The Altar Boys helped pioneer modern Christian rock music. They were known for their Ramones-style punk music, which was radically different than the more adult contemporary inspired Christian music common at the time of their formation, as well for their mission to speak to and provide help to the hurt and downtrodden in their releases as well as their concerts.. Especially in their early years, they were known for being explicit with their faith in their lyrics. Their sound was heavily influenced by the punk rock scene in Southern California, and they quickly became one of the best known Christian bands on that scene. Their first album sold over 7,000 copies without distribution, and their second disc sold 20,000 units in its first two months of release.
In terms of influences, the group drew greatly from secular hard rock music, with co-songwriter and bassist Ric Alba particularly looking towards Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones and Kiss' Gene Simmons for inspiration. Their songs such as fan-favorite "Against the Grain" often took aim at both the problems of shallow, materialistic contemporary society as well as issues with Christian churches. Many conservative-minded Christian preachers that the group encountered judged them negatively for their hairstyles, their taste in clothes, their encouragement of energetic dancing, their open welcoming of poor, hurting non-Christians in their concerts, and the like. Their members often worked with downtrodden fans that came to them for help, doing various social works. Alba later remarked, "Our work as Altar Boys was possible because of people generously opening up their hearts and guts to us."
Their third and fourth releases, Gut Level Music and Against the Grain, propelled them to national standing. Gut Level Music was explicitly aimed at a secular audience, and marked changes designed to enhance their credibility with that audience. Their lyrical approach changed toward a more subtle expression of their faith. They also refined their sound in an attempt to distance themselves from the punk "garage band" image that they had acquired early on. They began playing in secular venues more often, and in 1987 toured England opening with The Jesus and Mary Chain.
The band went on an "indefinite hiatus" in 1992 However Mike Stand has resurrected much of the Altar Boys songs with his new project called "The Altar Billies". The Altar Billies are a "Punktry" band from Southern California. They are a Rockabilly/Psychobilly/Country style trio led by Mike Stand that perform many of the Altar Boys hits as well as songs from Mike's various solo projects. www.myspace.com/altarbillies
You Are Loved
Altar Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They just don't go away
Out here the anger and frustration
Never takes a holiday
Well, I've seen the faces and
I'm not gonna turn away
Hey! I'm talking to you
I'm trying to get thru
To all the hearts that have been broken
To all the dreamers with abandoned dreams
To everybody in need of a friend now
You are loved! You are loved!
To all the rebels wounded in battle
To all the rockers that have lost that beat
To all the users all used up now
You are loved! You are loved!
In a flash he walked out!
He just couldn't take anymore
What he thought was happiness
Just turned around and smashed on the floor!
Well I see the faces and
I'm not gonna turn away
Hey! I'm talking to you
I'm trying to get thru
God cares about you more than you think!
To all the hearts that have been broken
To all the dreamers with abandoned dreams
To everybody in need of a friend now
You are loved! You are loved!
To all the rebels wounded in battle
To all the rockers that have lost that beat
To all the users all used up now
You are loved! You are loved!
You don't need to stand alone
There's someone you can hold on to
I want to let you know
You are loved! You are loved!
This world is such a hard place
You just get lost in the crowd
To some you're just a number
To others you're just somebody hanging around now.
I see the faces and
how can I turn away
Yea! I'm talking to you
I'm trying to get thru
God cares about you more than you think!
To all the hearts that have been broken
To all the dreamers with abandoned dreams
To everybody in need of a friend now
You are loved! You are loved!
To all the rebels wounded in battle
To all the rockers that have lost that beat
To all the users all used up now
You are loved! You are loved!
The lyrics of the Altar Boys' song "You Are Loved" address the struggles that many people face in their lives, particularly in urban areas. The song references "hard times in the city" that "just don't go away," and describes the constant feelings of anger and frustration that can be pervasive in such an environment. However, the message of the song is one of hope and encouragement: the singer assures the listener that despite their hardships, they are loved.
The song speaks directly to those who have experienced pain and disappointment, including broken hearts, abandoned dreams, and battles with addiction. The lyrics emphasize that even the most marginalized individuals are valued and important, and they are urged to hold on and remember that there is always someone who cares for them. The song's chorus repeats a reassuring message: "You are loved!"
Overall, the Altar Boys' "You Are Loved" is a deeply empathetic and uplifting song that acknowledges the difficulties of life, while offering a message of hope and support to those who may feel forgotten or alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Hard times in the city
Difficult situations are common in urban environments
They just don't go away
These situations persist and continue to impact daily life
Out here the anger and frustration
The negative emotions of people in the city are present and intense
Never takes a holiday
These negative emotions are constant and ever-present
Well, I've seen the faces and
The artist has witnessed the effects of these difficult circumstances on people firsthand
I'm not gonna turn away
The singer is determined to offer comfort and support to those in need
Hey! I'm talking to you
The singer is addressing individuals directly, hoping to have a personal impact
I'm trying to get thru
The artist is making an effort to connect with others on an emotional level
God cares about you more than you think!
The artist believes in a higher power who values and cares for all individuals
To all the hearts that have been broken
Those who have experienced emotional pain
To all the dreamers with abandoned dreams
Those who have given up on achieving their aspirations
To everybody in need of a friend now
Those who are currently lacking in emotional support
You are loved! You are loved!
You are valued and deserving of love and support
To all the rebels wounded in battle
Those who have fought for a cause and been hurt in the process
To all the rockers that have lost that beat
Those who have lost their passion or creativity
To all the users all used up now
Those who have been taken advantage of or depleted by others
You don't need to stand alone
You do not need to face difficult circumstances on your own
There's someone you can hold on to
There are people who are willing to support and care for you
I want to let you know
The singer is making a conscious effort to communicate personally and effectively
This world is such a hard place
The world is filled with difficulty and challenge
You just get lost in the crowd
Individuals can feel overlooked or unimportant in a large population
To some you're just a number
Certain people may not value or recognize your individual worth
To others you're just somebody hanging around now.
Others see you simply as a person who is present or existing
how can I turn away
The artist cannot ignore or disregard the struggles they observe in others
Yea! I'm talking to you
The singer is continuing to address individuals directly
God cares about you more than you think!
The singer reiterates their belief in a higher power who values and cares for you
You are loved! You are loved!
You are valued and deserving of love and support
Contributed by Reagan A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bigmanracing300 Ktm
Hard times in the city
They just don't go away
Out here the anger and frustration
Never takes a holiday
Well, I've seen the faces and
I'm not gonna turn away
Hey! I'm talking to you
I'm trying to get thru
God cares about you more than you think!
To all the hearts that have been broken
To all the dreamers with abandoned dreams
To everybody in need of a friend now
You are loved! You are loved!
To all the rebels wounded in battle
To all the rockers that have lost that beat
To all the users all used up now
You are loved! You are loved!
In a flash he walked out!
He just couldn't take anymore
What he thought was happiness
Just turned around and smashed on the floor!
Well I see the faces and
I'm not gonna turn away
Hey! I'm talking to you
I'm trying to get thru
God cares about you more than you think!
To all the hearts that have been broken
To all the dreamers with abandoned dreams
To everybody in need of a friend now
You are loved! You are loved!
To all the rebels wounded in battle
To all the rockers that have lost that beat
To all the users all used up now
You are loved! You are loved!
You don't need to stand alone
There's someone you can hold on to
I want to let you know
You are loved! You are loved!
This world is such a hard place
You just get lost in the crowd
To some you're just a number
To others you're just somebody hanging around now.
I see the faces and
how can I turn away
Yea! I'm talking to you
I'm trying to get thru
God cares about you more than you think!
To all the hearts that have been broken
To all the dreamers with abandoned dreams
To everybody in need of a friend now
You are loved! You are loved!
To all the rebels wounded in battle
To all the rockers that have lost that beat
To all the users all used up now
You are loved! You are loved!
Sixx1980
I love this song! Mike Stand sounds so sincere. You can tell his heart is in the right spot. I love christian 80's. From Stryper, Barren Cross, Bloodgood to Altar Boys, Undercover, Lifesavers, and even Petra, Idle Cure, Servant, and Degarmo and Key. It was all great. The Jesus music of the 70's started it, but christian rock of the 1980's took it to a whole new level.
pillihp zelaznog
All great bands
Crumb_Trails
You just about nailed my playlist from the 80s. Don't forget Darrell Mansfield
koffin kittie
Thank you for this list! I’m pretty religious and it’s hard to find good music that honors God
Nolan Windholtz
Honestly can say, that without the energy and passion of this music, i dont think i would have made it. God really used the music of The Altar Boys to help me push through some difficult times in the late eighty's. Glad to find you again on youtube. Thank you guys. Bless you big time.
46724389653 3576423171
Nolan Windholtz me too,church blows us off
The Angry Atrox
This one song hit me at a really low time and I praise God for this one song
Steve Clarke
Same story with me. I came to Christ pretty much from listening to Altar Boys When You're a Rebel album.
Whitevaliantwarrior
Never liked punk, but this band had something much different then the others and I always liked them...thanks guys!!
Kevin and Cindy Austin
We love this song!! So glad to find it here! We remember when the Altar Boys played in Long Lake, NY back in 1988. A dear "little old lady" in the church came to the concert at the town hall. We tried to warn her that it might be a little loud... Clara responded, "If they are singing for Jesus, that's all that matters!"