The band was formed by Marc Martel and Jason Germain who were roommates at Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Saskatchewan. Martel and Germain added fellow Canadians Jeremy Thiessen and Tyson Manning, along with American Corey Doak in 1999, and released an eponymous debut album independently on Slyngshot Records. Tyson and Doak left the band, and later on Downhere signed with Word Records. In February 2001, they moved to Nashville, Tennessee. The band soon added bassist Glenn Lavender, whom they had met two years earlier, after his band broke up. Downhere's independent album was reissued with the inclusion of bassist Lavender, and released in 2001 as their international debut, downhere.
Their second album, also released through Word Records was entitled So Much For Substitutes. In 2006 they were signed to Centricity Records and released Wide-Eyed and Mystified which led to the 2007 Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year, and Covenant Awards for Rock Album of the Year and Recorded Song of the Year ("A Better Way").
In 2007, the band released two additional CDs that were unique. In early 2007, they released Wide-Eyed and Simplified, which contained new versions of 8 songs from Wide-Eyed and Mystified, in addition to three popular songs from earlier releases. Later in 2007, the band released Thunder After Lightning (The Uncut Demos). This album contained 15 previously unreleased demos which were considered for use on Wide-Eyed and Mystified but were not used. The CD also contained demo versions of two songs which were used on Wide-Eyed and Mystified. In April 2007, Downhere released Thank You for Coming (The Live Bootlegs), a six-song collection of live songs recorded in 2007 while on tour with Jason Gray & Lanae Hale.
Their next album, Ending Is Beginning, was released on September 23, 2008. The band released the songs for a few days and gave fans the chance to give input on which songs they should put on the album, and as a pre-release to Ending Is Beginning in June 2008 they gave away the whole album Wide-Eyed and Mystified as a free download.
In October 2009, they released How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas, a collection of Christmas songs. This included "How Many Kings", which was a bonus track on Ending Is Beginning. Between the release of Ending Is Beginning and On the Altar of Love, Downhere released Two at a Time: Sneak Peeks & B-Sides, a collection of older songs compiled over their career, as well as two new songs: "You're Not Alone" and "The Song You Sing". "You're Not Alone" was released as a single in May 2010.
In May 2011, the first single,"Let Me Rediscover You", from their upcoming album On the Altar of Love was released. The album itself was released August 23, 2011.
Turn This Around
Downhere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried every solution, still feels impossible
It's a cycle and I'm stuck playing a part
Can't fix the trail I've left behind or mend a broken heart
If there's hope for the helpless
Would You answer me?
Only You can turn this around
I'm at the end and falling fast
A moment to redeem
Only You can turn this…
Only You can turn this…
Only You can turn this around
It's not a case of "Doctor, heal thyself!"
So insidious the symptoms; no one can even tell
But I feel the toxins in my veins
And deeper routed through my heart
I don't want to stay the same
If there's healing for the broken
Save me from me
I'm asking for a miracle, because I believe
Only You can turn this around
I'm at the end and falling fast
A moment to redeem
Only You can turn this…
Only You can turn this…
Only You can turn this around
I'm calling on the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief
Can You make a change in me?
The lyrics of Downhere’s song Turn This Around express a sense of helplessness and desperation in the face of overwhelming problems. The singer acknowledges that the situation is out of their control, and all possible solutions have been exhausted. They feel trapped in a never-ending cycle and burdened by the consequences of their past actions. However, the singer still holds out hope for a miracle to save them from this predicament. They turn to God, asking for his help and intervention, acknowledging that only he has the power to turn things around.
The lyrics suggest a struggle with internal issues and the desire for personal transformation. The singer expresses a belief that change is possible with divine assistance, and that the healing of brokenness is within reach. The song uses powerful imagery of physical affliction and emotional pain to convey the depth of the singer’s distress. The final lines call on Jesus, the “Man of Sorrows,” to bring about a transformation within the singer.
In summary, the lyrics of Turn This Around speak to the universal human struggle to overcome difficulty and pain, and the hope that a higher power can provide a way out of seemingly impossible situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Clearly, this is out of my control
I am aware that I cannot fix this issue alone and it is beyond my control.
Tried every solution, still feels impossible
Even after many attempts, the issue feels impossible to solve.
It's a cycle and I'm stuck playing a part
The situation is a repeating cycle, and I am stuck in my role without the ability to break free.
Can't fix the trail I've left behind or mend a broken heart
I cannot undo the harm I've caused in the past or fix the hurt that has been inflicted on others.
If there's hope for the helpless
I am seeking hope and assistance in my current state of helplessness.
Would You answer me?
I am asking if God will hear my plea for help.
I'm asking for a miracle, because I believe
I believe that only a miracle can fix the issue and I am asking for it.
Only You can turn this around
God has the power to turn the situation around.
I'm at the end and falling fast
I am nearing the end of my rope and my situation is getting worse quickly.
A moment to redeem
I am hoping for a chance to make things right and redeem myself.
It's not a case of "Doctor, heal thyself!"
I cannot fix myself, even though it may seem like an easy solution.
So insidious the symptoms; no one can even tell
The issue is hidden and not immediately noticeable to others.
But I feel the toxins in my veins
I know that something within me is toxic and causing harm.
And deeper routed through my heart
The harm within me is deeply rooted in my heart and emotions.
I don't want to stay the same
I desire change and growth in myself and my situation.
If there's healing for the broken
I am seeking healing for the hurt and broken parts within me.
Save me from me
I need to be saved from my own harmful thoughts and actions.
I'm calling on the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief
I am seeking help from Jesus, who understands pain and suffering.
Can You make a change in me?
I am asking Jesus to change me from the inside out.
Contributed by Adam S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Susan Chitty
Best band ever! Their music got me through the death of my husband and life afterwards. I still listen to them on a regular basis. Food for my soul.
odditblue1
Amazing... After meeting you, even more amazing. Keep it up. We'll be watching. and praying for you and yours.
thatisso80s
absolutely incredible song.
meRLB1996
Very rarely do you find a song that so completely expresses how you feel. I've found one today.
YHWHisYeshua
Adding this one to my top 2012 songs of all time!
charleskaday sawadogo
This song depicts my life. I am asking Jesus to turn this around. None else but Him. I've tried by myself, but I have failed and I amtired now. Just hanging on to Him
Pasar a la Otra Orilla
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Mat: 11:28-30 :)
Cheryl bois
I'm in a turn this around time one thing after another