In 1984, at the age of 15, Lewis auditioned for a children's musical called Hi Tops, written and produced by Ernie and Debbie Retino, creators of Psalty, the Singing Song Book. Lewis passed the audition and was able to go into the studio and participate in the Soundtrack recording with the rest of the cast members. While working with the musical, Lewis met a member of the Rockabilly band, The Lifters. After becoming friends with the members of that band, Lewis was asked to join. Soon after, the band changed its name to Wild Blue Yonder. Lewis also met her current husband, Brian Ray, through her association with the band.
Wild Blue Yonder was together for two years and recorded a single full length album, produced by Daniel Amos frontman Terry Scott Taylor, for Frontline Records in 1986. She would also sing on D.A.'s album Fearful Symmetry in 1986, and Taylor's solo album A Briefing for the Ascent in 1987. After Wild Blue Yonder disbanded, Frontline offered Lewis a solo recording contract at the age of 17. Beyond the Charade, her first solo project, was released in 1987. Lewis went on to record two more albums for Frontline, Joy in 1988, and Let Love In in 1990, before starting her own record label, Metro One Music in 1992 with a distribution deal through Diamante Music Group.
For a brief time, Lewis starred in a Nickelodeon Television series called Roundhouse. Lewis left the show after one year.
Her next solo project, Remember, was recorded and released on Metro One label in 1992, followed by The Bride in 1993, and Hymns: My Life in 1995. The Bride was listed at # 97 in the 2001 book, CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. A greatest hits collection released that year landed Lewis in the # 1 spot on the Pop/Dance charts with her rendition of "Shine Jesus Shine." Beauty For Ashes was released in 1996, the first album from Metro One to be distributed through a new arrangement with Myrrh Records. Ashes was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, and the song "People Get Ready...Jesus Is Comin' " was the # 1 song of the year (1996) in Christian Radio. The album also won an ASCAP award for "Beauty For Ashes" as the most played song (1997). The album contained four # 1 radio singles: "People get ready...Jesus is Comin' ", "Beauty of the Cross", "God's been good to me", and "Beauty for Ashes."
Gold was released in 1998 and gave Lewis two # 1 hits, "Lord, I Believe in You" and "Not the Same". Gold was later re-issued that same year with a new recording of "Lean On Me" (lead vocals by Crystal Lewis), which originally appeared on Kirk Franklin's album The Nu Nation Project that included "Lean on Me" featuring Mary J. Blige, R.Kelly, Bono, Crystal Lewis and The Family. That same year, Crystal won Dove Awards for "Female Vocalist of the Year" and "Spanish Language Album of the Year" for La Belleza de la Cruz. Lewis also joined Franklin along with Gerald Levert, Mary J. Blige, and Bono on stage at the 1999 Grammy Awards for a performance of "Lean on Me."
Lewis returned to her Rockabilly roots briefly in 1999 with The Attack of the Screamin' Rays. The live project Live @ The Woodlands, recorded live in Houston, Texas on November 6, 1998, was also released that year. Crystal picked up two more Dove awards in 1999 for "Special Event Album" for her contribution to the project Exodus, and "Spanish Language Album" for Oro. In 2000, Lewis released Fearless, which was nominated for "Best Christian Pop Album of the Year" at the 2000 Grammy Awards. The song "Only Fools" from that album was voted song of the year by ASCAP. Her first Christmas album, Holiday! A Collection of Christmas Classics, went on to be voted the 5th Best Christmas album of all-time by CCM Magazine.
Crystal released her second greatest hits project More in 2001. A second live project, More Live, recorded at the Sun Theater in Anaheim, California on November 17, 2001, was released in 2002, along with another collection of hymns and gospel standards, Holy, Holy, Holy. See was released in 2005, and, the children's project, Joyful Noise was released in 2006.
It's Heaven
Crystal Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am lost without you
I lose my way when you're not near
I am cold when I'm alone
I sometimes forget just who I am
I am borrowed I am bruised
When I'm broken then I'm used
I have strength and I have Peace
The hope of heaven's always near
(chorus)-
It's only human
When I fall I feel I can't go on
It's only heaven now
That carries me and takes me over
Your lifted voice has carried
Your words have burned and scarred my heart
You find in me what no one sees
You have shown me life's complete
I am human but I've grace
As I fall I see your face
Then I sing of you and look to you
I am blessed for when I fear
The hope of heaven's always near
(chorus)
(bridge)
I have taken your oath
And you preserve my life
Your words have covered me
(chorus repeat 3x)
Crystal Lewis's song "It's Heaven" is a ballad that beautifully captures the feeling of loss and longing for someone. The song begins with Brian Ray professing his dependency on someone and how he is lost without them. When he is alone, he feels cold and forgets who he truly is, but he finds strength and peace in the hope of heaven that is always near. The chorus echoes the sentiment that when we fall, we can only be carried over by heaven's grace.
Throughout the song, Brian Ray speaks about this person who has had a profound impact on his life, who has carried him through some of his toughest times. He attributes his grace to this person and sings of them often. In the bridge, he takes an oath to this person, knowing that they will preserve his life, and their words have covered him.
In summary, "It's Heaven" is a beautiful testament to the power of human connection and the grace of God. It's a song that speaks of finding strength and resilience through faith, even in the darkest of times. The chorus is particularly impactful, highlighting the notion that it's only heaven that can ultimately carry us through life's most arduous moments.
Line by Line Meaning
I am lost without you
My life feels aimless and hopeless when I am not with you
I lose my way when you're not near
I struggle to find direction and purpose without you by my side
I am cold when I'm alone
My heart feels empty and cold when I am without you
I sometimes forget just who I am
Without you, I often feel lost and unsure of my identity
I am borrowed I am bruised
I often feel used and hurt by the world around me
When I'm broken then I'm used
I feel like people take advantage of me when I am at my lowest
I have strength and I have Peace
Despite the hardships I face, I have inner peace and strength to carry on
I've traded fire for my fear
I've learned to face my fears head-on and overcome them
The hope of heaven's always near
I find comfort in the belief that heaven is waiting for me when my time on Earth is done
It's only human
Being human means experiencing pain, doubt, and fear
When I fall I feel I can't go on
I sometimes feel completely defeated when I face failure or hardship
It's only heaven now
Heaven provides the hope and inspiration to keep going when life is hard
That carries me and takes me over
The hope of heaven lifts me up and helps me to keep moving forward
Your lifted voice has carried
Your words of encouragement and support have helped me through tough times
Your words have burned and scarred my heart
Your words have left a lasting impression on me, for better or for worse
You find in me what no one sees
You have a special understanding of me that others do not
You have shown me life's complete
Through your love and support, I feel whole and complete as a person
I am human but I've grace
Despite my flaws and shortcomings, I have inner strength and resilience
As I fall I see your face
When I feel like I'm losing control, I turn to you for comfort and support
Then I sing of you and look to you
I find joy and peace by focusing on your love and grace
I am blessed for when I fear
Even in my moments of fear and doubt, I am grateful for the hope of heaven waiting for me
I have taken your oath
I have made a commitment to follow you and trust in your love and guidance
And you preserve my life
Your love and support provide me with the strength to keep going even when life is hard
Your words have covered me
Your wisdom and encouragement serve as a protective shield against the hardships of life
chorus repeat 3x
The chorus serves as a reminder that even in our moments of weakness and doubt, the hope of heaven can provide the strength we need to keep going
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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