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.
Heart of Hearts
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can’t fool myself
And though temptation tells me to doubt You
I’d never be that cruel to myself
Lord, I need You to see me through
'Cause when all is said and done
What it really all comes down to
In my heart of hearts You’ll always be there
Always be there
In my heart of hearts You’re my everything
My everywhere
I walk the grass that I think is greener
But the color fades to gray
Could an illusion be any meaner
Than the one that test Your faith
Lord, I need You to see me through
'Cause when every truth is told
There’s a light that shines out from You
When the eyes of the night turn cold
In my heart of hearts You’ll always be there
Always be there
In my heart of hearts You’re my everything
My everywhere
Oh, I don’t wanna be the one
Who looks back with regret, no no
I just want to be the one in faithful prayer
When love is waiting there
Lord, I need You to see me through
'Cause when all is said and done
What it really all comes down to
Is that You’re the only one
In my heart of hearts You’ll always be there
In my heart of hearts, my everything
My everywhere
In my heart of hearts You’ll always, always, always be there
In my heart of hearts, my everything
My everywhere
In my heart of hearts
"Heart of Hearts" by David Phelps is a Christian contemporary song that expresses the artist's realization of his dependency on God. In the opening line, Phelps confesses that he had thought he could live without God, but eventually realized that he cannot fool himself. The use of the metaphor, "grass is greener," symbolizes the temptation and desire to pursue what appears to be better in life, but ultimately fades to gray, leaving him unfulfilled. The line, "Could an illusion be any meaner than the one that test Your faith," suggests that the illusion of a better life outside of God's will tests one's faith, ultimately leading to emptiness.
Phelps acknowledges his need for God to guide him through, and that God is the only one he can depend on ultimately. The chorus, "In my heart of hearts You’ll always be there, my everything My everywhere," emphasizes Phelps' understanding that God is ever-present and all-encompassing in his life. In the second verse, Phelps continues to express the challenges of pursuing his own desires and the emptiness that comes with it. However, he finds hope and assurance that God's light shines through in the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to think I could live without You
At one point in time, I believed I could function and survive on my own without You in my life.
But I can’t fool myself
However, I have come to realize that deceiving myself about my reliance on You is not possible.
And though temptation tells me to doubt You
Even though I am sometimes tempted to question Your existence and purpose,
I’d never be that cruel to myself
I would never be cruel enough to myself to purposely doubt the one thing that gives me hope and strength.
Lord, I need You to see me through
I require Your guidance and support to navigate the trials and hardships of life.
'Cause when all is said and done
After everything is settled and resolved,
What it really all comes down to
When everything is taken into consideration,
Is that You’re the only one
You are the only one who truly matters, and You hold the key to my heart and soul.
In my heart of hearts You’ll always be there
Deep within the recesses of my heart, I know that You will always be present, no matter what happens in life.
Always be there
You will be my constant companion, offering me reassurance and peace when I need it most.
In my heart of hearts You’re my everything
You are the embodiment of all that I hold dear and meaningful in this world.
My everywhere
You are present in every aspect of my life, guiding and uplifting me each step of the way.
I walk the grass that I think is greener
At times, I am drawn to the allure of the unknown, hoping to find something better and more fulfilling.
But the color fades to gray
However, these things often prove to be disappointing and dull, lacking the vibrancy and beauty that I seek.
Could an illusion be any meaner
This realization can be frustrating and even hurtful, as I feel deceived by the false promise of something better.
Than the one that test Your faith
This struggle and temptation can also test the strength and endurance of my faith in You.
When every truth is told
Once all is said and done, and the truth of life has been revealed,
There’s a light that shines out from You
I know that Your presence will always bring light and hope, illuminating the darkest times of my life.
When the eyes of the night turn cold
Even in the coldest, most desolate moments of life, I can trust that Your warmth and love will still shine through.
Oh, I don’t wanna be the one
I do not want to become the person who,
Who looks back with regret, no no
Later in life, looks back with dissatisfaction and sorrow for failing to recognize and cherish the blessings You offered.
I just want to be the one in faithful prayer
Rather, I aspire to be the person who consistently communicates with You and maintains a steadfast faith in You through prayer.
When love is waiting there
I know that Your love and guidance will always be available to me when I seek it.
In my heart of hearts You’ll always be there
Ultimately, deep within my heart, I know that You will always be present with me, guiding and loving me every step of the way.
In my heart of hearts, my everything
You are so significant and meaningful to me, that You are truly everything I need.
My everywhere
You exist in every aspect of my life, always present and willing to offer guidance and love.
In my heart of hearts You’ll always, always, always be there
In the most profound and deepest part of my heart, I know that Your love and guidance will always be present and available to me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Arnold Michel Roman, Miklos Malek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind