Chris Isaak (born June 26, 1956 in Stockton, California as Christopher Jose… Read Full Bio ↴Chris Isaak (born June 26, 1956 in Stockton, California as Christopher Joseph Isaak) is an American Rock'n'Roll singer, songwriter, and occasional actor.
Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.

He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.

His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.

In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.

In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.

He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.

Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).

Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.

Brightest Star
Chris Isaak Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I saw a star above the clouds
It was the brightest one
And I have just begun to understand you
You give me reason to believe
And though I've doubted you
You always see me through
I would owe to you
Your love

You give it away
I fall to my knees and I pray
And from a cross they say you give your love to everyone
I think of all I've done
And still you care for me
Your love
You give it away
I fall to my knees and I pray
Your love

And in the crowd I smile and listen
As the children sing
Their voices caroling
Each lyric means one thing
Your love
You give it away
I fall to my knees and I pray
Your love

Your love
I praise your love

Overall Meaning

The song "Brightest Star" by Chris Isaak is a beautiful ode to love and faith, and the power that both hold in our lives. The lyrics speak of a star that shines brightly in the sky, representing hope and inspiration. The singer acknowledges that they have only just begun to understand the person they are addressing in the song, and that this person gives them reason to believe.

The singer admits that they have doubted this person at times, but they always come through for them. The song then shifts to an acknowledgement of the love that is given away freely, as represented by the cross. The singer muses on all they have done, but still can’t explain the reason for such unconditional love. They fall to their knees and pray, grateful for the steadfast love that is given without any expectation of return.

The song ends with the beautiful image of children singing and praising, each lyric carrying a profound meaning about the power and grace of love. The singer joins in this chorus of praise, an affirmation of the transformative and healing force that love can be in our lives.

Overall, "Brightest Star" is a moving affirmation of faith and hope in the power of love. It speaks to the ways in which love can bring about transformation and renewal, even in the face of doubt and uncertainty.

Line by Line Meaning

I saw a star above the clouds
I had a moment of clarity and hope

It was the brightest one
It showed me the way and shone above all others

And I have just begun to understand you
I am beginning to comprehend your greatness

You give me reason to believe
You provide me with faith and purpose

And though I've doubted you
I have questioned your ways and intentions

You always see me through
You never abandon me and guide me to safety

I would owe to you
I owe everything to you

Your love
Your unconditional, selfless love

You give it away
You freely offer it to all who seek it

I fall to my knees and I pray
I am humbled and grateful for your presence in my life

And from a cross they say you give your love to everyone
You sacrificed yourself for the greater good of all humanity