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.
Tomorrow
Crystal Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whisp'ring thoughts of nagging
Tomorrow's just beyond my reach
It's ever always subtleties seem harmless for the moment
It's venom is most bitter every time I give in
Complacency is danger in its purest form
It talks me into things to which I would otherwise conform
Given my ability to give in to the easy way
Tomorrow is much easier to deal with than today
But when tomorrow comes I still don't wanna change
Why am I willing to replace a wealth of wonder
With a life of sure uncertainty
Tomorrow may not ever even be
How can I combat a complacent state of mind
I need a constant reminder of the wrong and wasted time
I need to train my heart in ways of seeing heaven as my home
I need to take the power given as my own
Tomorrow is much easier to deal with than today
But when tomorrow comes I still don't wanna change
Why am I willing to replace a wealth of wonder
With a life of sure uncertainty
Tomorrow may not ever even be
I know what's required of me
I want to do right, I want to do right
What is it that's keeping me from change
The song "Tomorrow" by Crystal Lewis is a powerful reflection on the dangers of complacency and the importance of taking action in the present to avoid regret in the future. The first verse describes complacency as a dangerous force that can lead us astray by whispering subtle thoughts of procrastination and laziness. The singer acknowledges their own weakness for giving in to the easy way out and realizes how this behavior is in conflict with their spiritual values. The second verse continues this theme by emphasizing the temptation to put off change until tomorrow, but ultimately questioning whether tomorrow will even come. The chorus acts as a reminder that true growth and fulfillment require action in the present, and that complacency will only lead to a life of uncertainty and regret.
Throughout the song, the singer is grappling with the difficult task of combating a complacent state of mind. They recognize that it's not enough to simply desire change, but that it requires constant effort and commitment to challenge oneself and resist the pull of complacency. The lyrics suggest that this can only be achieved through a deep sense of purpose and a clear vision of the kind of person one wants to become. In the final moments of the song, the singer expresses a determination to overcome complacency and take ownership of their life, but also acknowledges the ongoing struggle and the need for continued vigilance and self-reflection.
Overall, "Tomorrow" is a poignant and relatable exploration of the universal struggle to live up to our best selves and avoid falling into patterns of complacency and stagnation.
Line by Line Meaning
Complacency can kill as a liar and a thief
Complacency is lethal because it deceives and steals away my motivation.
Whisp'ring thoughts of nagging
Thoughts of procrastination and uncertainty linger in my mind.
Tomorrow's just beyond my reach
I keep pushing my goals and aspirations to tomorrow, but it never arrives.
It's ever always subtleties seem harmless for the moment
The little distractions and excuses seem insignificant at first, but they add up.
It's venom is most bitter every time I give in
The negative consequences of complacency are always worse when I give in.
Complacency is danger in its purest form
Complacency is a grave and severe danger to my progress.
It talks me into things to which I would otherwise conform
Complacency convinces me to do things that go against my principles and values.
Given my ability to give in to the easy way
Considering how susceptible I am to taking the easy way out.
No wonder why my spirit hates my flesh
It's no surprise that my conscience disapproves of my complacent behavior.
Tomorrow is much easier to deal with than today
I tend to procrastinate because facing my problems tomorrow seems more attractive than tackling them today.
But when tomorrow comes I still don't wanna change
Even when tomorrow arrives, I'm still reluctant to make any changes.
Why am I willing to replace a wealth of wonder
Why am I okay with settling for mediocrity when greatness is within reach?
With a life of sure uncertainty
Why do I trade a life of potential success for a life of uncertainty and regret?
Tomorrow may not ever even be
Why am I so fixated on a future that may never arrive?
How can I combat a complacent state of mind
What can I do to overcome my tendency to be complacent?
I need a constant reminder of the wrong and wasted time
I need to continually remind myself of the consequences of lost opportunities.
I need to train my heart in ways of seeing heaven as my home
I need to adopt a mindset that values eternal rewards over temporal pleasures.
I need to take the power given as my own
I need to seize control of my thoughts and actions to break free from complacency.
I know what's required of me
I'm fully aware of what I need to do to achieve my goals.
I want to do right, I want to do right
I genuinely want to make the necessary changes to live a fulfilling life.
What is it that's keeping me from change
What obstacles or fears am I holding onto that prevent me from making progress?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES DAVID WINCHESTER, PAUL CLARK, SIMON LEWIS, WARREN BUTSON, XANDER BUTCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind