Numerous singers mount a soapbox, imploring listeners to take a shot and passionately follow their dreams (“Vertical,” “It’s On,” “It’s My Turn Now”). In the spirit of 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Push It to the Limit” preaches hard work and playing to win. A guy’s healthy struggle with personal identity prompts the question, “Where Do I Go From Here?” “Jump to the Rhythm” alludes to life’s tough choices, noting that it’s a mistake “tryin’ to keep everyone happy.” “Jump” reminds us that the joy is in competing, not necessarily the outcome (“In the end we all winners/No poor sports, no quitters/We havin’ a good time”). Other songs promote perseverance (“Live It Up”) and learning from our mistakes as we wait to see God’s master plan unfold (“Let It Go”).
Taken to an extreme, this soundtrack’s follow-your-heart message could inspire teens to reject sound advice. A line on “Jumpin'” adds, “All you need’s inside of you … Break all the rules now.” Two tracks tell kids to “lose control” on the dance floor and “rock their bodies.”
Born of the High School Musical craze, Jump In! is a TV movie about a young boxer who discovers a hidden passion for skipping rope when his crush asks him to compete in a double Dutch tourney. The disc trips on its own enthusiasm at times, but the pro-social cheerleading rocks.
