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 Found Me
Altar Boys Lyrics
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Everyone had written my life off
Dreamed about better days
And hoped that I could make it happen somehow
Someone please help me
I'm dying from the inside out
Come to find out God loves me
Come to find out I was not alone
You found me!
You found me!
You found me!
You found me!
Regeneration a new sensation
The rebuilding of my broken heart
I've put my faith into action
I've got a clean, a brand new start
The more I seek the more I find You
It seems the wonders never cease
How can I ever repay You
Help me Lord to see just what You see
You found me!
You found me!
You found me!
You found me!
Empty dreams, hollow schemes
Don't get trapped into the things of this world
Or you'll find out like I found out
Hey that just won't fill your life no!!!
Come and see what I see
Man I tell you there is no other way
You want life? Real life?!
Then let Jesus find you like He found me!
You found me!
You found me!
You found me!
You found me!
The Altar Boys song "You Found Me" is a powerful ode to the transformative power of faith. The lyrics describe the singer's journey from feeling lost and alone to finding a sense of purpose and belonging through a relationship with God. The opening lines, "Thought that I was a goner / Everyone had written my life off", express a deep sense of despair and hopelessness. The singer has given up on himself and feels as though he has been abandoned by others. However, despite his feelings of isolation, he retains a glimmer of hope, dreaming of a better life and yearning to make it happen somehow.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "You found me" four times, emphasizing the central theme of the song. The singer has been found by God, who has offered him a new chance at life. The verses that follow describe the singer's experience of "regeneration", a new sensation that arises from the rebuilding of his broken heart. He has put his faith into action and has a clean, brand new start. The more he seeks God, the more wonders he discovers. Despite his own shortcomings, he knows that he is loved and cherished by a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Thought that I was a goner
I believed that I had no hope and was destined to fail
Everyone had written my life off
People around me gave up on me and didn't believe in my potential
Dreamed about better days
I wished for a brighter future
And hoped that I could make it happen somehow
I held onto the possibility of improvement, even if I wasn't sure how to achieve it
Someone please help me
I was in a desperate state and needed assistance
I'm dying from the inside out
I was struggling internally and felt like a part of me was deteriorating
Come to find out God loves me
I discovered that there is a higher power who cares for me
Come to find out I was not alone
I realized that there are people who support me and that I am not isolated
You found me!
The subject is addressing God, thanking Him for saving them
Regeneration a new sensation
The process of renewal brings about a new feeling or experience
The rebuilding of my broken heart
The restoration of emotional wounds and scars
I've put my faith into action
I have acted on my religious beliefs
I've got a clean, a brand new start
The subject is now starting fresh without the weight of their past mistakes
The more I seek the more I find You
As I deepen my spiritual journey, I discover more about God
It seems the wonders never cease
There is no limit to the amount of amazing things one can uncover about God and faith
How can I ever repay You
The subject is expressing their gratitude to God for what He has done for them and asking how they can show it
Help me Lord to see just what You see
The subject is seeking divine guidance to understand God's perspective
Empty dreams, hollow schemes
A warning against seeking satisfaction through material possessions or superficial desires
Don't get trapped into the things of this world
The subject is urging listeners not to prioritize the physical world over spiritual fulfillment
Or you'll find out like I found out
If you prioritize material possessions, you will discover that it does not bring lasting happiness
Hey that just won't fill your life no!!!
Material possessions cannot provide long-term satisfaction and fulfillment
Come and see what I see
The subject is encouraging others to take a look at their own spiritual journey to find similar fulfillment as they have
Man I tell you there is no other way
The subject strongly believes that spiritual fulfillment is the true path to happiness
You want life? Real life?!
The subject is asking listeners if they desire true and genuine satisfaction in their lives
Then let Jesus find you like He found me!
The subject is urging listeners to let their spiritual journey lead them to Jesus, who can provide true fulfillment in life
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.