In listening to the album, it is obvious Gokey has a strong sense of who he is as an artist and what he wants to say to his audience. There’s a focus and a sense of purpose rarely found on a debut disc. “It’s country, but it has a little different edge,” says the Milwaukee native. “I want to create my own fingerprint, and I want my music to say something. I want to have an emotional connection, but at the same time, I want to make people just have a good time, make them want to dance, have fun and party. I wanted to throw all those emotions in that CD, and I feel like I accomplished that.”
During his tenure on American Idol, Gokey impressed the judges with his versatility as he performed hits by The Temptations, Carrie Underwood, Michael Jackson and Rascal Flatts, among others. As he continued to rise through the ranks of Idol hopefuls, it became increasingly clear that Gokey was blessed with a voice that could sing any style of music and turn any song into a compelling moment. So why did he choose a career as a country artist? “I felt like I could be myself,” he says matter-of-factly, and admits he got some career advice from someone he respected. “Randy Travis was a mentor for American Idol, and he asked me, ‘Have you thought about country? You really need to, because people would love you and the amount of soul that you could bring to country. You bring a uniqueness to it.’”
Gokey is still somewhat surprised and humbled by the encouragement he got from one of his musical idols, and says the overall American Idol experience helped him define who is as an artist. “As the show progressed, I started to find myself and started to hone in on who I want to be, what I want to be, and what I want to represent,” Gokey relates. “The thing that I identified with the most was the message. When I sing, I want to sing something passionately, and I want to sing something that has a lot of meaning to me. I always found that in country. I want to be known as a country singer the rest of my life.”
Gokey’s life before American Idol embodies the themes that populate the country music lexicon, from his humble roots in a poor but loving family to his hard-working days as a truck driver to the loss of the person most dear to him: his wife, Sophia. Life has prepared Danny Gokey to sing country music.
Born the fifth of six children, Danny grew up in a family that was often short on cash, but long on love and encouragement. His parents were music fans and introduced their children to a variety of sounds including Motown, jazz, and country. “My first CD was Wynonna Judd, and I loved it. I love her,” Gokey gushes. “She had this soul that went into it, and you just felt the music when it played, and the first single that I bought in my life was Tim McGraw’s ‘Don’t Take the Girl.’ I listened to that song, and it made me want to cry. Vince Gill is another one of my favorites.”
Like many artists before him, from the legendary Aretha Franklin to Platinum-selling rock band Switchfoot, Gokey can trace his musical roots to the church. While working in the music departments at two different churches, Gokey also logged hard days as a trucker. “I drove an eighteen wheeler semi-truck, a big rig,” he says. “I liked it actually. Was it what I wanted to settle with for the rest of my life? No, because music was where my passion was.”
His wife encouraged Danny to give American Idol a shot, but just a month before the audition, Sophia died unexpectedly after what should have been a routine heart surgery. The couple had been high school sweethearts, and Danny was devastated. He found solace and healing in music. “Music was the key place where I would go, and I would let the sorrow come out, let the tears just roll. Some music I would listen to had a determination in it, and I resolved that this is not going to be the thing that destroys me for the rest of my life. It can be turned into a building block, and I can become a better person for it. Music brought healing. That’s how I got through and still get through it today.”
Knowing firsthand the power of music, Gokey entered the studio determined to craft a debut album filled with songs that matter. “I definitely have something to say with this album, and I think people will recognize that,” he says. “Music was the catalyst that helped bring healing, a determination and a resolve. That’s why I want to do music. I want to bring that same hope. When my wife passed, I tried out for American Idol, and music brought me hope. It brought me a reason to live again. Now I want to bring that into my music.”
Working with producer Mark Bright, well known for his work with Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts, Gokey has crafted an album filled with memorable, meaningful songs, penned by some of the industry’s top songwriters. Veteran tunesmiths Marv Green and Kent Blazy penned the title track and first single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me.” It’s a buoyant look toward a brighter future, an optimistic anthem sure to be adopted by all who believe in better days ahead.
“I Still Believe” is a groove-oriented number co-written by American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. “It’s Only” is a powerful call to action that illustrates some of life’s challenges and encourages us to make a difference where we can. Penned by Tom Douglas and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, the song is a compelling ballad that demonstrates the range and emotional depth in Gokey’s soul-drenched voice.
“I Will Not Say Goodbye,” written by Lari White, Chuck Cannon and Vicky McGehee, is a poignant ballad that Gokey says he just had to record. “That song just totally represents what I felt when my wife passed away,” says Gokey, who has launched a charitable foundation, Sophia’s Heart, in his wife’s memory. “Sophia’s Heart got started because I wanted to keep her legacy alive.”
Though there are songs sure to make listeners stop in their tracks and examine their priorities, there are also several that will inspire fans to roll down the windows and sing along. “Life on Ya” and “Get Away” are infectious slices of fun, and “Crazy Not To” captures the exhilaration of falling in love. “You don’t want people to feel overwhelmed with one certain thing,” Gokey says of balancing the meatier songs with more fun fare. “You want them to experience different things, and I think we accomplished that. At one point, I said, ‘I want fun, fun songs!’ You want to be very balanced, and I feel like we did a good job at that. Sometimes I want to have fun just for no reason.”
Poignant, rowdy, thought-provoking and smile-inducing -- Danny Gokey’s debut album is all those things and so much more. It’s a reflection of life’s peaks and valleys from a young man well acquainted with both. “I’m very proud of this CD. Every song has something to say,” he relates. “We’re all human, and human beings are made up of so many different aspects. We want to be entertained, but we also want to be inspired, and music is a universal language.”
Hes Great singer too if your a fan plz listen to his music
Stand By Me
Danny Gokey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the moon is the only, only light we see
No I won't be afraid, no no no no no no I won't be afraid
Just as long, just as long, just as long as you stand by me
My darlin', darlin'
Whenever I'm in trouble darling won't you stand
I need just a little helping hand
If the sky we look upon should tumble and fall
All the mountains may crumble, may crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry and no no no no I won't shed no tears
Just as long, just as long, just as long as you stand by me
My darlin', darlin', I said I need somebody baby
I need just a little helping hand
Need some one to come pick me up and make you stand by me
Come on, come on my baby, yeah
My, my, my, my, my baby, oh oh
Come on, come on and stand, stand by me
And darlin', darlin' stand by me
Come on pretty baby, stand, stand by me
Come on and help me baby
I need a little love, come on and stand right by me
Whenever I'm in trouble won't you stand
Come and stand, stand by me
My, my, my, my, my baby, come on
I need a little bit of loving
The lyrics of Danny Gokey's "Stand By Me" reassure listeners that they don't have to face life's challenges alone. The song's opening lines paint a picture of darkness and isolation, but the singer declares that he won't be afraid as long as his loved one stands by him. The chorus repeats this sentiment, with the singer describing his partner's support as a comforting presence through any trial. In the second verse, the singer takes this idea to an extreme, imagining catastrophic events like the sky falling and mountains crumbling. Even in these scenarios, he insists he won't cry as long as his loved one is standing by him.
Throughout the song, the singer addresses his "darlin'" directly, imploring them to stand by him and help him through tough times. He describes himself as needing just a little bit of love and a helping hand. The repeated "come on" and "my my my my my baby" suggest a plea for reassurance and companionship. Overall, "Stand By Me" is a reminder that no matter what challenges and hardships we face, we don't have to face them alone if we have someone we can count on.
Line by Line Meaning
When the night has come and the land is dark
When everything seems frightening and uncertain
And the moon is the only, only light we see
There is barely any hope or positivity left
No I won't be afraid, no no no no no no I won't be afraid
I will not let fear overpower me
Just as long, just as long, just as long as you stand by me
Because you are here to support me
My darlin', darlin'
The one person who means the most to me
Whenever I'm in trouble darling won't you stand
I need you to be there for me during my difficult times
I need just a little helping hand
A small gesture of support or love would mean everything to me
If the sky we look upon should tumble and fall
Even if everything we thought was stable or secured crumbles away
All the mountains may crumble, may crumble to the sea
The things that we thought were immovable and enduring may actually vanish
I won't cry, I won't cry and no no no no I won't shed no tears
I will remain strong and brave in the face of loss and disappointment
My, my, my, my, my baby, oh oh
A term of endearment for someone who is loved unconditionally
Come on and help me baby
Please, I need your assistance
I need a little love, come on and stand right by me
All I need is your presence and affection to feel comforted
Whenever I'm in trouble won't you stand
I will always turn to you during my times of distress
My, my, my, my, my baby, come on
You are the most important person in my life and I need you here with me
I need a little bit of loving
I am in need of affection and support from someone I love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ben King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cecelia Nelson
Danny there is nothing more amazing, than using your gift with all of your to the Lord, and letting us all know the Lord on a deeper level. He is so worthy of all our praise and worship! You have a great gift.
Rachel Potter
Danny, my brother in Christ, hasn't God taken you so far since this day? Through tough times to happy times, He's Always with us to give comfort and Love. Keep on putting God 1st in your life and I believe He will you the Desires of your heart. Praise the Lord.
Matthew Lepak
God bless you! Jesus bless! You are a truly good inspiration!
Harvey Harveyness
love me some danny gokey-singing for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
maria lc
i keep thinking how when i was young, just starting out in life. And i had my dreams, and my own visions. Looking back now, i see how i lived life my way..i did what i wanted to do. However, now it's the "season" for God. He will carry you wherever you go! I get so excited to see such a young man with such zeal for wanting to please the Lord. Your family truly is blessed. "How can they not see, how will they know"...Praise God!
Luv
GOD had HIS way with this kiddo!! C’mon JESUS!!!
Rosie Vivas
God sent you to minister through to me your my hero. Rosie V
Kay Spitzner
I remember simon didn't ever compliment danny!?!!!????
Joanne Jaworski
I remember thinking the same back when about Simon had lame criticism of Danny's amazing talent. Simon FINALLY grew up and softened, and got a grip after having his son!
Kay Brown Gismondi
Voice is great but this version wrecks the beauty of the song