It is by Fernando Ortega called “This Time Next Year” on his album “Storm”  Check out the lyrics below and feel free to listen to a sample of the song/album on itunes with the links afterward.

Turn up the light so we can see
The redhead grandson on your knee
You’d better hold him while you can
He’ll be walking soon
This time next year
You’ll want to take him
Down the old road
Behind your house

To show him the sun
On the autumn fields,
Smell the wind-blown alfalfa,
To look out where the geese
Are rising for their southern flight
Circling arrows in the sky
Above the ditches
And the cottonwoods

This time next year
There’ll be stories to tell
And he will listen to you
Quiet in your arms
And there’ll be songs to sing him
While he goes to sleep
When we gather in your home
This time next year

The boy is laughing on your knee
Hold him up so we can see
Hold him high because
We’re lifted in his laughter
And in the gladness
He has brought you
As you walk these heavy miles

Buy on  Song “This Time Next Year” by Fernando Ortega
Buy on  Album “Storm” by Fernando Ortega

(note: for full disclosure, these are affiliate links but it’s a great way to share great music too)

I’ve always loved Derek’s music and his ability to use his lyrics as a sword that pierces the heart of your beliefs and pre-conceived ideas about the world around us. This album looks like it will be more of the same.

The "words" are fitting to the message he’s trying to convey. Nothing gratuitous in my opinion. Interested in hearing what you think.

Hat tip to Matthew Paul Turner over at Jesus Needs New PR for sharing the video on his blog.

now loading…
the best visual content,
for the best publishers

2007 American Music Awards -…

Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Read more

 
 
 

2007 American Music Awards – Press Room

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Muscial group One Republic poses in the press room at the 2007 American Music Awards held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 18, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty…

Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Publish this image

close

Email image to a friend

close

One of the new secular groups that I’m really enjoying lately is the group One Republic. What originally hooked me to them was their music, but once I started listening to more and more of their songs, I began to hear more and more of their lyrics and think about what they were saying.

A couple of their songs have lots of religious imagery in them so it makes me wonder about the group’s background and the potential church history of the individual members.

Watch the video and read these lyrics and let me know what you think.

ALL I NEED

Do you know where your heart is
Do you think you can find it
Did you trade it for something, somewhere
Better just to have it
Do you know where your love is
Do you think that you lost it
You felt it so strong but nothings
Turned out how you want it
Well bless my soul
You`re a lonely soul
Cause you wont let go
Of anything you hold

Well all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Do you know what your fate is
And are you trying to shake it
You`re doing your best and
You`re best look
You`re praying that you`ll make it
Well bless my soul
You`re a lonely soul
Cause you wont let go
Of anything you hold

Well all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Said all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Do you think you can find it
Do you think you can find it
Do you think you can find it
Better than you have it
Do you think you can find it
Do you think you can find it
Do you think you can find it
Better than you have it
Better than you have it
Said all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Said all I need is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head
Do you know where the end is
Do you think you can see it
Until you get there
Go on
Go ahead and scream it
Just say

One of the other songs that really presents some thoughts for the listener is "Mercy".

Here’s the music video followed by the lyrics to the song below.

Mercy

Angel of Mercy
How did you find me?
Where did you read my story?
Pulled from the papers
Desperate and hardened
seeking a moment every fix

All I wanted to say
All I wanted to do
Is fall apart now
All I wanted to feel
I wanted to love
Its all my fault now
A Tragedy I fear

Angel of Mercy
How did you find me?
How did you pick me up again?
Angel of Mercy
How did you move me?
Why am I on my feet again?
And I see you

Whoa Whoa Whoa
I feel you
Whoa Whoa Whoa

Before just the daylight
Come and i stand by
Waiting to catch the quickest plane
Flying to nowhere
Is better than somewhere
That’s where I’ve been and nothing’s changed

All I wanted to say
All I wanted to do
Is fall apart now
All I wanted to feel
I wanted to love
Its all my fault now
A Tragedy for sure

Angel of Mercy
How did you find me?
How did you pick me up again?
Angel of Mercy
How did you move me?
Why am I on my feet again?
And I see you

Whoa
I feel you
Whoa

I’m so lost in you
A tragedy seemed to be over now
A tragedy it seemed to be

Angel of Mercy
How did you find me?
How did you pick me up again?
Angel of Mercy
How did you move me?
Why am I on my feet again?
And I see you

whoa
I feel you
Whoa
I feel you
Oh Whoa
I feel you
Oh Oh Oh

Some of the other secular groups that I enjoy listening to that seem to have some spiritual undertones to their lyrics include: Collective Soul, Coldplay, U2, Lifehouse and others. What are some of your favorite groups that aren’t labeled "Christian" and wouldn’t normally be found in your local Christian bookstore?

I’m going to make a strong comment in this review but I’ve been thinking about it now for the last few weeks as I’ve listened to more and more albums.

Justin McRoberts is the absolute best independent Christian music male artist I’ve heard since I’ve been blogging here at Christian Music Fan.

I received his album “Deconstruction” for review a number of weeks ago and I just can’t stop playing it over and over and telling everyone I know about him and this album. His clean and clear vocals really remind me a lot of Derek Webb, and his straight to the heart and mind lyrics continue the similarities. The talent isn’t just a mirroring of Webb though. Justin really brings a folksy touch to the sound that’s just lovely.

It’s not going to sound like a compliment, but I’m going to say this because I think there will be a number of people that will immediately get the connection and sound description. His solo vocals and guitar playing in the folk music style really reminds me recent American Idol contestant Jason Castro. Obviously much more performance experience and talent than Jason, but the melody of his singing immediately brought that to mind.

The album consists of 13 tracks that all tell a wonderful story:

1. Done Living
2. America and the Soul
3. A Hope Deferred
4. Driving by the Accident
5. Deconstruction
6. When it Don’t Come Easy
7. Religion Poisons Everything
8. On the Night You Were Betrayed
9. Bullhorn Theory
10. Hope is Where We’re Starting From
11. Common Sense
12. Until There Is No More Tomorrow
13. My Only Victory

With lyrics like…

“..the question isn’t if you’re going to suffer anymore, but what will it have meant when you are through. The question isn’t if you’re gonna die, you’re gonna die. Will you be done living when you do?”

on the song Done Living

and

“you curse the very ground upon which you are walking, to prove the point that you’re no longer walking on the ground. If it’s absurdity you find in my believing, tell me more what’s more absurd than believing in your doubts.”

on the track Religion Poisons Everything.

If you get this album I think I can pretty clearly guarantee that you won’t be disappointed in what you receive.

To give you just a taste, here’s a video of Justin McRoberts performing “Religion Poisons Everything“. Now I’m off to review his concert schedule and see if there’s any way on earth I can make it to one of his shows.

To enjoy more videos of Justin performing songs from this album just follow this link to his profile on YouTube. He’s posted the video of each song from his entire album. You’ve got GOT to take advantage of this and experience the music of this guy. He is tremendous!

If you register as a user of the site and reference me (Jason Bean) as the one who referred you we can win handwritten lyrics by Cindy Morgan.

I thought that was a pretty cool contest and can already see the lyrics nicely framed with a picture of a hummingbird and my daughter super-imposed together accenting the lyrics.

Let’s try and win together, just visit the Cindy Morgan website by clicking here and sign-up for their site. Be sure and put my name in as the one that referred you.

I wanted to share the lyrics of the song with you and see what you though about them? I was also caused to think of Dave’s name as well, pretty Biblical sounding as well.

Oh, Oh Deep water
Black, and cold like the night
I stand with arms wide open
I’ve run a twisted mile
I’m a stranger
in the eyes of the Maker

I could not see
for fog in my eyes
I could not feel
for the fear in my life
From across the great divide
In the distance i saw a light
John Baptist
walking to me with the Maker

My body is bent and broken
by long and dangerous sleep
I can work the fields of Abraham
and turn my head away
I’m not a stranger
in the hands of the Maker

Brother John
Have you seen the homeless daughters
standing there
with broken wings
I have seen the flaming swords
there over east of eden
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker

oh river rise from your sleep….

Good stuff. Thoughts?

Lyrics: LyricsOnDemand.com
Photo: DaveMatthewsBand.com

I received Todd Agnew’s “Better Questions” in the mail a few days ago to listen to and review on the site. As per my normal operating procedure, I’ve been listening to it in my car and on the computer over the past few days and just letting the lyrics marinate into my soul.

It’s not been a purely pleasant experience, but it’s not because the album is bad, it’s because the lyrics are piercing to what I’ve accepted as normal and expected.

For example, read these lyrics from the song “Least of These”, which is probably the hardest rocking song on the album as well.

I’m a druggie, I’m a pusher, I’m a one night stand whore
Accuser, an abuser with nothing to live for
A devil, a deceiver and probably much more
But why does it have to define me?
Why do you always remind me?

Why can’t I be free from who I’ve been?
Why can’t you see me as one of the least of these?

I’m a liar, I’m a thief, I’m a traitor, I’m the chief of sinners
I’m pretty sure nothing’s beneath me
I’m a cheater, I’m a chain, I don’t know if I can change
But why does it have to define me?
If He came to this hell to find me?
Why can’t His blood refine me?
Why do you always remind me?

I’ve bolded the lines that speak loudest to me. I think I’ve been doing a much better job of not being judgmental towards people. The question is, is the church doing the same? How do you do?

Getting back to the album, I’m thoroughly enjoying everything about the album and the rest of the songs that are included.

1. Prelude
2. Still Has A Hold
3. Least of These
4. If You Wanted Me
5. Our Great God
6. Loves In Our Heads
7. Peace On Earth
8. Funny
9. Don’t Say A Word
10. War Inside
11. Martyr’s Song
12. On A Corner In Memphis
13. Family
14. Preachers And Thieves
15. Can I Be With You

The songs bolded above are some of my favorites from the album, but I can’t really say they’re my favorites I guess. Every time I listen to the album I just let the whole thing play and enjoy the entire album as a complete story.

I don’t have the space or time to clip all the great little phrase lyrics in this album, you’ve just got to buy the album and hear it for yourself.

As I was listening with a friend, they made the comment immediately that it didn’t “sound like” other Christian music. I think that’s a good thing, without saying that Christian music is bad, we just need artists that can really push the envelope of what we expect and what we think we know. Todd Agnew does that!

The photo above is of Todd Agnew and Rebecca St. James performing at GMA 2007. Rebecca St. James is a guest vocalist on this album on “Our Great God”.

Lyrics: SweetsLyrics
Photo: Ardent Music blog
Website: www.toddagnew.com

I’ve been listening to it for a few weeks now and just letting the music and lyrics soak into my consciousness and emotions.

I absolutely stand by my initial impressions and review of the songs on the album I was able to hear from his website and MySpace page. If you reminisce about the electro-pop-synth sounds of the 80′s then the musical aspect of this album is great!

The lyrics are so simple and profound at the same time that they just get stuck in your head. Having words like this bouncing around in your head can be just what is needed when your attitude isn’t quite what you’d prefer for the day.

Here’s a section from the song “Love Flow”:

But don’t give up
Take it to the Lord
Lay it as His feet
Get down upon your knees
And prepare to weep
Open up your heart
Tell Him of your woe
Take a little time
And His love will flow

The rest of the album has more songs and lyrical phrasing just like that. Poetry of Truth and encouragement that just lifts your spirits and gives you hope.

The rest of the tracks on the album include:

1. God I Know (Link to Music Video)
2. Devil’s Playground
3. Love Flow
4. Forever
5. Meet My Jesus
6. Save Me
7. Alone
8. Jesus, Did You Really?
9. Soul Seeker
10. Fool That I Am
11. River Runs Red
12. River Runs Red (edited)

If there’s one weakness in the album at all, it’s both the simplicity and power of the lyrics. That sounds weird to say, but sometimes the repetition of the same line or lyric is a bit too noticeable. Even with that though, I go back to the Truth of what’s being said in the words of Rand in each song. They’re words of hope and joy, and with the world we live in today, you really can’t get too much of that now can we?

I highly recommend this album to add to your collection. I don’t think you’ll find another similar album in your collection and you definitely won’t hear it while perusing the normal popular Christian radio stations.

Visit Rand’s website and MySpace page and help an independent artist out and speak to him to keep doing what he’s doing by supporting his work. Just visited his website again and he’s got so more sample music available to listen to that’s not available on his “Soul Seeker” album.

Technorati Tags: Rand Winburn, Corgi Boy Records, Soul Seeker, 80′s synth music, electric pop, Love Flow

I’ve got to say that one of my surprise finds since I’ve been blogging here at Christian Music Fan is Derek Webb. I had heard his music before via Caedmon’s Call, but hadn’t experienced any of his solo work. His lyrics are piercing and full of Truth.

What I didn’t realize when I wrote about Derek Webb’s musical premiere on Grey’s Anatomy was that the songwriter, Sandra McCracken is Derek’s wife. Durh!

Now the two have collaborated on more together than just a family, they’ve releasing their own album titled “Ampersand EP”. Here’s a bit about their story:

Eight years ago, singer/songwriter Derek Webb was making a routine coffee run for his Caedmon’s Call band mates when he heard Sandra McCracken, playing from the stage of the small Nashville coffee shop.  Struck by McCracken’s voice and songwriting, Webb picked up a copy of her debut record and played it for the band.  When Caedmon’s extended an invitation to McCracken to join them on the road, she and Webb discovered they were kindred spirits and soon began planning a future together.  A future that now includes two solo careers, eight Derek Webb records, five Sandra McCracken records, and a newborn son. 

But even after eight years of personal and professional collaboration, thirteen albums, a marriage, and a new baby, the one thing McCracken and Webb had never done together successfully was write songs.  Until Now.

The result is Ampersand EP, a record that’s as sublimely melodic and superbly crafted as anything either artist has ever recorded, but one which reveals the couple in a surprisingly intimate and stunningly soulful new light. 

So here’s my question now, is it Derek that’s writing the powerful lyrics or is Sandra the powerful writer behind the man?

Right now we’re listening to Keith Green’s top songs in our office. A song came up that I’ve heard before, but this recording has Keith adding some dramatic speaking and additional lyrics to the song. What made it powerful was that he was using excuses that we’d hear come from the mouths of many Christians and they made perfect sense. They were phrases I could actually imagine people saying.

The song is taken from Matthew 25:40. The parable is titled “The Sheep and the Goats”, which is also the title of the song.

One of the responses was that they didn’t Jesus in his time of need because it wasn’t their ministry. Whoa! Convicted? Guilty?

This particular recording is one you should really look for and listen to it closely. You can find it Yahoo LAUNCHcast.