Darwin Hobbs is especially popular for his spirit moving song 'He's able' which has taken the breath of Nigerians away. The song indeed has been an inspiration for many, many, many gospel singers.
- Sheffieldhottie
His debut solo project (Mercy) was characterized by an anointing pieced together in soulful song with the help of producers Fred Hammond and Victor and Cedric Caldwell (see review).
Darwin Hobbs turns around swiftly on Vertical, his sophomore project with EMI Gospel, by combining both some of the same, and some fresh twists too.
Production mainstays Victor and Cedric Caldwell return to the fold, and join forces with Tommy Sims, whose Positive Movement production house has blown notorious in recent years. A fascinating choice of guest artists also marks this effort.
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Crucial to the album is the groovified "Cast All Your Cares", which harnesses the writing hooks of Angie Winans and the brothers Caldwell, is powered by the guitar finesse of Paul Jackson Jr., and features a strong chorus supporting Hobb's soulful delivery on lead.
The familiar voice of Donna Summer graces "When I Look Up". It's a softly soaring AC ballad about the liberty that Jesus brings, with Hobbs intertwining his pipes with Summer's exquisite phrasing over subtle bird twittering effects and a soft rhythm track. Written by the Caldwells with up-and-comer Hallerin Hill, it's a quiet full force gale, complete with backing vocals from Angie Winans.
Continuing on the guest artist theme, former Doobie Brother turned solo artist Michael McDonald joins his husky soul with Hobbs' rich tones on the head-bob track, Everyday. Fueled by musical elements of the Gap Band's "Outstanding", the Tommy Sims composition is an urban delight. Check these lines:
Surely the mercy of your love is in this place
I know that every day, come rain or shine
That it's mine all mine.
—from "Everyday"
On "So Amazing", Hobbs turns the tables on those who can't refrain from constantly comparing his vocal vibe to that of Luther Vandross. With his Gospel cover of this Vandross hit, Hobbs boldly tackles this comparison issue head on. No doubt he could easily be mistaken for the crooner, but with Hobbs' spirit of sensitivity infused throughout, there's no comparison on the deeper level. Virtue softly provides sweet backing vocals.
Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald contributed vocals to a couple of The Winans' projects (Decision and Back 2 Back) back when.
He's primarily known for his work with The Dobbie Brothers and Steely Dan, plus his own solo work.
Other hits have come in collaborations with James Ingram, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and Donna Summer (who also appears with Darwin Hobbs on this Vertical project).
Hobbs has stated that on this project, "every song was written strategically to represent some aspect of our relationship to God and His relationship to us" —hence the title Vertical, indicating that relationship.
So it's no surprise then, that the jewel in this CD jewel case is the medley of praise and worship ("Praise Medley"). It's on this soft, 8-minute, vocals-focused cut that Hobbs truly astounds with his range and selection of expression. The fact that he doesn't need vocal dramatics to do this speaks volumes to his gift. Holy praise tunes included are "El Shaddai", "You Are Holy", "You Are My Hiding Place" and "Great Is Your Mercy".
Set your alarm clock now, because you certainly don't want to sleep on this project. There's so much to love on this disk that you may not be able to handle it in one listen.
I'm still reeling.
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Hold On
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do lock yourself up in these chains?
No one can change your life except for you
Don't ever let anyone step all over you
Just open your heart and your mind
Is it really fair to feel this way inside?
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day
Things'll go your way
Hold on for one more day
You could sustain
Or are you comfortable with the pain?
You've got no one to blame for your unhappiness
You got yourself into your own mess
Lettin' your worries pass you by
Don't you think it's worth your time
To change your mind?
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day
Things'll go your way
Hold on for one more day
I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and
Break free the chains
Yeah I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and you
Break free, break from the chains
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day yeah
If you hold on
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day,
If you hold on
Can you hold on
Hold on baby
Won't you tell me now
Hold on for one more day 'Cause
It's gonna go your way
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can't you change it this time
Make up your mind
Hold on
Hold on
Baby hold on
The song "Hold On" by Darwin Hobbs is about perseverance and finding inner strength to overcome one's struggles. The first verse addresses the singer's understanding of the listener's pain and their self-imposed chains. The singer emphasizes that no one can change their life but them and that they should not let anyone treat them poorly. The singer is urging the listener to open their heart and mind and confront their troubles. The chorus is an inspiring message, encouraging the listener to hold on for one more day because things can change, and they will go their way if they do.
The second verse mentions the listener's comfortable way of dealing with pain and that they have no one to blame but themselves for their unhappiness. The singer is urging the listener to face their worries and take control of their life. The chorus repeats the same message of perseverance and the idea that things can change if one just holds on for one more day.
The bridge of the song is a reiteration of the chorus and a reminder to the listener to break free from their chains and hold on for one more day. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and a declaration that things will go the listener's way if they hold on.
Overall, the song is a stirring reminder to persevere in the face of trouble and not give up on oneself. It encourages the listener to confront their problems and hold on for one more day, with the hope that things will get better.
Line by Line Meaning
I know there's pain
I understand that you are suffering
Why do you lock yourself up in these chains?
Why are you limiting yourself with your fears and worries?
No one can change your life except for you
You have the power within yourself to make changes in your life
Don't ever let anyone step all over you
Don't allow others to treat you disrespectfully or take advantage of you
Just open your heart and your mind
Be receptive to change and new opportunities
Is it really fair to feel this way inside?
Is it justifiable to hold on to the pain and discomfort that you're feeling?
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
There will come a time when someone will inspire you
Turn around and say goodbye
You will be able to let go of the negativity in your life
Until then baby are you going to let them
In the meantime, are you going to allow others to control you?
Hold you down and make you cry
Suppress your growth and cause you pain?
Don't you know?
A rhetorical question to emphasize the following message
Don't you know things can change
You have the power in yourself to create change
Things'll go your way
Things will work out in your favor
If you hold on for one more day
If you persevere, things will get better
Can you hold on for one more day
Do you have the resilience to keep going?
You could sustain
You could continue to endure the pain
Or are you comfortable with the pain?
Or are you choosing to stay in your comfort zone?
You've got no one to blame for your unhappiness
You are responsible for your own happiness and well-being
You got yourself into your own mess
You are accountable for the decisions that led to your current situation
Lettin' your worries pass you by
Ignoring the issues that are causing you pain
Don't you think it's worth your time to change your mind?
Isn't it worth considering a different perspective and approach?
I know that there is pain
I acknowledge that you are in pain
But you hold on for one more day and break free the chains
But if you persevere, you can overcome the constraints that are holding you back
Can't you change it this time, make up your mind
Can't you choose a different outcome by making a decision to change?
Hold on baby
Keep pushing through
Won't you tell me now
Can you communicate your thoughts and feelings honestly?
It's gonna go your way
Things will work out in your favor
Baby hold on
Keep fighting and don't give up
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: CHRIS RODRIGUEZ, DARWIN HOBBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
zhanae
on Heal the Land
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)
Oh!
Let's talk about the problems
Please tell me how we solve them
There has to be a brighter day.
Ohhhh!
On your mark, get set, let's go now
Lights, Camera, Action showed now
Seems like this is what we've become
What do we do, Ohhhhh
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land
Oh!)
We've got to find our way back
To the idea that we first had
Somehow we've gone and lost our way
Ohhhh
Wake up and smell the brew now
Make this our finest hour
All faces turn into the ground
This is the answer!
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)
Why? Oh Why?
is the question, tell me.
Who will stand?
Wanna know how did we end up here?
Or when will it end?
Lord, tell me where do we go from hereee?
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)
Oh OH Oh OH Oh OHhhh (8x)
HEAL THE LAND!
Pray, seek my face!
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)
Paula Carr
on My Promise To You
Why don't they have lyrics to this song