The original members of First Call were Melodie (or Mel) Tunney, Marty McCa… Read Full Bio ↴The original members of First Call were Melodie (or Mel) Tunney, Marty McCall, and Bonnie Keen. In the 1970's, Marty was the front man for a band called Fireworks. Bonnie had been trained in musical theatre. They met as studio singers in Nashville. Their jobs individually were to sing backup for other singers and to record jingles for commercials. The three struck up a friendship, and also saw the benefit in marketing themselves as a ready-made trio for back-up vocals and other studio recordings. They were considered the "first call" by music producers -- first choice for studio work. But the term also fit with their belief in making God first in their lives.

Just Can't Help Myself
First Call Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In a time not so long ago
I heard You calling my name
I had run and You had let me go
'Cause I was finding my place

But now I know what my heart needs
And I won't leave the One who set me free

I, I just can't help myself
No matter how I try
From loving You
And since I
I just can't help myself
No matter how I try
I'm never, never, ever
Gonna live without You

Light of love in a dark, dark world
Sent to rescue my soul
You alone gave me everything
The day that You let me go

Now I know what my heart needs
And I won't leave the One who sets me free
Now I know what love really means
I love You 'cause You loved me

I, I just can't help myself
No matter how I try
From loving You
And since I
I just can't help myself
No matter how I try
I'm never, never, ever
Gonna live without You

Now I know what love really means
I love You 'cause You loved me

I, I just can't help myself
No matter how I try
From loving You
And since I
I just can't help myself
No matter how I try
I'm never, never, ever
Gonna live without You

I just can't, I just can't
I just can't help myself

No matter how I try
From loving You, loving You...

Overall Meaning

The First Call's 'Just Can't Help Myself' is a song that revolves around a Christian perspective of love and redemption. The lyrics seem to describe an encounter in which the singer struggled with letting go of their freedom and submitting themselves to God; however, they finally realize the value of their spiritual journey and the presence of a savior in their life. The line "I had run, and You had let me go, 'cause I was finding my place" conveys the message that God lets us go and wander off but is still there to save us when we need it. The singer is now aware of what their heart needs and pledges never to leave the One who set them free.

The main chorus of the song, "I just can't help myself, no matter how I try from loving you," is a reflection of the singer's love towards their savior, which is a central theme within the Christian faith. They even go on to say that they will never live without God. The singer has found enlightenment and a purpose in their life, which is to love, cherish, and follow God. The song is a message for those struggling to find a direction, and that through faith and belief, they can overcome any obstacle.

Line by Line Meaning

In a time not so long ago
Not too far in the past

I heard You calling my name
I heard God's voice calling me

I had run and You had let me go
I had avoided God and He allowed me to

'Cause I was finding my place
I was trying to find my way in life

But now I know what my heart needs
I've discovered what I truly desire in my heart

And I won't leave the One who set me free
I won't abandon the God who freed me

I, I just can't help myself
I cannot resist

No matter how I try
I cannot even attempt to fight it

From loving You
From loving God

And since I
And because of this

I'm never, never, ever
I will never