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.
You'll Never Walk Alone
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk
You'll never walk
You'll never walk alone.
David Phelps's song "You'll Never Walk Alone" is an uplifting and inspirational song. The song talks about walking through difficult times and overcoming hardship. The lyrics suggest that during trying times, one should hold their head up high, even in the presence of darkness, and walk through the storm with hope and perseverance. The song metaphorically compares life's struggles to a storm and suggests that at the end of the storm, one can experience a beautiful golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark.
The lyrics of the song encourage people to walk through the wind and rain despite the obstacles they may face. Even if their dreams are tossed and blown away, they must keep going with hope in their heart. The song suggests that one is never alone, as there are always people around who care and are willing to help. The song concludes with the reassurance that one will never walk alone, indicating that no matter how hard things may seem, someone has your back and will always be there to support you.
In conclusion, David Phelps's song "You'll Never Walk Alone" serves as a reminder that it is essential to stay positive and hopeful during trying times. The song's lyrics encourage people to be resilient, persistent, and hopeful while walking through the storm.
Line by Line Meaning
When you walk through a storm
When you're facing a challenging time in life
Hold your head up high
Keep your spirits up and stay positive
And don't be afraid of the dark
Don't let fear control you or hold you back
At the end of the storm
After you've overcome the difficult situation
Is a golden sky
You'll see the beauty in life again
And the sweet silver song of the lark
You'll find joy and hope again
Walk on through the wind
Keep moving forward even when things are tough
Walk on through the rain
Push through the challenges and keep going
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Even if your goals and aspirations get disrupted
Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
Keep hope alive and stay optimistic for the future
And you'll never walk alone
You'll have support and encouragement along the way
You'll never walk
You won't be on this journey by yourself
You'll never walk alone.
You'll always have people by your side, cheering you on
Writer(s): Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein Ii
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pravinyabuzz6035
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
@tracywhited
Y’all just brought me back to Jesus. No joking. Thank you David and thank you all.
@robinwetzel3314
This is a beautiful song. Right now it feels like I gave just walked through the storm, for seven years. I was never alone
@ChildofGodjmh
Hang in there Tracy, praying for you!
@baileygirl1955
So many people wish they could sing like he does. He has talent that , to me, only God can give to someone special. I tried but not much good. Blessing and talent only come to who God has chosen. The others have other talents to give. David ...you could be told how much peace you give people with your songs of God...but you are one of the ones God chose to do it. God bless you. Thank you.
@kanaiyamutua3809
I am a Christian and Liverpool FC fan. And I just discovered David Phelps today. Literally, I am besides myself with all the amazing that is happening right now! God in glory placing His amazing divine nature all over the place! Beautiful!
@buckeyebaptist43719
I am also a Christian and a Liverpool FC fan.
@margaretboyd1887
Kanaiya Mutua
@benedictmanurung
I am also a Christian and Liverpool FC fan. Praise be to God for wonderful song and wonderful worship! YNWA!
@PaulGilmer7
Hey brothers.. Am a Christian n a lfc die hard fan.. Great to see a few others jus like me..
@williambrown7786
the man is a legend.