I've long been a "Panhead"--that's what the Skillet fan club members call themselves--going back to their self-titled grunge rock debut album and their electronic-tinged rock follow-ups, Hey You, I Love Your Soul and Invincible. These offerings hooked me with their catchy, personal and vertically-focused songs, including "More Faithful," "Rest," and "Best Kept Secret." 

Over the years, it's been a treat for me to watch their meteoric ascent into one of rock's biggest bands in the world and the incredible success of their last four albums, Comatose, Awake, Rise, and Unleashed. Each album has reached another level of popularity.

I've had the opportunity to speak with John Cooper about several songs from prior albums, including "Believe," "Awake and Alive," "One Day Too Late," "Lucy," "American Noise," "Good to Be Alive," "Stars," "Lions," and "The Resistance." And, with each discussion, we've built on how John's biblical life verses, Romans 8:38-39, have shaped his songwriting. In anticipation of their new upcoming new album Victorious, their 10th studio album, Skillet released the energetic new single, "Legendary." I had the chance to speak with John Cooper about the song.
Please tell me the personal story behind the song.

The idea behind "Legendary" is that, in the end, you're probably not going to be legendary or remembered. In 200 years, I doubt many people will know who Skillet is. We all have a very short time on this planet.

The song's general message is to make your life count. That's what this song is talking about. For me, I want to get to the end of my life and know that I lived out my faith in a real way. Not just in words, but in deeds on a day-to-day basis. 

You're going to have a lot of hard things in your life. Sometimes it will get you down, but you need to make your life count. You're only here for so long. So, every day, fight to be legendary. Every day is a spiritual battle. 

When I was younger, I thought when I got older, things would get easier with spiritual battles and in my walk with the Lord. I'm a new creation. I'm born again and made new. It's true, but I'm still fighting those battles, dealing with anger issues, and not always walking in the Spirit. That fight will continue until I meet the Lord face to face. Until then, I want to make each day count: to be legendary.
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Psalm 90:12 (NIV): "Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
 
John 16:33 (NIV): "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Micah 6:8 (NKJV): "He has shown you, Oh, man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"

1 John 3:16 (NIV): "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

James 4:14 (NKJV): "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
 
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

What is the takeaway message?

For me, this song is also about all the people who said that Skillet would never make it. They said we were too Christian. We were too pretty. We had too many girls in the band. Too many keyboards. Too musical. It's too this or too that. And 23 years and 10 albums later, we're very unlikely people to still be doing music. There's a line in the chorus that says, "Still the one who is standing now." And that's how I feel about Skillet. You all said it couldn't happen, and we're all still standing. That's what "Legendary" means. 

I've gotten a little older, and I've accepted struggle as part of the journey. The lyrics are a call to make your life matter. You're realizing you have a chance for your life to count everyday. In a sense, we're all destined to be forgotten, so live the way you want and don't turn your back on who you are. I drew the sentiment from my own career. We've always put our heads down and pushed forward when confronted with adversity.

Lyrics:
Legendary, Oh, Legendary
 
Oh, my heart bleeds adrenaline
The fire I breathe is where I live
Say my name, incredible
Say my name, an animal
One life to live
I never give up
I never give in
 
Some people wanna turn and run
But the strong rise under the gun
 
Top, to the top
Ain't never gonna stop
To the top, to the top
Ain't never gonna stop
 
Never gonna keep me down
Never keep me
Still the one that's standing now
Never falling
Destiny is calling me
Go down in history
Every day I'll fight to be legendary
Oh, legendary
 
Fly high or will I fall
Legends made when faith is strong
 
Say my name, No time to plead
Say my name, I'm conquering
While I'm alive, I'll push through the pain
I'll run for the prize
 
Some people wanna turn and run
But the strong rise under the gun
 
Top, to the top
Ain't never gonna stop
To the top, to the top
Ain't never gonna stop
 
Never gonna keep me down
Never keep me
Still the one that's standing now
Never falling
Destiny is calling me
Go down in history
Every day I'll fight to be
Legendary
 
Oh, everyday I'll fight to be
Legendary, Oh, legendary
 
Wings are made to fly, made to fly
Fears are born to die, born to die
Pushing through the pain, through the pain
Pushing through, breaking through
Whatever it takes, what I gotta do
Giving my all, giving all that I've got
Never will stop 'til I get to the top
 
Top, to the top
Ain't never gonna stop
To the top, to the top
Ain't never gonna stop
 
Never gonna keep me down
Never keep me
Still the one that's standing now
Never falling
Destiny is calling me
Go down in history
Every day I'll fight to be legendary
 
Never gonna keep me down
Never keep me
Still the one that's standing now
Never falling
Destiny is calling me
Go down in history
Every day I'll fight to be
Oh, legendary

Closing Thoughts

As we live in these last days, it's very important to think about what you would be found doing if the Lord were to return today. Love is the answer. Not only should we love God because He first loved us, but we should also love others unconditionally because while we are still sinners. Christ died for us. 

When I first heard "Legendary," I was immediately hooked by the message, connected to the themes found in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, Oh, man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you; But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" That's how we can show the world what we are for instead of what we are against. Be followers of Jesus and make your life count.
 
Being a Christian means that we walk by faith, not by sight. Faith requires people to rely on the unseen. We all walk by faith every day. The beauty of walking by faith and not by sight is that we can learn to fully trust God more with our lives. God tells us in the bible that with faith, we can do anything in Christ. 

I'm completely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in "Legendary," which is filled with biblical truth. We can face our daily battles with more courage and strength. Because we know that, whatever the outcome, based on His promise in Romans 8:28 "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
 
I've personally been convicted by the bible verse, "teach me to number my days" from Psalm 90:12. "Legendary" and Psalm 90 are great examples of how to express your faith and not lose heart. Pray for God's mercy.

We're all united in our struggles and spiritual warfare, and in our desire for truth and relationship. It is a prayer for God to teach us to realize that this life isn't forever. Help us to realize what we're living for. 

What am I wasting my time on? What am I doing with my life? We also need to think about what we are doing for His Kingdom. That's our legacy, and the theme of this song. You can sincerely pray these words along with Skillet. His love is never-ending, and He is our refuge and our strength. If you are looking for a firm foundation in your life, make these lyrics your personal prayer: "Legends made when faith is strong." Amen to that.