In 2000, brothers Bradd Shapiro and Steve Shapiro performed with high school friends Mike Ferrara and Corey Melton. The band soon added Greg Hejja as a bassist, and began performing under the name Berman in 2001. After playing local gigs a few times a month in South Florida venues the group began taking their music a little more seriously. In 2002, the band began recording tracks for their debut full-length album. It was during this time that singer Corey Melton donned the fictitious name Guy Jettman. As practice and live performance became more important, the band found it necessary to part with rhythm guitarist Ferrara.
In Fall, 2002, Greg and Bradd moved to Orlando in order to attend the University of Central Florida. Although the distance made practice more difficult, they continued to play shows, and finish the album. For The Better was released in January, 2003. The band held a CD release party at the Culture Room. After playing Orlando's Hard Rock Live on August 9, 2003, the band parted with lead singer Corey Melton, and went on an extensive search to find a replacement singer. Greg and Bradd moved back to Hollywood, where Steve was finishing up high school. Brad moved back to Orlando in January 2004.
While the band was on hiatus, they added Greg's brother, Mike Hejja, as an additional guitarist and background vocalist. After graduating Valedictorian of his class, Steve joined his brother, Bradd at The University of Central Florida. After a very frustrating search, the band put hard feelings aside and reunited with singer, Guy Jettman/Corey Melton in August 2004.
Sessions for Berman's second full-length release began as early as 2002 and continued through the band's hiatus. After the singer's return the band finished up the tracks, again at Shapiro's home studio, and released Life In The Stars in December, 2004. The band hosted a CD release party at Bradd and Steve's house near the UCF campus.
The band promoted the album heavily on Podcasts around the world, which boosted online sales, and created much anticipation for the follow-up release. In 2005, the band began recording demos for their third release. As shows increased, and a new album underway, Greg and Jettman moved to Orlando to make practice and songwriting easier. The band hired vocal coach Mark Goff to work with Jettman in an effort to increase his voice's longevity. The album was recorded in January and February, 2006, and later debuted their new recorded material on Jason Evangelho's Insomnia Radio Podcast. Berman officially released their third album, Send Me To The End, on April 14, 2006, at a CD release party at Backbooth in Orlando.
On June 10, 2006, Berman hired local group Flying Dog Films to shoot their first professional music video. The song chosen was the title track of their new album. The video was shot at Summit Church in Orlando, since the building was formerly a movie theater undergoing remodeling. Recent conflicts and frustrations all came to a head under the stress of the 14-hour video shoot. And for the second and final time, the band split up with their singer. The four remaining members employed various singers in order to fulfill their performance obligations. The band played their last performance on September 24, 2006 in Lake Mary, Florida.
Guitarist Bradd Shapiro and bassist Gregg Hejja performed as the chief songwriters of the band. Steve, who recorded most of the bands material, often acted as the arranger. Mike Hejja wrote most of his own guitar parts, which made him an attractive addition to the band in 2004.
In 2007, Greg signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and began to promote Greg Hejja Music.
Lift Me Up
Berman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And nights won't seem to end,
When every step that I take is just a wound to mend,
I look over my shoulder, you've seen what I've become,
How can You still look me in the eyes and call me son
You lift me up, You dust me off,
You tell me everything will be okay
Ashamed I fall to my face,
I'm scared of what You've seen,
When words begin to whisper, my actions rise and scream,
You've seen but You've forgiven,
I can see the tears I put in Your eyes,
They turn from pain to gladness as I drop my pride
The lyrics to Berman's song Lift Me Up are a reflection of the singer's struggle with feelings of inadequacy and a desire for redemption. The first verse sets the tone for the entire song, with lines such as "As days are getting shorter" and "nights won't seem to end" indicating a sense of hopelessness and despair. With each step the singer takes, they feel as if they are simply trying to mend wounds and overcome obstacles.
The second half of the verse shifts to a more hopeful and uplifting tone as the singer addresses God directly. Despite feeling lost and broken, the singer marvels at how God is still able to see them as a son, suggesting that even when they feel they are at their worst, God still recognizes their worth and potential.
The chorus of the song is a simple yet powerful statement of faith, with the singer speaking directly to God and expressing gratitude for the way in which they have been lifted up and given hope. The second verse continues this theme of redemption, with the singer acknowledging their shortcomings and expressing a deep sense of shame over what they have done. However, they are heartened by the idea that God has forgiven them, and that their tears of pain can be turned into tears of gladness through humility and repentance.
Overall, Berman's song Lift Me Up is a moving tribute to the power of hope, faith, and redemption in times of great trial.
Line by Line Meaning
As days are getting shorter,
With daylight hours receding,
And nights won't seem to end,
And nights feel like they'll never conclude,
When every step that I take is just a wound to mend,
Where every movement hurts and needs curing,
I look over my shoulder, you've seen what I've become,
I turn back and view how I've changed,
How can You still look me in the eyes and call me son
And yet despite all this, You communicate that I'm still Your child
You lift me up, You dust me off,
You elevate me and clean me up
You tell me everything will be okay
You assure me that everything will work out
Ashamed I fall to my face,
I'm embarrassed and collapse to the earth,
I'm scared of what You've seen,
I'm afraid of what You might have witnessed,
When words begin to whisper, my actions rise and scream,
When words taunt me, and my behavior becomes audible,
You've seen but You've forgiven,
You've seen my faults, but still granted me forgiveness,
I can see the tears I put in Your eyes,
I observe the sadness I brought to Your eyes,
They turn from pain to gladness as I drop my pride
But they transform from suffering to joy as I abandon my ego
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew Watkins, Geri Halliwell, Paul Wilson, Tracy Ackermann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind