Shine Through the Stars
Ever try to talk about God at a ba… Read Full Bio ↴Chasen
Shine Through the Stars
Ever try to talk about God at a bar? Faith and clubs may seem unlikely companions, but powerhouse pop/rock trio Chasen sees no need to divide the two. Whether playing for crowds on Sunday at their hometown church, or on weekdays at clubs like House of Blues and Ashville’s own Orange Peel, this new band’s refreshingly unaffected honesty and hook-heavy rock sound right at home.
The band got its start in the church, writing praise and worship choruses for Sunday services and youth group events. Lead singer/songwriter and namesake Chasen Callahan pulled together fellow bandmates — guitarist Silver and drummer Aaron Lord — to help him compile an independent CD of songs Callahan had played at summer youth camps. The music was so good, the disc soon found its way into the hands of upstart label OMG, a small new entertainment enterprise in the historic West End of Greenville, South Carolina. Drawing inspiration from its location — well outside the modern music hubs of L.A., New York, and Nashville — OMG sought to find fresh talent in unexpected places, and saw the young band as a perfect debut for its roster.
OMG’s hunch was correct. Since signing, Chasen has already tasted extensive success, despite not yet having a project in the marketplace. The band has toured heavily, opening for the likes of Relient K, NEEDTOBREATHE, and mainstream rockers Sister Hazel. They’ve already seen an early single, “Crazy Beautiful,” climb to a Top-5 position on Christian radio charts. Leveraging its forward-thinking predilection, OMG also orchestrated a cross-promotion with the Zipit Wireless Messenger 2, or “Z2,” whereby national advertising for the hot new teen-targeted portable device prominently features Chasen’s music.
These accomplishments provide an impressive segue to the band’s national debut, Shine Through the Stars. Showcasing their inspirational brand of rootsy pop, the 13-song collection is set to release in April 2008 for OMG Music and distribution partner EMI CMG. Chasen recorded the project at OMG Studios under the direction of award-winning producer Noel Golden, whose earlier credits include Matchbox Twenty, Edwin McCain, and Lee Ann Womack.
Sole songwriter and lead singer Callahan also contributed guitar and piano on the project. A prolific, self-taught musician, Callahan says his ability runs in the family. “When I was 13, I played drums for my dad’s band” – an ensemble facetiously dubbed ‘Potter Zye.’ Dad next encouraged him to lead worship songs for the youth group at church, and Callahan’s talent grew from there.
The songs on Shine Through the Stars center around trying to live a life of conscience and conviction amid a society where that pursuit can be polarizing. Writing candidly from his own experience, Callahan manages to provide a positive voice in his music without proselytizing, creating a project that is easily accessible to a wide variety of listeners.
Case in point is the radio single “Crazy Beautiful.” In jangly, melodically-driven rock, the song offers an up-beat, healthy perspective on the pressure we all feel to maintain a camera-perfect image. “This song is for the ones who think they’re not pretty enough or cool enough,” Callahan explains. “The next time you look at yourself in the mirror, remember that God looks at us all the same. He’s capable of making you exactly how you were intended to be.” The song’s sympathetic reminder that it’s what is on the inside that counts has propelled it up radio charts and connected Chasen with a host of teenage fans.
The project also dips into more plaintive subject matter at points. “Drown” — a song about overcoming lust — was written several years ago when Callahan was struggling with making responsible choices about dating and sex. Then a hot-blooded American teenager himself, he penned the gentle ballad while sitting alone at South Carolina’s venerable Folly Beach in the early hours of the morning. The waves mirrored the thoughts he felt would overwhelm him.
“God has a way of teaching us through everyday life,” he recalls. “Drowning in those circumstances I was dealing with at the time was not an option, and this song is about finding redemption from that situation.”
Throughout the project, Callahan’s songs reveal his close relationship with God. Following Christ is a singular passion of his that adds an earnest depth to his songwriting. Not complicated or religious, Callahan’s songs manage to remain a simple, humble, and grateful acknowledgement of the Divine at work in his life.
“Waking up to a sunrise or watching a sunset over the ocean makes me thankful,” he admits. He often sees God reflected in nature, from the mountains in his hometown of Pickens, South Carolina, to the Pacific Northwest wilderness surrounding his extended family in Oregon. Stars have a particular significance for Callahan, thanks to a cherished memory of his grandfather that forms the foundation of the album’s title, and closing, song.
“My grandfather was a huge inspiration in my life,” he says. “Just before he died, when I was ten years old, he told me to find a star and never look away. By that, he meant to choose a goal and strive to achieve that goal, without ever looking back.”
With the release of Shine Through the Stars, Callahan and his eponymously-titled band are looking ahead to more than they even dared to dream. As heavy touring continues and the promise of further radio success builds, Chasen is on a path that will enable them to share their message of hope with a much larger audience.
“Christ didn’t stay within the four walls of a church,” Callahan says. “He went to the streets. That’s where I feel led to go, too. People need to know that Christ loves them no matter where they are.”
And, whether it’s Sunday, Saturday, or any day in between, Chasen is prepared to take that message to them.
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One in a Million
Chasen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing still when I should be moving
Infront of an open door
But I forget what I thought I was proving
Lay down these thoughts that I dig up again and again
Oh, oh, I'm holding on now
Even though my world is upside down
Cause I know as I'm standing right here to you I'm not
Just one in a million
Well I don't know what to do
At least that's what I keep on saying
And never a moment too soon
You show me that there's a way in
With each step I take you will make the next one become clear
Oh, oh, I'm holding on now
Even though my world is upside down
Break the chains of my doubt and set me free
Cause I know as I'm standing right here to you I'm not
Just one in a million
I know I don't have to stay right here
Cause wherever I go I know you're there
Oh, oh, I'm holding on now
Even though my world is upside down
Break the chains of my doubt and set me free
Cause I know as I'm standing right here to you I'm not
(just one in a million)
Cause I know as I'm standing right here to you I'm not
Just one in a million
The lyrics to Chasen's song One in a Million speak about the internal struggle of feeling stuck, unsure of what to do next. The singer is standing in front of an open door but is hesitant to move forward because of self-doubt and insecurity. The lyrics convey a sense of feeling lost and directionless, grappling with the uncertainty of the future. The repetition of the phrase, "even though my world is upside down," emphasizes the emotional turmoil the singer is going through.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the transformative power of faith and love. The singer is asking to break the chains of doubt and set them free because they know that they are not just one in a million. The connection with a higher power gives them the strength to move forward and find their way.
Overall, One in a Million is a song about self-discovery, finding the courage to take a step forward, and the transformative power of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
What am I waiting for?
I am questioning myself why I am not taking steps towards progress
Standing still when I should be moving
I am not making progress even though I am aware I should
Infront of an open door
Opportunities for progress are available to me
But I forget what I thought I was proving
I am not aware of my purpose or goals, and as a result, I am unable to make progress towards them
Lay down these thoughts that I dig up again and again
I am fighting the same negative thoughts and feelings repeatedly, and it is preventing me from making progress
Oh, oh, I'm holding on now
I am determined to make progress, even though it is difficult
Even though my world is upside down
Even though my life is challenging right now
Break the chains of my doubt and set me free
Help me overcome my self-doubt and gain confidence to achieve my goals
Cause I know as I'm standing right here to you I'm not
I know that to you, I have value and I am not just another face in the crowd
Just one in a million
I am unique and special, not just one of many
Well I don't know what to do
I am lost and unsure of what steps to take
At least that's what I keep on saying
I am making excuses to avoid taking responsibility for my lack of progress
And never a moment too soon
It is important for me to act quickly if I wish to achieve my goals
You show me that there's a way in
Someone or something has shown me a way to progress towards my goals
With each step I take you will make the next one become clear
Each small step I take will help me gain clarity on the next steps I need to take towards my goals
I know I don't have to stay right here
I am not trapped or stuck in my current situation
Cause wherever I go I know you're there
I have faith that I am not alone on my journey towards progress
Contributed by Keira M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.