Norman was originally involved in Young Life Ministries and gained a considerable fan base by performing at the summer camps there. This has drawn parallels to musician Matt Wertz and producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant), both who gained fame through their involvement with Young Life. Upon releasing Big Blue Sky, his third album, Norman included a slip asking for donations to the organization. His song "Walk Down This Mountain" is about an experience at Young Life's Wilderness Ranch.
Norman released Between the Dreaming and the Coming True in September 2006. The tour in support of this album featured Christian music newcomers Aaron Shust and Brandon Heath. Norman is a graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. His song, "To Find My Way To You" was used on various promos for the CBS sitcom, The Class.
Bebo's single called "Britney" is written to Britney Spears, and is featured on Norman's ninth studio self-titled album. Recently (2007–2008) Bebo has appeared with several notable Christian artists on tour as they present Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb" concerts during the Christmas season.
Bebo Norman's new album, "Ocean", released on September 28, 2010. It's a personal album, according to Norman, that covers the discovery of his true identity and the battle between fear and faith. The singer/songwriter told CBN.com that he hopes "Ocean" causes listeners to "look internally… at where they draw their own identity from. It’s worth wrestling with who we are, where we draw our value from, and where we draw our life from and .... refocusing on the source of whatever season of life we are in rather than focusing on the season itself."
Collide
Bebo Norman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’ve seen the best of things
I’ve seen my kingdoms rise and fall
I’ve seen the wound in everyone I know
All of these things and still I hold on tight
To the altars I keep building to the sky
To the coffers and my failed attempts to fly
I’ve held the promises of man
Drank from that water deep
And I’ve held beauty in my hands
I kissed her mouth and watched her turn to sand
All of these things and still I hold on tight
To the altars I keep building to the sky
To the coffers and my failed attempts to fly away
How long, how long
Must we hold on, hold on
Before grace and gravity collide
Hold on tight
To the altars I keep building to the sky
To the coffers and my failed attempts to fly away
And still you say, you’re mine, you’re mine
The songwriter in Bebo Norman's song "Collide" expresses his observations and experiences of the world around him. He has seen "kingdoms rise and fall" and has witnessed the "wound in everyone" he knows. Despite all of these things, he continues to cling to the altars he has built and the attempts he has made to fly. He has drunk from the "promises of man" and held "beauty in his hands" that turned to sand. The chorus poses the question of how long one must hold on before grace and gravity collide. The singer is still holding on, but the ending reassures that he belongs to a greater power that will sustain him.
The overall message of the song is about the internal struggle of trying to find stability and meaning in a constantly changing world. The singer has experienced the highs and lows of life and is trying to find some sort of anchoring force. The altars he builds represent his attempts to hold onto something, but they prove to be unsuccessful as they cannot satisfy his needs. The plea to grace and gravity to collide is his hope that something greater than himself will intervene and give him the direction he needs.
Line by Line Meaning
I’ve seen the writing on the wall
I have been able to predict the future and read signs of what is to come.
I’ve seen the best of things
I have experienced the greatest things that life has to offer.
I’ve seen my kingdoms rise and fall
I have witnessed my successes and failures in life.
I’ve seen the wound in everyone I know
I have observed the pain and struggles that all those close to me have faced.
All of these things and still I hold on tight
Despite all of these experiences and challenges, I still cling to my beliefs and values.
To the altars I keep building to the sky
I keep creating opportunities to connect with a higher power or something greater than myself.
To the coffers and my failed attempts to fly
I continue to accumulate wealth and possessions, but my attempts to reach success have not always been fruitful.
I’ve held the promises of man
I have been promised success or fulfillment by others, but those promises have not always been kept.
Drank from that water deep
I have indulged in pleasures and desires that offer temporary satisfaction.
And I’ve held beauty in my hands
I have experienced powerful emotions and moments of beauty, but they have not always lasted.
I kissed her mouth and watched her turn to sand
I have experienced moments of beauty that have quickly faded or disappeared altogether.
How long, how long
For how much longer must we continue to struggle?
Must we hold on, hold on
Do we need to hold on tightly to our beliefs and values in the face of life's challenges?
Before grace and gravity collide
When will the forces of good and evil come into balance?
To the altars I keep building to the sky
I continue to search for something greater than myself.
And still you say, you’re mine, you’re mine
Despite all of life's uncertainties, I find comfort in the belief that a higher power is watching over me.
Writer(s): Bebo Norman, Gabe Scott
Contributed by Caden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marcucristi7950
I've seen the writing on the wall
I've seen the best of things
I've seen my kingdoms rise and fall
I've seen the wound in everyone I know
All of these things and still I hold on tight
To the altars I keep building to the sky
To the coffers and my failed attempts to fly
I've held the promises of man
Drank from that water deep
And I've held beauty in my hands
I kissed her mouth and watch her turn to sand
All of these things and still I hold on tight
To the altars I keep building to the sky
To the coffers and my failed attempts to fly away
How long, how long
Must we hold on, hold on
Before grace and gravity collide?
Hold, hold on tight....
To the altars I keep building to the sky
To the coffers and my failed attempts to fly away
And still You say, you're mine, you're mine
@spartansix2323
Bebo is the kind of guy that if I could have someone sit in a corner and sing about my life….. it would be him for sure. Such a God given talent for singing and songwriting.
@silenedemattos2615
I've loved Bebo Norman´s songs for more than a decade. I was sad when he stopped recording. This is an old song but it is the first time I'm listening. It just became one of my favorite ones.
@yahua9287
Bebo Norman is one of the most talented and deep artists in christian music history.
@jasonr6643
Hoping one day he will play again. He has a successful 2nd career as an ENT PA and serving his community. I’ve seen him live twice. His music is beautiful, in some cases gut wrenching, and powerful. If he ever decided to perform again for only a couple of nights for those that still listen to his music I would make whatever trip to be there. His loyal fans would come out and see him.
Music isn’t something that just gets put on hold or buried. It burrows into your soul and travels with you for the remainder of your life. Songwriters never truly stop making music. It is a part of them that drives their motivations in life. Whatever that may be. I truly feel that Bebo may one day play again. If only for while.
@andymburu
Still trying to deal with the fact that he is not singing anymore. Thanks for being faithful with your gift Bebo.
@tomadams5582
Love this guy . He's like the Ryan Adams of Christian acoustic music . Thankyou Lord for great Christian acoustic like this .
@f2white
New item for bucket list: take Bebo Norman out for coffee. Get a dark french press brew. And thank him.
@jacquelineoboyle2189
One of my huge inspirations. God Bless you! Bebo Norman you have changed my life in so many ways! Thank you and thank you LORD for your disciple in Christ! :)
@strasbourg-eu
Many bands are inspired by Bebo Norman's talent🤓🔥
May God bless you 😃and thank you to exist ! 🤗🙏💪👍
@rigcarrc
Yes it is a beautiful song, very grateful for so many OF GODS ARTISTS to touch our lives for HIS GLORY, in the darkest of times, with real love and guidance.