With giant infectious melodies and occasional dalliances with prog-math and a newfound sense of whimsy, The Classic Crime is for everybody. On their new album, Vagabonds, the band pared down their songs to their most basic elements with electrifying results.

"I'm obsessed with simple songs," explains vocalist and songwriter Matt MacDonald. "Songs that don't change a lot musically but you can feel the dynamics in the melody and rhythm when you listen."

With three full length albums and thousands of miles of touring under their belts, these vagabonds sincerely hope the ride never ends.

"I would like people to remember our band as an honest band, having integrity musically, who didn't follow whatever was hot in the moment but wrote the music we liked," MacDonald concludes. "We don't follow whatever trend is going on because we know that those fade quickly. We have a dedicated fan base who enjoy what we put out. We appreciate them and we try to give them substance. As cliché as it sounds, we want to be remembered as a band that was concerned about the right things and tried to make the world a better place."

“Four Chords” is my favorite song from the excellent album, Vagabonds. I got the chance to interview lead singer Matt MacDonald about “Four Chords” at the Creation Northeast festival.

Please tell me the background story about writing the song “Four Chords.”

It came from a mindset where I personally was ready to be over with trying to change my circumstances. I came to accept what I have and the blessings I have. Part of that was just from going through struggles. I came to the perspective that life is short and life is brief. What matters the most is what you’re able to accomplish and to let go of what you can’t change. That changes your happiness meter. It came from me getting older and wiser based on what I’ve learned in my life.

Did you base the song on any Bible verses?

Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

What is the take-away message for listeners about the song?

“Four Chords,” “Vagabonds” and “A Perfect Voice” all include the main messages of the album. We are all poor, by worldly standards. None of us make a lot of money. I struggled with that for awhile, but then I realized that I should celebrate God’s blessings in my life. We are blessed that we are able to do what we do for a living. The main message is in the bridge: “And even if I die tomorrow, I'll be glad my life was filled with songs, And even if I die tomorrow, these four chords will keep me living on, Oh, oh, the songs that we wrote, are playing back on the radio, Oh, oh, if I die tomorrow these four chords will keep me living on.” So that’s what I take away from the song. Society says your worth is based on numerical success. How many albums did you sell and how many people came to your concerts? How much financial success do you have? None of that really matters. I can’t take money with me when I die. What we’ve done in our lives and reaching people is way more valuable than money. Our legacy is in our songs and the message of our songs.

Here are the lyrics:

I was once a boy in love with strangers,
As I watched them smoke their cigarettes I'd wave
I was much to young to think of danger,
I was curious and innocent and brave

Now the wrinkles in my face have gotten deeper,
I’m an old man that’s just 25 years young
I try to keep myself away from mirrors, they remind me of the stupid things I've done

Because after all mans intellect and power,
All you get is 650,000 hours if you’re lucky then you’re dead,
Says the voice inside my head that keeps me moving on,
That keeps me singing these songs, so sing along
Oh, oh, here we go, been down this road about a thousand times before
But we ain’t bored
Oh, oh, here we go singing songs we wrote about a thousand times before
But we ain’t bored the same four chords, the same four chords

Now the beard upon my face has gotten thicker
To protect me from the storms that come my way
Maybe when life’s done I'll be the singer in the band that plays outside of heavens gate

And even if I die tomorrow I'll be glad my life was filled with songs,
And even if I die tomorrow these four chords will keep me living on
Oh, oh, the songs that we wrote, are playing back on the radio
Oh, oh, if I die tomorrow these four chords will keep me living on

This is one of my favorite songs of the year. I love the emotional vocals and strong messages of the songs on this album, especially “Four Chords.” The main message is not to judge your worth or success in life by the world’s standards, which is fame and wealth. “All you get is 650,000 hours if you’re lucky, then you’re dead” is a very challenging line in the chorus. We don’t know the day or the hour of our passing or of Christ’s return. How are we living for Jesus every day?