Like her Christian music peers Jaci Velasquez, Stacie Orrico, Rebecca St. James, and Rachael Lampa, Alli Rogers was poised for success at an early age. After winning a talent contest at AtlantaFest, the 16-year-old artist signed to Word Records and worked on her long-awaited debut. Before the album would ever see the light of day, however, Word was absorbed by Time Warner, and Rogers' major-label hopes came to a screeching halt when she was dropped from the roster after a host of personnel changes.
But she didn't let that keep her from making music for long. Rogers teamed up with friend Donnie Boutwell to write and co-produce her well-crafted debut, Always Eden, 11 tracks showcasing Rogers' lovely voice and poetic songwriting. For added accessibility and variety, Bebo Norman also sang a few background vocals that enhanced the album's overall vibe.
Now a little more than a year later, Rogers returns with her sophomore effort, The Day of Small Things, a disc that provides further evidence of the beauty of simplicity. The theme of "enjoying simple things of life" also extends to her songwriting as well.
"It's hard for me to work hard at the small things, the menial tasks, when I can't see the outcome, says Rogers. "I think a lot of people relate to that. When I was looking at the handful of songs I'd been writing, this theme seemed to stand out. The album is about looking past the daily, mundane things and seeing eternal purposes. It worked out well because I had been really inspired by Zechariah 4:10."
With a sound that would make any fan of Patty Griffin or Jonatha Brooke proud, Rogers' vocals are the real standout on the project, particularly on these lyrics on the title track: "You've shown me that we're never alone/And your Spirit will stay by our side/So I won't despise the day of small things."
While Always Eden was a little more introspective, The Day of Small Things has more of a universal message, particularly on a track titled "Hope," which Rogers wrote after seeing victims' pleas for help in the wake of tragedies like the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. "We need to be passionate about bringing hope to people who don't have it, which is the actual definition of poverty," Rogers affirms. "I wanted to write a song that shares that everyone, from the richest of souls to those that are covered in poverty, we all need the hope that is found in Christ."
For more information about Alli Rogers, visit www.allirogers.com.
Music
Alli Rogers Lyrics
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You're a little more like me
We've come too far to lose it
This state of imagery
When nothings real and nothings wrong
That's my favorite part to see
We dance around and we sing our songs
There's nothing like the wings of an angel
Wide awake but deep in a dream
Unconscious of any motion
Save for the movement in me
And I know that this will always be
Our perfect in-between
So maybe somehow we can help them see
There's nothing like the wings of an angel
Entranced in sweet obsession
Such a complete expression of myself, myself
Cause I know where I am planted
Deep in a love transcending everything, everything
When all we have is music you're a little more like me
The lyrics of Alli Rogers's song "Music" speak to a unique connection between two individuals who find their deepest expressions and understanding through music. The opening lines "When all we have is music, you're a little more like me" suggest that the singer and their companion are united by a shared love for music, with the art form serving as a bridge between them that transcends differences. They have come too far to lose this bond, which exists in a state of "imagery," perhaps a reference to the way that music can create vivid mental pictures or emotional landscapes despite being intangible.
The phrase "When nothings real and nothings wrong, that's my favorite part to see" points to the transcendent power of music to transport us beyond the constraints of everyday life, where we can lose ourselves in the beauty of sound and forget our worries. The reference to "the wings of an angel" adds to the mystical, otherworldly quality of the song, suggesting that music has the power to lift us up and transport us to a higher realm. Overall, the lyrics describe the profound connection and sense of freedom that can be achieved through shared musical experience.
Line by Line Meaning
When all we have is music
In times when words seem inadequate, music becomes the only source of solace.
You're a little more like me
As lovers of music, we share an unbreakable bond that makes us more connected than ever.
We've come too far to lose it
We have struggled a lot to find this common ground, and we cannot allow anything to ruin it now.
This state of imagery
The euphoria that music brings is beyond words; we are lost in a surreal world of images that only music can conjure up.
When nothings real and nothings wrong
For that moment in time, all our problems and worries cease to exist, and we embrace the present, letting the music take us away.
That's my favorite part to see
The ability of music to transport us to a different world is something that never ceases to amaze me, and I cherish this aspect of music the most.
We dance around and we sing our songs
Together, we revel in the joy of music, letting our bodies sway to the rhythm and singing with all our heart and soul.
There's nothing like the wings of an angel
Music has the power to lift us up and make us feel like we are soaring above, just like angels.
When all the stars are glowing
The enchanting beauty of music is second to none, and it leaves us awestruck, gazing at the stars in amazement.
Wide awake but deep in a dream
Music has the ability to transport us to an alternate reality so vivid that we feel as if we are living in a dream, yet we are fully awake.
Unconscious of any motion
The mesmerizing effect of music can leave us in a trance, where we are oblivious to our surroundings and are lost in our own world.
Save for the movement in me
The only thing that moves in this moment is the music, and I am but a mere vessel carrying its essence.
And I know that this will always be
This love for music and the bond we share because of it is something that will stay with us forever.
Our perfect in-between
The world of music is where we feel most at home, where we are neither here nor there, but somewhere in between where we find solace.
So maybe somehow we can help them see
Sharing our love for music might inspire others to appreciate it as much as we do, and maybe find their own solace in the world of music.
Entranced in sweet obsession
The powerful hold of music is like a sweet obsession that takes over our senses, leaving us entranced and spellbound.
Such a complete expression of myself, myself
Through music, I express myself more fully than I ever could with words. It is a part of me and who I am, making me feel whole.
Cause I know where I am planted
Music has rooted itself deep in my soul, becoming an indispensable part of me and defining who I am.
Deep in a love transcending everything, everything
The love and passion I have for music goes beyond words and is something that transcends everything, creating a bond that cannot be broken.
Contributed by Audrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.