On the title track and opening song of their fourth album, Hawk Nelson urges its listeners to Live Life Loud
That sentiment, founding member Daniel Biro notes, is "as Hawk Nelson as Hawk Nelson can be." Live Life Loud. It's not just a matter of volume, mind you; it's a philosophy. Part of living at the extreme that title suggests is embracing all of life, accepting and even celebrating a little pain and darkness and finding a way to let it enrich life.

Catchy first single "Meaning of Life" continues the search for significance, harmoniously determining to “start today for a new beginning...find a way to make a change in all of us who need to find the meaning of life." The song reminds me of some of my favorite more pop-style songs recorded by Hawk Nelson, including "From Underneath," "Everything You Ever Wanted" and "One Little Miracle."

I got the great opportunity to interview Hawk Nelson lead singer Jason Dunn about "Meaning of Life." You can listen to our entire discussion here.

Please tell me the story behind "Meaning of Life"?

"The Meaning of Life" grew out of a conversation with co-writer Matthew Gerrard, who has written songs for Hannah Montana and High School Musical. He's not a believer and I went to Los Angeles to co-write some songs with him. One day I was strumming my guitar and told him it was on my heart to write about my love for Christ and we wrote the song in about five minutes. The main message is that I’m tired of the life I’m living, I need to focus on God to find the true meaning of life.

Do you have any personal application regarding your walk as a Christian in writing the song?

Hawk Nelson recently partnered with TOMS shoes to provide shoes to children in Haiti as part of TOMS "One for One" initiative. For the band's effort, every pair of shoes purchased via Hawk Nelson's website equals a pair of shoes that TOMS donates to a child in Haiti towards the band’s ongoing involvement with the Hands & Feet Orphanage. Hawk Nelson has also partnered with TOMS to release a shoe designed by the band in the fall of 2009.

How can listeners apply that message in their walks as Christians when they listen to the song?

It was tough for me to say I was a Christian in High School. Now, it doesn’t seem to mean anything. We need to stand-out and not blend in with the crowd. We should be bold with our faith, Christians need to make a difference in our world. My friends know what I’m about and what I stand for. It’s an honor to have that responsibility.

Did you base the song on any bible verses?

Matthew 5:15-16:

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Here are the lyrics:

It only takes one to make a difference
It takes a little to change
Lets start today for a new tomorrow
Don't look back
I wont look back now

Hey yah gonna find a new beginning
Lately tired of the life I'm livin
Find a way to make a change
In the lives of all of us who need
To find the meaning of life

We run the race just to keep our distance
Our lives we must rearrange
Lets chase away all our fear and sorrow
Don't hold back
I wont hold back now

Hey yah gotta find a new beginning
Lately tired of the life I'm livin
Find a way to make a change
In the lives of all of us who need
To find the meaning of life

Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Life Life
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Life

To find the meaning..
Hey yah gotta find a new beginning
Lately I'm tired of the life I'm livin
Find a way to make a change
In the lives of all of us who need it
Today's the day don't hesitate
Everybody with me sing

Na na na na na
Na na na na na na x4

What a great song and important message for us as Christians. This song continues with the theme of songs based on the Matthew 5:16-16 passage, including "Life Light Up" by Christy Nockels and "The Lost Get Found" by Britt Nicole. We do need to stand-out like a light on a lampstand. We need to let our light shine before others to reflect on our Heavenly Father and "find a way to make a change in the lives of all of us." That’s the true "meaning of life."

You can listen to the song here.