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 passionβmusic.
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 wellβ'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 daughtersβeight-year-old Callie and six-year-old Maggie Bethβboth 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 wantβHe's the One they said ruled the world/Though He only wore a crown of thorns, and He never owned a thingβ¦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.
I'm Free
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Enslaved by the world and my greed
Then the door of my prison was opened by love
For the ransom was paid
I was free
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow
I'm free from the guilt of my past ooh!
I'm free
Praise the Lord, free at last!
I am free from the guilt that I carried
From the dull empty life, I'm set free
For when I met Jesus he made me complete,
He forgot the foolish child I used to be
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow,
I'm free from the guilt of my past oh
Oh, I traded my shackles for a glorious song
I'm free!
Praise the Lord, free at last!
Oh!
I've traded my shackles for a glorious song!
I'm free, Praise the Lord free at last!
The lyrics to David Phelps's song 'I'm Free' are about finding freedom through love and redemption. The singer begins by reflecting on the emptiness and slavery of his previous existence - a life in which he was driven by greed and worldly desires. However, through the love of another, he discovers a way out of his prison. The "ransom" that is paid for him is likely a reference to the price Christ paid for humanity's sins on the cross. This liberates the singer, who is suddenly free from the "fear of tomorrow" and the "guilt of his past." By letting go of his old ways and surrendering to love, the singer is now able to live joyfully and fully. He rejoices in his newfound freedom with a "glorious song."
Overall, 'I'm Free' is a song about redemption and the transformative power of love. The singer's life was once characterized by slavery and emptiness, but by embracing love, he has found a way out of his "prison" and into a life of freedom and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
So long, I searched for life's meaning
For a lengthy period, I looked for purpose in life
Enslaved by the world and my greed
I was captive to the world's ways and my own selfish desires
Then the door of my prison was opened by love
Love unlocked the door to my confinement
For the ransom was paid
Someone paid the price to secure my freedom
I was free
I gained liberty
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow
I no longer have anxiety about the future
I'm free from the guilt of my past ooh!
I am without remorse for my previous actions
I've traded my shackles for a glorious song
I exchanged my chains for an uplifting melody
Praise the Lord, free at last!
Thanks be to God, I am finally released!
I am free from the guilt that I carried
I am exempt from the burden of my wrongdoing
From the dull empty life, I'm set free
I am delivered from a monotonous, unfulfilling existence
For when I met Jesus he made me complete,
Upon encountering Jesus, I became whole
He forgot the foolish child I used to be
God has forgiven and forgotten my foolishness
Oh! I've traded my shackles for a glorious song!
How amazing it is that I exchanged my bondage for a beautiful melody!
I'm free, Praise the Lord free at last!
I am truly unencumbered now, and I thank God for it!
Lyrics Β© CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: GLORIA GAITHER, WILLAM J. GAITHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@negra9818
I'm Free! Praise the Lord! Free at last! Amen and Amen... !!
So long I had searched for life's meaning,
Enslaved by the world and my greed;
Then the door of my prison was opened by love,
For the ransom was paid - I was free.
Refrain
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow,
I'm free from the guilt of my past;
I've traded my shackles for a glorious song,
I'm Free! Praise the Lord! Free at last!
I'm free from the guilt that I carried,
From that dull empty life I'm set free;
For when I met Jesus, He made me complete,
He forgot how foolish child I used to be.
Refrain
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow,
I'm free from the guilt of my past;
I've traded my shackles for a glorious song,
I'm Free! Praise the Lord! Free at last!
@GospelMusicMix01
I was paralyzed in bed last year and I heard Jesus say out loud to me - If you believe in me get up and walkπππ I got up and not only walked but went for a walk outside. Praise God!!!!! GOD IS ALWAYS WORKING!!!! βπππππππ
@josephinesobers7422
To God be the glory.
@yourskinyourhealth9338
Amen and Amen ππΏ
@servinawright1961
Please song to danna simms
@alfredlibasia7974
AMEN JESUS CHRIST MIGHTY LORD heal and blesses.
@andrathomas9728
Glory to god ππ
@woodspaxton6907
I was a drug addict, homeless on the streets... God is good he always makes a way.. now I've been clean for 2 years, and not turning back.
@mickham
Remember Lots Wife, donβt look back. Look towards the Son, praise God.
@kristofermann6685
No sir there's nothing to turn back to.
@andrewviljoen9057
Greetings in the name of God almighty. I'm from cape Town south Africa. 2 week ago the lord took my beloved brother in law Simon to be with him. The Saturday me and my wife went to his bedside and prayed and intervened on his behalf. The Thursday evening me and my brother went to hospital. We had the privilege to lead him to christ. Amen
The Saturday afternoon me and my wife sat beside him. This song appeared on her phone without searching for it. As song played Simon prepared his homegoing. As the song played Simon's breath became weaker and weaker. The song was still playing when he blew out his breath..please pray for our family. We are sad and heartbroken...we know that Simon is free yes free at last.
Amen and amen. God bless.