Eyes Wide Open: Listening to Steve Taylor's "Squint" Again for the First Time

I stumbled across Squint not long after its release in 1993. It wasn’t a high-profile drop. There were no chart-topping singles, no major label marketing blitz. But once I heard it, the album grabbed hold of something deep in me. I didn’t let go of it; and it hasn’t let go of me.

On the surface, Squint is quirky and sardonic, packed with unusual characters, unorthodox arrangements, and a deep love for wordplay. But beneath the surface lies a concept album with remarkable cohesion. Each track works on its own, but the collection forms a critique, an encouragement, a satire, and an altar call, all rolled into one. It’s one part theater, one part theology, one-part social commentary. It’s also the work of an artist who refused to flinch, even when the mirror he held up was uncomfortable to look at.

Steve Taylor had always been known for his biting humor and sharp cultural observation, but Squint showed a maturing voice. These weren’t just clever lyrics for youth group kids; they were songs for grown-ups still trying to follow Jesus in a world where religion sells, churches fracture, politics seduce, and idols moo loudly from every stage.

What follows in this series is a track-by-track reflection on Squint. These aren’t simply reviews. Each essay explores the lyrical themes, theological insights, emotional tone, and social backdrop of the songs, along with a personal take on why they continue to matter. My goal isn’t just to analyze but to listen; to listen more deeply than I did the first time around. Each track opens a door to something more: to confession, to conviction, to clarity, to comfort.

It may be that you’ve never heard this album. Or maybe, like me, you’ve carried it with you all these years. Either way, I hope you’ll take a fresh listen. This is Squint. Eyes open.

This post is part of my series walking through Steve Taylor’s album “Squint.” An album that still speaks to the absurdities of our culture contrasted by the grace being offered us.