"If everyone shared and swallowed their pride then we'd see the day when nobody died" sums up this song's message and pinpoints a Christian's hesitation with it. "If Everyone Cared" is the sixth single Nickelback released from its 2005 album All the Right Reasons in the U.S. and the fourth worldwide (with a few exceptions).
In "If Everyone Cared" the Canadian band declares that, if everyone cared enough to band together to help others, they would eliminate world problems, and the music video accents that with the tales it includes of people caring enough to work for betterment, improving others' lives. Apparently funds from the sale of this single go to certain charities like Amnesty International.
My hesitation comes from the assumption that everyone banding together would eliminate world hunger and such. I'd guess that the Nickelback members would claim that man (in the human sense) is basically good. In my worldview of people being innately selfish and sinful and unable to care for others apart from the grace of God, this philosophy doesn't fly so well. Though it could probably be argued that my issue's a matter of thinking the band's humanistic dream impossible.
The song's a standard short pop but softer rock with a nice beginning that doesn't go much of anywhere, musicwise. It sounds… normal. Nothing special, besides the older voice of Chad Kroeger that reminds me of Newsong. (I think of it as "rough"; I'm not sure what the technical term is, musically.)
Despite the short length of "If Everyone Cared", it's extremely repetitive. I grant them kudos for an admirable idea, but I really won't be looking for this song to listen to on my own; not my preferred sound.
The song's currently offered on the band's MySpace page if you want to listen.
Lyrics: 3/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: 7/10
