He performed with several bands, most notably Allies, before launching his solo career.
He is best known for his hit song "Butterfly Kisses", a favorite for father-daughter dances at weddings, which appeared on his third solo album. That album, originally titled Shades of Grace, was later re-released as Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace) because of the success of the single. He co-wrote this song with former Allies partner Randy Thomas and for this they together won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Country Song. Butterfly Kisses has also won a Dove Award for Song of the Year.
Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas also wrote the 1989 Dolly Parton #1 hit song "Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That?
Bob Carlisle also played the french horn as part of the Octavarium Orchestra with the progressive metal group Dream Theater.
Truth
Bob Carlisle Lyrics
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Playing music with the band was the only thing that ever mattered
I never really listened much to rock-n-roll
Grew up on James Brown, Motown and Latin soul
And that's the truth
Se all my homies were of seriouls Latino persuasion
They taught me how to find the groove despite my sole lack of pigmentation
And they anointed me with salsa and rhythm and blues, and
That's the truth, the whole truth, so help me God
I can't pretend to be something I am not
So if my midnight confession seems peculiar to you
Well it may sound crazy but it
Ain't nothin' but the truth
Now me and Jesus had our own kind of understanding
You see He knew I wasn't no choirboy but I guess He wasn't all that demanding
He knew I didn't always walk the line
But He was right there to catch me every time
And that's the truth
You may say it's impossible
"Hey that ain't Butterfly Boy"
I know it sounds so incredible
But it's the truth
Es la verdad, asi' que ayu'deme dios
No puedo ser algo que no soy
Si lo que digo se vea desconocido a ti
You may think I'm crazy
Pero es la verdad
The song "The Truth" by Bob Carlisle is a story of a young boy from Santa Ana who grows up playing music with his band. He reveals that despite not listening much to rock-n-roll, he was a fan of James Brown, Motown, and Latin soul music. The lyrics go on to describe how the boy's Latino friends taught him how to groove and rhythm despite being white, an experience that changed his perspective.
The song's chorus emphasizes the need for honesty and truthfulness, both to oneself and to others. It talks about how we should not pretend to be something that we are not and how the truth, no matter how peculiar it may sound, is always the best policy.
The third verse brings in the religious aspect of truthfulness as the singer talks about his own relationship with Jesus. He admits that he hasn't always followed the right path, but he always knew that Jesus was there to help him out.
Overall, "The Truth" is a song that emphasizes the importance of being honest with oneself and others. It tells a story of how our experiences shape us and how we should embrace them as part of our truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you 'bout a young boy from Santa Ana
I want to share with you a story about a young boy from Santa Ana
Playing music with the band was the only thing that ever mattered
For this young boy, playing music with the band was the most important thing in his life
I never really listened much to rock-n-roll
This boy didn't listen to rock-n-roll very often
Grew up on James Brown, Motown and Latin soul
Instead, he grew up listening to James Brown, Motown, and Latin soul music
And that's the truth
This is an honest statement
Se all my homies were of seriouls Latino persuasion
All of this boy's friends were serious about their Latin heritage
They taught me how to find the groove despite my sole lack of pigmentation
His friends taught him how to dance and appreciate music even though he had white skin
They took a little white boy with shiny shoes
These friends welcomed this white boy into their group
And they anointed me with salsa and rhythm and blues, and
They introduced him to and helped him appreciate salsa and rhythm and blues music
That's the truth, the whole truth, so help me God
This statement is entirely truthful
I can't pretend to be something I am not
He doesn't want to pretend to be someone he's not
So if my midnight confession seems peculiar to you
If what he's confessing seems strange to you
Well it may sound crazy but it
This may seem unbelievable, but
Ain't nothin' but the truth
It's the absolute truth
Now me and Jesus had our own kind of understanding
He had a unique relationship with Jesus
You see He knew I wasn't no choirboy but I guess He wasn't all that demanding
Jesus knew he wasn't perfect, but He still loved him
He knew I didn't always walk the line
Jesus knew that he wasn't always morally straight
But He was right there to catch me every time
However, Jesus was always there to catch him when he fell
And that's the truth
This is an honest statement
You may say it's impossible
Some may think this is impossible
"Hey that ain't Butterfly Boy"
People might not believe that he's who he says he is
I know it sounds so incredible
He's aware that it may seem unbelievable
But it's the truth
But it's the honest truth
Es la verdad, asi' que ayu'deme dios
This is the truth, so help me God
No puedo ser algo que no soy
He can't be someone he's not
Si lo que digo se vea desconocido a ti
If what he's saying seems unfamiliar to you
You may think I'm crazy
You may believe he's crazy
Pero es la verdad
But it's the truth
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: REGIE GLENN HAMM, ROBERT MASON CARLISLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind