The first ASU incarnation came together in 1996 when founding member Ian Eskelin decided to broaden his solo act and take a bunch of mates out on the road. The good old rock 'n' roll and notorious stage antics won them immediate acclaim.
Heady days ensued. The boys were signed to a leading record label, and after five No. 1 singles, watched their American youth group following grow into a legion of loyal fans. Over the past six years ASU has played more than 1000 shows. And only recently, during a rare yearlong break from the road in 2000, Ian took time to properly court and wed his new bride Peggy. The couple lives in Nashville, Tennessee, as do the newest faces in the ASU line-up.
Brothers Matt and Mike Payne, originally from Rockford, Illinois, have joined Ian on drums and guitar respectively, and Jeremy Hunter, a Seattle-native, is bassist and Revolution recording engineer. While the four-piece ASU team worked on the new album they took the time to rethink the ASU platform. Ian wanted to communicate something more personal. "I've written all kinds of songs, but the thing I really love and get most excited about is when I write songs that express my faith in three minutes in new and creative ways. That for me is an outpouring of my faith, my calling."
Certainly Ian's savvy use of metaphor, imagery and twisted cliché could charm a literature student for hours. His song-writing skills are clearly illustrated throughout the new record and particularly in songs like the Lennonesque "We Are The Future" and title track "Revolution". "Sweet Jesus" and the worshipful "Making It Beautiful" are perhaps more obvious in their spiritual message, but the common thread of all the tracks is the one thought-provoking challenge that Ian claims has never been more pertinent. "There are several songs on this new record that talk about change, the idea that we can make our lives better by helping to make the world better. Each of us, individually through Christ can make small differences. More than ever, I feel these songs are relevant — no matter what the circumstances of the day."
Revolution was two-and-a-half years in the writing and is the result of an artist honing his craft while personally living the themes of exploration, change, discovery and challenge. Ian has remained very "hands-on" in the production and long-term friend Mark Freegard (Manic Street Preachers, Del Amitri, and The Breeders) has mixed Revolution and ASU's self-titled debut album. Ian is not shy to express his satisfaction. "It's a ten song record and I really tried hard to trim the fat. I wanted the album to have a strong message and for people to be able to enjoy listening to every song. The guys are extremely talented musicians and really helped me with a fresh perspective on these songs."
Musically, Ian, Matt, Mike and Jeremy promise more emphasis on solid rock 'n' roll fundamentals without loosing the fun elements fans have come to love. "It's been easy to perform the songs on Revolution with the same excitement we had when we first started. The new material is written from the heart, and I feel extremely passionate about it. I want the music to be as important to the listener as it is for me. Whether in a car, living room or concert hall, I want people to leave an ASU experience reflective, energized and uplifted."
From http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/allstarunited.html
I Need You Now
All Star United Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then drift away
I will cling to the pieces
The ones that point at the way to go
More than anything I want you to know
So here I am
Cold and afraid I'm not the kind to cry "Jesus"
Or put my heart on parade, but oh
There are four words I want you to know
I need you now
More than ever, lord
Give me truth over mystery
'cause when you're around
The uncertainties
Seem to fade into history
Now that you've heard
My empty heartache's lament
I'm praying now that you'll be breaking through
This heavy shell of cement, and oh
More than anything I want you to know
I'm crying out
I'm pushing through
I'm trading fear and doubts for truth
And absolutes
Was lost, then found
These things I never knew
Without you
The song "I Need You Now" by All Star United is a heartfelt expression of the singer's need for God's presence and guidance in their life. The lyrics describe a feeling of uncertainty and fear, as if the world around them is falling apart and they are struggling to find their way. In the midst of this chaos, the singer turns to God, asking for his help and guidance.
The opening lines of the song, "when worlds collide, then drift away, I will cling to the pieces, the ones that point at the way to go," describe a feeling of disorientation and confusion. It's as if everything the singer once relied on has been thrown into disarray. But amidst the chaos, they hold onto the pieces that point them towards the way forward. The singer goes on to express their desire for God to be present in their life, saying "more than anything I want you to know...I need you now more than ever, Lord."
The chorus of the song is a plea for God's guidance and truth. The singer acknowledges that life can be uncertain and full of mysteries, but with God by their side, those uncertainties seem to fade away. The song ends with a declaration of the singer's commitment to God, saying "I'm crying out, I'm pushing through, I'm trading fear and doubts for truth and absolutes."
Overall, "I Need You Now" is a powerful song about the transformative and guiding role of faith in one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
When worlds collide
When things aren't going right due to various circumstances and events.
Then drift away
People in life come and go leaving some form of influence, but eventually lead us away from what we know.
I will cling to the pieces
In times of uncertainty and confusion, hold on to the small nudges that give direction and clarity.
The ones that point at the way to go
Those small nudges that guide us in the right direction.
More than anything I want you to know
Above all else, there is something important that needs to be communicated.
So here I am
The vulnerability of the person in the song who is in need of help.
Cold and afraid
Feeling alone and scared in their current situation.
I'm not the kind to cry "Jesus"
Although not an overtly religious person, they are reaching out for help from a higher power.
Or put my heart on parade, but oh
The vulnerability continues, as they are putting their emotions on display.
There are four words I want you to know
There is something specific that needs to be communicated, again emphasizing its importance.
I need you now
The specific need of the person in the song is for help in their current situation.
More than ever, lord
Emphasizes the urgency of the request for help in this moment.
Give me truth over mystery
Asking for clarity and understanding of what is happening, rather than being left guessing at what is going on.
'cause when you're around
The presence of the higher power and their support brings clarity and peace.
The uncertainties
The fears and doubts that were present before.
Seem to fade into history
With the help of the higher power, those fears and doubts fade into the past and are no longer present or affecting the person's life.
Now that you've heard
Calling attention to the fact that communication of the request has been made.
My empty heartache's lament
The expression of the pain and emptiness they are feeling in their heart.
I'm praying now that you'll be breaking through
The hope that the higher power will provide the help that is being requested.
This heavy shell of cement, and oh
Acknowledging the current emotional state and the need for the higher power's assistance in breaking free.
I'm crying out
Expressing the desperation and urgency for help and relief.
I'm pushing through
Even in the midst of the difficulties and pain, they are still striving to come out on the other side.
I'm trading fear and doubts for truth
Making the decision to let go of the fears and doubts and instead choose to embrace the truth of the situation.
And absolutes
The foundational truths that provide direction and clarity.
Was lost, then found
The transformation from a state of feeling lost and alone to being found and supported by the higher power.
These things I never knew
The realization of the truth and support that was previously unknown or not acknowledged.
Without you
The final acknowledgement that the help and support of the higher power is necessary and the source of the transformation and growth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE CLO, IAN ASHLEY ESKELIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jenny Khol
I love this song, even after 20 years
Brandi Lynn
Thanks for uploading!
Mark Herron
Happy birthday to Ian Eskelin his birth verse is Romans 10:17 Blessings and hugs 🤗💞🤗🙏!
Thereisnowayiam Givingyoumyname
Thank you!