Pop vocalist and songwriter David Phelps has been given such a talent. Credited by many as having one of today's most spectacular voices, David has seen countless thousands rise to their feet for his inspiring, powerhouse performances. His audiences have included George W. Bush, massive crowds at Billy Graham Crusades, and millions of "ABC News" viewers, and his voice has brought him multiple Grammy and Dove awards. And with the release of his new solo debut for Word Records, Revelation, Phelps is poised to reach an even greater audience of fans around the globe. Yet amid all the acclaim, David has a special person in his life who reminds him to always honor the One who gave that talent to him.
His wife of eleven years, Lori, helps David balance his dual roles as acclaimed vocalist and down-to-earth husband and father of three (soon to be four). "Most of us don't get the chance to have even one standing ovation or round of applause in our lives, so working on a stage of any kind can give you a really unrealistic view of life if you're not careful," David reveals. "In her own loving way, Lori won't let me live in that place of applause, and I'm very thankful for that."
Though not a musician herself, Lori has walked with David all along the long, challenging road as he has pursued his calling to music. Hailing originally from the Houston area, the couple met at Texas' Baylor University over a decade ago, where Phelps earned a degree in line with his passion—music.
Recognized from an early age for his unusual talent, David knew from the beginning that he wanted to perform music for the glory of God. Not everyone understood his commitment to faith, however. "I had several teachers who felt that I should be singing opera, or performing somewhere on Broadway," he recalls. "In college particularly, I had a teacher who kept pushing me strongly toward classical music, but when she finally accepted that Christian music was what God was calling me to do, that became the turning point for me."
From there, as a teenager, David went on become the winner of the 1988 Seminar In the Rockies held in Estes Park, Colorado, the youngest winner of the contest at that time. He then continued his career after graduation with a stint as Artist In Residence for First Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas. Though for a time it appeared that family commitments might prevent David from realizing his dream, he and Lori packed their bags for Nashville, Tennessee, in 1996 with the hope of landing a record deal for David.
Once again, however, he faced a challenge. After six heartbreaking months, David had not found an opportunity, and since he had given up his job back in Texas, the young couple was running out of funds. While visiting his family one weekend back in Texas, David told them, "We really feel like God was calling us to Nashville, but it's just not happening." Instantly, his family gathered around David and Lori and began to pray for a miracle.
A miracle is what God had in mind. The very next day, back in Nashville, David met with executives from Word Records and found out about an opportunity with best-selling vocal foursome Gaither Vocal Band. Two weeks later, he officially joined the group that has brought him four Dove Awards, two Grammy Awards, and over 13 gold and 15 platinum-selling projects.
Throughout the phenomenal success he has experienced with Gaither Vocal Band, David has cherished the dream of releasing a solo album expressing his own style and songcrafting. With the release of Revelation, David has finally fully realized the calling he first felt so many years before.
Featuring songs primarily written or co-written by Phelps, Revelation is a showcase for the impressive vocal and musical training that have shaped Phelps as a performer, swirled into a beautiful sonic blend that reflects the best of 21st century pop. From dramatic ballads to R&B-influenced groove and rock-tinged, energetic pop, Revelation reveals the musical passion and substantive message behind this exceptional singer/songwriter.
"The foundation of this album lies in knowing who Christ really is," explains David. "There's a line at the beginning of the song 'Break Free' that sums it up well—'Forget what you've heard about Jesus, if it doesn't begin and end with love.'
"As a culture, both churched and unchurched, we carry around so many ideas of who Jesus is that are not true," David continues. "We relate Christ to the idea of being judged or compared against an impossible standard. I want people to hear about a God who isn't standing there with His finger in their faces, but is simply there with His arms open wide saying, 'I just want to know you. Come to me, and I'll help you through this journey.'"
Every song on Revelation reveals God's mercy and compassion for His people. "Just As I Am," penned by David and award-winning songwriter Cindy Morgan, expresses Christ's loving acceptance of the broken, while "Arms Open Wide," a cut written by Rita Baloche [wife of Paul Baloche ("Above All," "Open the Eyes of My Heart")], praises the Savior for coming to redeem us. From the story of God's loving care as He shapes our lives and the universe in "Virtuoso" to the promise that "God Will Take Care Of You" and the tender ballad "Love Goes On," Revelation paints a portrait of who God really is, all superbly communicated through the expressive artistry of one of Christian music's finest vocalists.
Producers Regie Hamm (Bob Carlisle, Jaci Velasquez, Clay Crosse) and Chris Harris (Avalon, Anointed, Allen Asbury) had the task of guiding David's musical vision and wide tastes into the cohesive and compelling Revelation. The album's title cut is a dramatic, rock opera-styled song that provides a centerpiece, both musically and vocally, for David's talent. "I'm thrilled about this song, because it's a piece that I've spent a lot of time and effort to write," David says of "Revelation." "It represents so much of what I love about music." The song, which tells the story of a man much like David on the morning of Christ's return, reveals David's imaginative story-telling ability, and combines a myriad of his favorite influences, from rock to classical to "Bohemian Rhapsody."
David is making sure that his kids have the same musical opportunities he had by taking them on the road with him and Lori to his concerts. Lori homeschools their two daughters—eight-year-old Callie and six-year-old Maggie Beth—both at home and on tour in order to let them and three-year-old Grant spend more time with Dad. The couple are preparing for the arrival of a fourth little one, due to arrive just in time for the release of Revelation.
For an artist who makes nearly 150 concert appearances every year, the decision to educate their kids themselves was the only right one for them. "I'm gone pretty much every weekend, so I would never get to see my children!" says David. "Homeschooling allows us to pick up and go when we need to, and as a result, our kids have been able to see some wonderful things around the country."
And though one of the things his kids often see are the thousands of people who flock to hear him sing, David is careful to remind them that the walk of Christian faith, even when it's lived out before a national audience, is one of humble obedience. In the regal ballad "Live Like a King," written by Bob Halligan, Jr. (Kathy Mattea, Michael Bolton, Rebecca St. James), David beautifully conveys the paradox that marked Christ's reign here on earth, and that he hopes will always prove to be the example for his own life:
My thirst for the things of this earth, isn't quenched by diamonds or pearls/One man lived the life I want—He's the One they said ruled the world/Though He only wore a crown of thorns, and He never owned a thing…I want to live like a King!
Those words also reveal the purpose behind the tremendous talent God has placed in David's own life. Despite being given such great ability and opportunity, David Phelps is a man who will forever invest that gift in honor of its Giver.
Bring Him Home
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here my pray
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He′s afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed
If god had granted me a son
The summer′s die one by one
How soon they fly on and on
Before i'm old before i'm gone
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take you can give
Let him be let him live
If i die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
David Phelps's song Bring Him Home is a plea addressed to God, expressing the fear and anxiety of a person regarding someone dear to them who is going through a difficult time. "God on high, hear my prayer" is the opening line of the song which implies that the singer is invoking the power of God, acknowledging his presence and omnipotence. The singer then goes on to express their concern and love for the person in question, who is described as young and afraid. The phrase "He is young, he's afraid, let him rest, heaven blessed, bring him home," suggests that the singer is praying that the person be brought to safety and comfort, and hoping that their pure and innocent nature would be protected by the divine powers.
The second verse of the song expresses the pain and longing of the singer for the person in question. The lines "He's like the son I might have known, if God had granted me a son" suggests a close familial bond or a deep emotional connection with the person. The singer then reflects on the fleeting nature of life, the inevitability of aging, and the passing of time. The poignant line "How soon they fly on and on, before I'm old, before I'm gone, bring him peace, bring him joy, he is young, he is only a boy" conveys the sense of urgency and desperation felt by the singer. They are imploring God to provide peace and happiness for the person in question, who is still at the beginning of their journey in life.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt and emotional plea for protection, safety, and love for someone dear to the singer. It represents a universal human experience of love and longing, and the power of faith and spirituality to provide comfort and hope in dark times.
Line by Line Meaning
God on high
Addressing God in reverence
Here my pray
Acknowledging the act of prayer
In my need
Expressing one's desperation
You have always been there
Recognizing God's presence as constant
He is young
Describing a young boy
He's afraid
Noting the boy's fear
Let him rest
Yearning for the boy to find peace and solace
Heaven blessed
Acknowledging the possibility of divine intervention
Bring him home
Asking for the boy to come back to safety
He's like the son I might have known
Showing how much the boy means to the singer
If God had granted me a son
Imagining an alternate life scenario
The summer's die one by one
Reflecting on how quickly time passes
How soon they fly on and on
Continuing to ruminate on the speed of life
Before I'm old before I'm gone
Expressing a sense of urgency
Bring him peace
Asking for the boy to find inner calm
Bring him joy
Wishing for the boy to experience joyfulness
He is young
Reiterating the boy's youth and innocence
He is only a boy
Emphasizing that he is just a child
You can take you can give
Accepting the unpredictable nature of life
Let him be let him live
Allowing the boy to be himself and find his way
If I die, let me die
Acknowledging mortality and sacrifice
Let him live
Stressing the importance of the boy's survival
Bring him home
Repeating the central plea of the song
Writer(s): Herbert Kretzmer, Alain Boublil, Claude Michel Schonberg, Kretzmer Herbert
Contributed by Colton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jay John
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
Matt Stetzer
David Phelps is THE VOICE. @1:01 he pinpoints this resonant sound that just ripped my heart in half. What other human being can do that with just their voice? The fact that he can truly speak pain, love, hope, faith, mercy, grace, kindness, fear and sorrow through just using his voice is so beyond impressive that it's entirely inhuman, and not something you can teach. Holy inspired and anointed by God himself, just terrifyingly good.
Paul Pence
Aq
Sharon Points
He sings with such clarity, passion and strength! He is beyond amazing! He is the very best! Thank You, GOD for David!!!
Jenny Semionov
David has the unique and talented tenor voice second to none! He is just so passionate about the songs being his rendition - making them his own! Absolutely amazing!
Hazel Carty
These beautiful songs thrill my soul. Oh praise God.
Jordan Rice
His control over his upper mix is so good it's almost scary.
Sam T.
Agreed. His voice is amazing.
Lisa Bitter
NO ONE sings this better than David. The End 🌹
Itz An Opinion
<cough> Jeff Leyton <cough>
Followed by Colm Wilkson, Alfie Boa, John Owen Jones...
Love David...Awesome/Phenomenal voice, but he's a Christian Singer doing Theater/Stage.
These singers bring the EMOTION of the song to life in such a way that David just doesn't deliver on!
On the flip side, look up Bring Him Home Jan Werner ~ Norwegian singer whose light was extinguished way too early!
Vocally...dude's got a VOCAL RANGE that's on par w/David's IMHO!....
tarjji
@Itz An Opinion David sang 'Bring Him Home' with John Owen Jones. On the climax, David got crushed by JOJ. I just checked out Jeff Leyton, not bad. He sang the last line "Bring him home" all in one breath. I still prefer Alfie over everyone. To each his own...