How Dare You to Move Sparked a Ripple Effect That’s Still Going
Photo by yours truly :)
I’m a firm believer in the power of words and the lasting impact they have on people. This belief led me to become a writer and shaped the way I view the world. It fuels my passions and makes me a lover of storytelling in every form—books, movies, TV shows, and music. Music has a unique way of weaving words and emotions into something that transcends time and space, connecting people in ways we can’t always explain. It’s this love for storytelling that has also driven me into a career in marketing and communications—because stories, when told well, have the power to inspire action, change lives, and leave ripples far beyond what we can see.
In 2023, my husband and I found out that Switchfoot was working on a special project to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Beautiful Letdown. This album has always held a special place in my heart. One of my favorite movies growing up was A Walk to Remember, and to this day, I still tear up when I hear Dare You to Move or Only Hope in that film. The story itself was beautiful, but Switchfoot’s music made it even better. I stand by that statement.
When Switchfoot was starting out, I don’t think they could have fully grasped just how big they would become. Their music is a mix of rock and alternative, bridging the gap between faith and mainstream artistry, proving that deep, meaningful songs can thrive in popular culture without being watered down. Their authenticity, poetic songwriting, and willingness to wrestle with life’s biggest questions have inspired a wave of artists who carried that same passion into their own work.
The Beautiful Letdown is not just an album; it’s a soundtrack to the high’s and low’s of life, a collection of songs that challenge and inspire us to dream bigger, live braver, and move forward—even when the road feels uncertain and long. For the anniversary project, Switchfoot invited a diverse group of artists to cover songs from the album, breathing new life into these iconic tracks and proving their timeless relevance. They chose artists they were fans of, and the list was so perfect.
Artists like Relient K, Twenty One Pilots, Owl City, Jon Bellion, and the Jonas Brothers reimagined tracks from The Beautiful Letdown, showcasing just how far-reaching Switchfoot’s influence has been. What made it even more special was hearing each artist share how much the album meant to them and how it influenced their own journey in music. It was truly a celebration with every artist covering each track. One of my favorite bands is Twenty One Pilots, and hearing lead singer Tyler Joseph cover Twenty-Four was everything to me. He made it his own—it felt like a song he had written himself, and I still haven’t gotten over it.
I want to take the time to talk specifically about Dare You to Move. Out of all the Switchfoot songs, this is the one everyone knows. I remember loving this song growing up, even though I didn’t fully understand its meaning at the time. As I’ve grown older, the lyrics have really moved me and shaped the way I look at life. This song has always felt like a call to action—to rise up and face whatever life throws at you.
Here’s a fun story about Dare You to Move: When it was released over 20 years ago, Ryan Tedder (lead singer of OneRepublic and fellow Oral Roberts University alum) heard it and decided to move to LA to pursue music and start the band OneRepublic. That song gave him the courage to go for it and not look back. OneRepublic would go on to get signed, and later be dropped by their label. They would then release their song Apologize on MySpace, where it blew up and went viral. Suddenly, every major label wanted to sign them—including the one that had let them go.
Ryan talking about Dare You to Move and the impact it made on his life.
Ryan Tedder has since become one of the most successful songwriters and producers in the industry, working with artists like:
Tate McRae
Jonas Brothers
Miley Cyrus
Taylor Swift
Justin Bieber
Jelly Roll
Adele
Beyoncé
Maroon 5
Kelly Clarkson
And many more. His influence on modern music is undeniable—and you could say Dare You to Move set it all in motion. That’s why it felt so full circle when Switchfoot asked Ryan to cover the song for the reimagined album. Knowing his backstory made it even more meaningful.
The point I’m trying to make is this: Somewhere out there, someone is depending on you to walk in your calling and use the gifts God has given you. You never know what you might create or do that inspires someone to keep going. Switchfoot is that band for so many people. They’ve influenced countless artists, but they’ve also inspired people like me—people who feel incredibly ordinary.
Each of us carries gifts within us, whether in music, writing, business, leadership, or any other creative or personal endeavor. The challenge is that we often don’t see the full impact of our work in the moment. What if Switchfoot had never shared their music? What if they had let fear, doubt, or uncertainty keep them from using their voice and releasing these incredible songs? The artists they influenced might never have found their own voices in the same way. The millions who found hope in their lyrics might have missed out on a message that changed their lives.
What if Ryan Tedder had never taken a chance and moved to LA? All the songs he wrote and produced for the artists I mentioned above wouldn’t exist. We never would’ve gotten Greedy by Tate McRae if Ryan hadn’t been around to push her to release it (true story). Half the songs from the Jonas Brothers comeback album Happiness Begins would’ve never existed without Ryan.
We may never fully understand the reach of our talents and gifts. Every song written, every book published, every podcast episode released, every word spoken in encouragement carries the potential to spark something far greater than we can see. Think of who you could inspire with your gifts. The ripple effect of your obedience and passion could truly make an impact beyond what you can think or imagine.
I want to challenge you for a minute: What is your Dare You to Move moment? What’s that dream, goal, or challenge that’s been tugging at your heart? Maybe it’s starting a new project, putting youtseld out there, chasing a long-forgotten dream, or simply having the courage to take the first step toward change. Whatever it is, I’m here to encourage you to take action. The world needs your voice, your passion, and YOU to make it happen.
The gifts God has placed inside you were never meant to stay hidden. They were meant to be used—to inspire, to uplift, and to create ripples that extend beyond our lifetime.
My absolute favorite version of this song and you’ll see why. This is on constant loop on my Spotify. Enjoy <3