Twenty-five-year-old Adam Cappa was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana—the birthplace of recorded jazz where his dad is the sheriff and his mom is vice president of a local bank. Not the most obvious back-story for a rising new Christian pop artist.
But it’s clear that as soon as Adam began to investigate the reality of God for himself, other people were inspired to invest in Cappa. Although his heart stays close to home and family, he’s now ready to see where his faith—and the faith others have shown in him—is going to lead.
“We went to church every week, then at some point in high school I wondered: Who is this God I hear about but don’t really know personally?” the spiky-haired singer/guitarist recalls.
Such questions got him invited to a nondenominational Young Life group where Adam felt an immediate connection and developed a deep relationship with the Lord. Music had never been Cappa’s main interest (he was a Junior Olympics jump rope medalist), but the men putting their energy toward his spiritual growth were worship leaders, and mentors in his life, and he simply wanted to be like them.
In short order, Adam bought a guitar, learned a few songs, and was leading fellow students at a local youth group in Matt Redman’s “Blessed Be Your Name” and Chris Tomlin’s “Enough,” not fully realizing those guys were recording artists whose outreach was also their profession; Christian music just wasn’t on his radar. Cappa led worship at churches and youth events throughout college while working at Fountain City Wesleyan Church earning a degree from Indiana University. His joy was in serving kids not much younger than himself. He had never imagined a record deal, but a new talent would begin to change that.
“God began to write a lot of songs in my heart,” Adam says. “Before I knew it, I felt the Lord had called me to pursue ministry on the road full time. I sold my car, bought a van, and started playing for teen camps full time.”
It was in those travels that Cappa first met fellow Indiana native Jeremy Camp through a mutual friend. The chart-topping rock/worship artist generously welcomed Adam to his home studio to record some demos and offer insights about music and ministry.
“We stayed in touch, and then through an unrelated booking deal on my end, I was asked to open a concert for Jeremy,” he remembers. “When I came off stage that night Jeremy was there waiting and said, ‘You blew me away tonight; that was incredible. I really felt the Lord speak to my heart, and I want to invest in you. I love your heart and your passion for the Lord.’ He had been praying about this work I was doing. So, we prayed some more and felt like God was saying, ‘Go.’ Soon we were working together on my debut album.”
Co-written and produced with Camp and Andy Dodd (Switchfoot, Plain White T’s), The Rescue bears comparison to Cappa’s mentor with its biblically insightful themes and emotionally stirring arrangements. It also brings to mind Redman and Tomlin respectively through subtle European production values and a crystalline singing voice that engages both pop and praise listeners alike.
The first single and title track is a fine example of all those elements. Born from the story of Peter stepping off the boat in Matthew 14, its initially heavy tone is lightened by a heavenward chorus: I’m so far down, but this time around I’m keeping my eyes on You / You are the rescue.
“This was one of the first ideas I brought to the table,” remembers Adam about writing the song. “I thought of moments in my life when I was crying out to Jesus, drowning and desperate to be rescued by a Savior. People focus on Peter’s lack of faith in that passage, but I also think about the great faith it inspired; that’s when he understood only Jesus could save him.”
Cappa’s own strong belief is evident on the uplifting “Perfect” where he stays focused on the words of John 16 and how God sees us as His children in the midst of this broken world: No matter what you say, no matter how it seems, you’re perfect to Me.
“God showed His perfect love through Christ, and in His eyes we are perfection waiting to happen,” he says. “We are more than our earthly hardships, because Christ overcame the world.”
Adam echoes that message on “Sail Away,” encouraging a life-weary friend to rest in the Lord. He puts active faith in God’s promises on “From the Inside,” a strikingly positive, acoustic-driven pop song about desiring spiritual growth that confesses: I need you to change me.
At the heart of The Rescue is “Washed Over Me,” a stirring expression of worship based on Ephesians 2 that Camp offered to share with an enthusiastic Cappa.
“My jaw dropped when I heard the chorus—I was so excited to work on it,” admits Adam. “The message is just so bold and clear right out of the gate. People won’t have to sit back and wonder what this is about.”
I’ve been washed; I’ve been cleansed; I have been made free.
I’ve been bought by the blood my King has bled for me.
The sweetest victory won at Calvary, where Your love washed over me.
In light of that saving gift, other standout songs like “Only a Glimpse” and “What’s at Stake” keep in mind eternity and lovingly urge others to do the same.
“I’ve seen God’s hand in my life, and I know that’s just a small taste of what’s to come,” he says. “It reminds me to be more focused on things above. And to consider everyone around me from an eternal perspective, to speak up, and be sure they know what God wants for them, too.”
That’s exactly what Adam Cappa will do on tour this fall with Jeremy Camp—reach out to people with an amazing rescue story.
“I’ve been transformed because someone took the time to love me and show me the power of God in my life,” he concludes. “I want to share that same thing and see the same changes in others. I know what it means when someone takes the time.”
Sail Away
Adam Cappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like your life is a fight you can never win
You've tried everything but there's still something
missing
It's time to give in, just surrender
Sail away now, sail away my friend, don't let the world
bring you down
Find strength in the only one who brings true life, the
one who understands
Oh my friend, oh-oh, sail away
Where's the fire deep inside that was part of you,
When your heart was alive and your faith was new
I miss the light that used to shine from your eyes
I hope you realize there's still life inside of you
When you find yourself all out of blame, no one else
can feel the pain, just let go give up control now
There is so much beauty when you are captive of the
love He gives
You can find your freedom in this place
Sail away now
You can rest, you can rest my friend, and find strength
in the only one who brings true life, the one who
understands
Oh my friend, oh-oh
In Adam Cappa's song "Sail Away," he is singing about a friend or loved one who is going through a difficult time in life. The person feels like they are constantly fighting against the wind and cannot seem to win. They have tried everything, but still, something is missing, and the singer wants them to know that it's time to surrender. The chorus goes on to encourage the person to sail away and find rest in Him, the only one who brings true life and understands their pain.
Cappa describes how he misses the spark of life that he used to see in their eyes and reminds them that they have life inside of them, even if they may not feel it right now. He urges his friend to let go of control and find beauty and freedom in the love that God gives. The song's overall message is one of hope and encourages the listener to turn to God to find peace and rest.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you feel like you're moving against the wind
You feel like you're struggling against an unseen force that just won't let you make progress.
Like your life is a fight you can never win
The obstacles in your life constantly seem to defeat you, making you feel like victory is impossible.
You've tried everything but there's still something missing
Despite all the things you've done to try and improve your situation, there is still something lacking that makes you feel incomplete.
It's time to give in, just surrender
Rather than continuing to fight a losing battle, it's time to accept that you can't do everything on your own and let go of your need for control.
Sail away now, sail away my friend, don't let the world bring you down
Take a break from the chaos of life and don't let the negativity and struggles of the world affect you. Take control of your own journey and let go of what holds you back.
Sail away now, you can rest in Him
Take comfort in the one who knows and understands you best, releasing all your worries and doubts and allowing yourself to simply be.
Find strength in the only one who brings true life, the one who understands
Gain the qualities that keep you going and feel alive and fulfilled by relying on the one who created you and has the capability to uplift you.
Oh my friend, oh-oh, sail away
You are not alone in your struggles and your friend is sending a message of support as you embark on your journey.
Where's the fire deep inside that was part of you, when your heart was alive and your faith was new
Remember the passion and determination you once had before things got tough and you lost sight of what you really wanted.
I miss the light that used to shine from your eyes
Your friend remembers a time when you had hope and joy in your heart and they want to see that light again.
I hope you realize there's still life inside of you
Despite all the hardships, you still have a future and the potential to be happy and fulfilled.
When you find yourself all out of blame, no one else can feel the pain, just let go give up control now
Stop blaming others for your problems and take responsibility for your own actions. Let go of the desire to control everything and let things happen naturally.
There is so much beauty when you are captive of the love He gives
When you surrender to love, amazing things can happen and you can find true beauty in the world as it really is.
You can find your freedom in this place
By embracing love and self-love, you will find true freedom and joy that comes only from acceptance and peace
You can rest, you can rest my friend, and find strength in the only one who brings true life, the one who understands
Relax and accept the support from the one who knows you best, giving you the courage and motivation to move forward and be happy.
Oh my friend, oh-oh
Your friend is sending you positive energy and love as you embark on this journey of self-discovery and healing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDREW CREIGHTON DODD, JEREMY THOMAS CAMP, ADAM MATTHEW CAPPA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind