1 Girl Nation was originally made up of five talented young women but since its formation, Kelsey has left the band. Each lady possesses a strong, distinctive voice and tons of personality. βThe really cool thing about the group is all five of us are individual people,β says Lindsey. βWe have individual looks and styles and our voices are different. A big part of our message is that five completely different girls can come together and be unified and sound like one. Weβre driven by our over-the-top, fun personalities. We have a blast!β
Each member of 1 Girl Nation had been pursuing separate musical careers when they heard about a unique opportunity to audition for a faith based, all-female pop group. They decided to try out and see where the open door would lead, and through a series of events, all were distinctly chosen to make up the group.
βWe couldnβt imagine doing this journey alone,β says Kayli, who grew up on military bases all over the world due to her father's career in the Air Force, settling in Orlando, Florida. βI was already an artist on my own and heard about the audition for this group and thought it was the perfect fit. Itβs such an incredible experience. Weβre sisters. More than friends, weβre family and itβs just amazing.β
The 1 Girl Nation musical family also includes Lauryn Taylor, a 21-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama who heard about the opportunity from a friend who works inside the music industry; Kelsey, a Chicago, Illinois native with a degree in music education; Carmen, a singer/dancer who grew up in the Nashville area and attended famed Belmont University and the youngest member of the group, Lindsey, a pastorβs kid who hails from Jacksonville, Florida. βI was leading worship there and teaching K4,β Lindsey says of life before 1GN. βIβm overwhelmingly honored and blessed to be a part of a group of so many talented people.β
That bold sense of purpose and genuine affection for each other informs the music of 1 Girl Nation. Its influences range from the country sounds of Vince Gill and Alan Jackson that Kayli listened to as a child to Stacie Orrico and Kelly Clarkson, who are among Carmenβs favorites. Lauryn Taylor says her family listened to Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. Kelsey says those artists were also favorites in her home along with Rachael Lampa, 4Him and ZOEgirl. Lindsey smiles as she recalls being βobsessed with Jump5β and has always been a big Amy Grant fan.
Indeed thereβs a sense of fun and a musically adventurous spirit that is pervasive throughout 1 Girl Nationβs debut, self-titled album. The title track, co-written by Lauryn Taylor and Lindsey, is a buoyant anthem sure to get audiences on their feet as the girls declare their mission. βLauryn and I wrote β1 Girl Nationβ with Barry Weeks and this is our theme song,β says Lindsey. βItβs our message. It encourages girls to stop all the gossiping and trash talk, but come together, be strong, and live for their faith. Come together as a 1 Girl Nation. Our message is unifying the generation thatβs rising. When we sat down to write the song, we talked about what our name meant to us and thought, βLetβs just write it down so no one has a question.
The group co-wrote more than half of the album, collaborating with such noted writers as Jason Ingram, Kipp Williams, Tony Wood and others. βWe had a huge hand in the writing and song selection process,β says Lauryn Taylor. βI feel like our hearts are definitely in this album. Itβs our stories.β
Those stories evolved into songs that carry powerful messages about finding identity in Christ and not in the things of this world as well as encouraging people to lean on God during times of struggle. βIn the Eyesβ reminds listeners βYou are treasured/You are beautiful/In the eyes, in the eyes/Of the one who made you.β βAs a girl group it was really important to us that there be a song that addresses self-image,β says Kelsey. βFor our generation, thatβs one of the most difficult things that girls face every day. I know that for each one of us, weβve all been there. Weβve all experienced those feelings. Weβve all looked at those magazines. Weβve all wanted to be that girl in that picture. You donβt need to be defined by the things that the world tells you that you need to be defined by. The message of this song is: βYou are a treasure. You are beautiful and thatβs the truth.ββ
βWhile Weβre Young,β the groupβs first radio single, encourages young people to make the right choices early in life. βThere are a lot of songs on the radio today that say, βLetβs live while weβre young, just do whatever and take it day by day. You only live once,ββ says Kayli. βItβs fun, but itβs only fun for a short amount of time. We wanted to put our own spin on that idea and say, βWhile weβre young we want to live out our faith and bring the message to young girls that you only live once, so why not live for Christ?β
βCount Your Rainbowsβ is an uplifting reminder that rainy days donβt last and βbeauty begins right after the pain.β βI wrote that one with Casey Brown and Jonathan Smith,β says Lauryn Taylor, who sings lead on the tune. βWhile writing it, we were thinking about the young girls and their momβs that are going to be listening to our music so it really took me back in thinking about my mom and the things she taught me growing up. One of the main things she taught me was to think on the things that are good, pure and lovely. Whenever a situation goes bad or there are negative things happening, count your blessings. Another cool way to say that is to count your rainbows.β
Each member gets a chance to shine on its debut. Carmen takes the lead on βTurn Aroundβ while Kayli takes on βVerticalβ and Kelsey steps out on βIn the Eyesβ and throughout the album, each memberβs unique talents sizzle. However, even in the midst of all the fun, the dance moves and overall musical joyride that is 1 Girl Nation, the group members hope listeners will also take to heart the messages in their music. βWe feel like itβs our job with the platform weβve been given to inspire girls and give them the courage to stand up,β says Kelsey. βWe want to be the voice for those girls who donβt have one. We want to give them the courage to say, βIβm strong. Iβm empowered to live out what I believe.β We want to make it cool to be the good girl because it is cool and we want to let them know.β
1 Girl Nation wants to encourage and inspire its audience, but ultimately they want to lead them to the source of all power. βThe whole point of everything that we do is to bring more people into the Kingdom of Christ,β says Kayli. βWe were given these talents, abilities, tools, opportunities and platforms to get people to know the name of Jesus and thatβs the only reason why we do what we do. Itβs a fun life and we get to play out our dreams because of the talent God has given us, but it all goes back to Him.β
A Very A Cappella Christmas Mashup
1 Girl Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
(Da da da Da da da da da) Dashing through the snow
(Da da da Da da da da da) O'er the fields we go Here we go, Here we go
Tonight (Woo!) Tonight
Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oo-oah, Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King (Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oo-ah, Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah)
He rules the world with the truth and grace
And makes (and makes) the na- (the na-)tions prove
Oh, the glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
(Bum... bum... bum...) Oh come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
Oh come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
What - what child is this who lays and rests on Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch their keeping
Oh this, this, this is Christ the King whom Shepherds gaurd and angels sing
Oh haste, haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe the son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant King to own Him
The King of Kings, salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise, raise this song on high, let virgin sing her lullaby
Joy, joy, joy for Christ is born - the babe the son of God
(bum ba doo ba bum ba...) Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Christ is the Lord
Oh praise His name forever
His power and glory ever more proclaim
Oh night divine, Oh night
Oh night divine
The lyrics of "A Very A Cappella Christmas Mashup" are a combination of traditional Christmas songs. It starts with "Jingle Bells" by James Lord Pierpont, a classic upbeat Christmas song that captures the joy of the holiday season. The song then transitions to "Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. This part of the song highlights the religious origins of the holiday and the importance of faith during this time of year. The next part of the song seamlessly blends "O Come All Ye Faithful" by John Francis Wade with "What Child Is This" by William Chatterton Dix. These songs speak to the wonder and magic of the Christmas story and the beauty of the miracle that is Jesus Christ's birth. Finally, the song ends with "O Holy Night" by John Sullivan Dwight, which is a beautiful tribute to the hope and power of the holiday.
Overall, the lyrics of "A Very A Cappella Christmas Mashup" paint a picture of the joy, wonder, and religious significance of the Christmas holiday. By combining a variety of classic Christmas songs, the song celebrates the many different ways people celebrate this magical time of year.
Line by Line Meaning
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way
Let's ring this bell and sing merrily
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
It's a delightful experience to ride a sleigh with one horse
(Da da da Da da da da da) Dashing through the snow
We are rushing through the snow, making our way quickly
(Da da da Da da da da da) O'er the fields we go Here we go
We're heading across the fields, and we're on our way
Making Spirits Bright (Da da da Da da da da da)
We are bringing warmth and joy to everyone around us
Tonight (Woo!) Tonight
This very night is special and full of excitement
Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oo-oah, Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let's celebrate, for the Lord has arrived in this world
Let earth receive her King (Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oo-ah, Wo-oah-Wo-oah-Wo-oah)
Let the earth welcome the arrival of the King
He rules the world with the truth and grace
His gentle but firm rule guides the world with truth and grace
And makes (and makes) the na- (the na-)tions prove
And proves the nations that his leadership is true
Oh, the glories of His righteousness
His righteousness is truly glorious
And wonders of His love
His love is wondrous and amazing
(Bum... bum... bum...) Oh come all ye faithful
All the faithful should come together and rejoice
Joyful and triumphant
Filled with delight and victorious in spirit
Oh come let us adore Him
Let's show our respect and love towards Him
Christ the Lord
Our Lord and Savior
What - what child is this who lays and rests on Mary's lap is sleeping
Who is this child sleeping in Mary's lap?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch their keeping
The angels sing sweet songs to him while the shepherds watch them
Oh this, this, this is Christ the King whom Shepherds gaurd and angels sing
This is the King, whom the shepherds are guarding, and angels are singing for
Oh haste, haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe the son of Mary
We need to hurry and sing praise to the newborn, Son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
We offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come peasant King to own Him
Even a poor peasant can recognize and accept Him as their king
The King of Kings, salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him
He is the king of all kings who brings salvation and love, let's honor Him
Raise, raise this song on high, let virgin sing her lullaby
Sing this song with great joy and let the Virgin sing her lullaby
Joy, joy, joy for Christ is born - the babe the son of God
We are full of joy for the birth of Christ, the Son of God
(bum ba doo ba bum ba...) Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining
The holy night is filled with bright stars shining above
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
This is the night when our beloved Savior was born
Fall on your knees
Bow down on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Listen to the sweet voices of the angels
Christ is the Lord
Christ is our Lord
Oh praise His name forever
Praise and glorify His name forever
His power and glory ever more proclaim
Proclaim His power and glory forevermore
Oh night divine, Oh night
Oh divine night
Oh night divine
This night is divine
Contributed by Connor H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
justine dc
Gave me chills ,that's how good this is. Praise Jesus!!!!πππβ€οΈ
swaggycat
I am so in love with you guys, you are so beyond talented! You inspired me with this video, I recently started an accapella group with my best friends, and my friend wants us to try this! It's incredible! Could you try to do Hark Hear the Bells? This was just flawless! Keep it up! <3 :) :) <3
chaos N'order
Woah! I'm blown away! Kayli's note at the end and Lo Tay's rap! The queens of acapella
Raquel Martell
I love this so so so sooooo much. So amazing, each and every one of their voices. Ahhhh I have chills! :)
Abigail-Grace Naumenko
THIS. IS. AMAZING.Β
so talented! hits replay button x love ya gals!
precious timothy
I LOVE!!! <3 this was amazing, may God continue to bless u Β and your music love it :) <3
lily carlson
Hi, I just wanted to let you guys know that you are all so very amazing! Your song have helped me through lots of tough Β times. You all are so inspiring and my dream is to meet you guys! It would make me so happy :-)
Melaninphetamine User
I get chills hearing you girls sing! Awesome!
James Zawacki
Sounds amazing! If it would have had a nice dubstep/pop style beat throughout the song it would be perfect for sequencing Christmas lights to!
Bedford Baptist
You guys are very talented. I love this!