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.
Lonely
Crystal Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My soul, my soul
Watch over me
My Father, my Father
In your deepest plan I'll surely stand
It's not how I feel but oh do Thy will
I have asked You, I have asked You, I have asked You again
The hour is at hand for the Son of man
Lonely, was the hour
Lonely, you made it through
Hallelujah!
Lonely, was the hour
Lonely, you made it through
Hallelujah!
I have always found that your love
Would be enough for me
I have always found that your love
Would be enough for me
It will be, it will be
It must happen this way
Everyday, everyday
I would teach and you would let me stay
All my friends this time have left my side
It had happened then to prove the words of other men
I will tell you, I will tell you, I will tell you again
You will see the Son of Man at the right hand
Lonely, was the hour
Lonely, you made it through
Hallelujah!
Lonely, was the hour
Lonely, you made it through
Hallelujah!
I have always found that your love
Would be enough for me
I have always found that your love
Would be enough for me
Lonely, was the hour
Lonely, you made it through
Hallelujah!
Lonely, was the hour
Lonely, you made it through
Hallelujah!
(Repeat x2)
I have always found that your love
Would be enough for me
I have always found that your love
Would be enough for me
(Repeat bridge 4 times to end)
The lyrics to Crystal Lewis's song Lonely are profound and deeply reflective. The song is a prayerful reflection and contemplation about the struggles of life, the loneliness and isolation that one can feel in difficult times, and the ultimate triumph of faith and hope over adversity. The song begins with a prayer, as the singer asks her soul and her Father in heaven to watch over her and guide her through the challenging times that she is facing. She acknowledges that the path ahead may be difficult, and that she may not always understand what is happening, but she knows that she must trust in God's plan and follow His will.
The chorus of the song is a declaration of triumph and perseverance. The singer acknowledges that the hour was lonely and isolating, but even in that darkness, she made it through. The repetition of the word "Hallelujah" emphasizes the spiritual nature of the triumph, as the singer gives thanks and praise to God for carrying her through her struggles. She has always known that His love would be enough for her, and even in the midst of difficulty, she has held fast to that truth.
The final verses of the song provide further reflection on the events that led to the singer's feelings of loneliness and isolation. She had been teaching others, but they had left her side. In the end, however, those events were a testimony to the truth of God's word, and the singer reiterates her faith and trust in Him. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song serves as a reminder that even in our darkest hours, God's love is enough to carry us through.
Line by Line Meaning
My soul, my soul
I am pleading with my own soul to be strong and have faith.
Watch over me
God, please look after me in this moment.
My Father, my Father
Dear God, My Father in heaven, hear my plea.
It it's possible let this pass from me
If it is possible, God, please let this difficult situation pass me by.
In your deepest plan I'll surely stand
Whatever your plan for me, God, I will trust and stand strong in faith.
It's not how I feel but oh do Thy will
I may not feel strong, but I ask you to help me do your will, God.
I have asked You, I have asked You, I have asked You again
I have prayed and begged before, God, but I ask again for your help.
The hour is at hand for the Son of man
This is the pivotal moment for Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Lonely, was the hour
This moment was a lonely and difficult one.
Lonely, you made it through
You were able to persevere through this lonely moment.
Hallelujah!
Praise God for helping me through this difficult moment.
I have always found that your love
I have always known that your love, God, is powerful and sustaining.
Would be enough for me
Your love is enough to get me through any challenge.
It will be, it will be
Whatever happens, God, I trust in your plan.
It must happen this way
This moment and its difficulty is part of your plan for me, God.
Everyday, everyday
Everyday I put my trust in God to guide me through difficulties.
I would teach and you would let me stay
I have tried to teach others about God's love and you have let me stay here on earth to continue doing so.
All my friends this time have left my side
In this difficult moment, even my friends have abandoned me.
It had happened then to prove the words of other men
This is all happening to fulfill prophesies and the predictions of others.
I will tell you, I will tell you, I will tell you again
I will continue to repeat my prayers to God and ask for help.
You will see the Son of Man at the right hand
One day, everyone will see Jesus at the right hand of God.
Repeat x2
The chorus is repeated twice for emphasis and to bring the song to a close.
Repeat bridge 4 times to end
The bridge is repeated four times to close out the song, emphasizing the message of trust in God's love and plan.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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