When the average music listener discovers Switchfoot, they are unlikely to realize the incredible treasure hunt they're becoming a part of. In the process of exploring the rich, nearly two decade long Switchfoot discography, fans may uncover frontman Jon Foreman's solo releases as well as Fiction Family, Jon's folk-meets-classic-rock side project with Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek).

Unsurprisingly perhaps given the sheer volume of music he releases, Jon Foreman has been known to go through periods of time writing a song every single day. In their initial days of life, the songs might not be immediately pinned down to one of his musical canvasses. Long before they're recorded into a permanent studio state for one of his three acts, many of Jon Foreman's songs' first home is quite different: the curbsides, public parks, bridges and coffee shops where he hosts his informal aftershows.

Fan recordings and phone videos of these performances quietly spread across YouTube, often providing a breadcrumb trail to see how a song develops over the years. Many tracks previously only presented in that raw setting finally found a home this summer through The Wonderlands, Jon Foreman's four EP epic of light and dark. But for the die-hard listeners, the aftershow attendees and the internet junkies, there are still a few favorites that continue to exist in limbo. Only time will tell whether or not these songs will be officially recorded in years to come, but for now, here are my personal picks for the five best Jon Foreman songs that have yet to be officially recorded.

1. "Running From Me"
Standout lyric: "I said I needed room to breathe, I said I needed to break free. Well all that's true, thought I was running from You, turns out I was running from me."
 
There is no existing full length recording of this song, which was performed at a few select appearances in 2007. The song itself is musically in the tradition of Jon Foreman classic "Resurrect Me," although "Running From Me" features more unapologetically on-edge lyrics. The song asks some of the harder questions of a faith journey, balanced between doubt and desperate belief. Instantly memorable, this is a melody that sticks despite only being heard through rough live recordings.

2. "Light and Heavy"
Standout lyric: "On my pilgrimage, I'm traveling light with a heavy heart. On my pilgrimage, I'm traveling light and heavy, light and heavy, light and heavy. This is my torch to carry..."
 
One of the best-known unrecorded Jon Foreman songs debuted, appropriately enough given the title, at To Write Love On Her Arms' annual Heavy and Light event in 2009. The name of the event itself was inspired in part by a piece of art in Jon Foreman's home that TWLOHA founder Jamie Tworkowski noticed while visiting, making the song a fitting full circle moment.

The thoughtful, lonely-leaning tune was written in memory of a personal friend of Jon Foreman's. It captures the tension between the light and dark moments in life and a soul's search for home. 

3. "Wish I Could Change"
Standout lyric: "You've been holding on to the bitter burning, forgive yourself and let the seasons turn."
   
A plethora of new Jon Foreman tunes surfaced between 2010 and 2012, and "Wish I Could Change" is one of them. The song focuses on autumnal imagery to explore the death of our past as we move into healing, employing some of the most vivid, poetic language we have ever heard from Jon. The end result is wistful and yearning, but ultimately hopeful. 

4. "Joy Is Your Birthmark"
Standout lyric: "'Cause I see your smiling face even in these dying days. I believe in grace redeeming the lost cause, 'cause I've seen it in your eyes. We are miracles come to life-- these are signs in my mind that point to a good God."
 
This tender tune is also deeply poetic, structured almost like a lullaby. The simple, muted guitar part and soft melody shape a song that speaks of seeing miracles in another person's eyes. The themes are similar to those served in songs like "You Don't Know How Beautiful You Are," but the approach here is more vulnerable and personal. The song is simultaneously soothing and soul-stirring.

5. "First Light"
Standout lyric: "Take your heart and set it free, take the weight off these shoulders. Most of life ain't what you see with your eyes... The sunlight finds you when it's time, the moon will fade over the waters. The fears you had will leave your mind at first light."
 
This song, which also found its way onto a few setlists in 2012, is perhaps one of the most unabashedly hopeful songs in Jon Foreman's catalog. The track soars through a beautiful melody in the chorus, and although it was always performed in a stripped back setting, this could easily be reenvisioned as a fleshed out full band piece. Like many of Jon's songs, this one has lyrics that could be read on their own as a poem, but the melody only serves to aid the listener in further internalizing their redemptive tone.

For more information on any of these songs, visit approved Switchfoot fansite Land of Broken Hearts, to whom I owe assistance with lyrics and more Switchfoot trivia than I could possibly quantify.