?
1. If you watch “American Idol,” did you vote for Jordin Sparks?
2. Would you ever get a real tattoo? Why or why not?
3. Who are some of the people that have left marks on you?
4. What are some positive impressions you know you’ve left on others? Negative?
5. What can you do to help make amends with people you have hurt?