Lee Young was dismissed in 1982, and Jon Mohr was hired as the new bass singer. They then recorded the album, Passin' The Faith Along. Later, tenor Steve Green left and Larnelle Harris was hired. This group cut the New Point Of View album before Mohr left.
At this point the "New Gaither Vocal Band' dropped the "new" part of their name. Bill Gaither dropped to the lowest part (although they didn't call it Bass at the time), Gary McSpadden was moved down to baritone and Michael English was hired as lead singer. Although the previous album (New Point Of View) had been more contemporary than its predecessors, the album with this version of the group (One X 1) took it even further. After this album, Larnelle left and was replaced by Lemuel Miller. The group did not record an album with Lemuel before he left. He was replaced by Imperials alumnus, Jim Murray. They cut one album (Wings) before Gary McSpadden left to devote more time to his solo career. Mark Lowry was tapped to replace him. Although Lowry admittedly didn't have the natural ear for the baritone part, or the experience, he added a great voice along with his comedy and soon made their sound more smooth. First planned to perhaps be their final album, their gospel roots project Homecoming, in 1991, caused most Southern Gospel fans to welcome the Vocal Band with open arms. A follow-up recording called Southern Classics cemented their relationship with fans.
Jim Murray left and was replaced by Terry Franklin whose tenor voice was heard on the aforementioned, Southern Classics. Michael English left to pursue a popular solo career. He was replaced by Buddy Mullins. Terry Franklin soon left and was replaced by another Imperials alumnus, Jonathan Pierce. Strengthened by the popularity of the Homecoming video series, the Vocal Band added Guy Penrod at lead and after Pierce's departure, David Phelps was added at tenor. After Lowry’s departure, The Imperials alumnus Russ Taff sang baritone for a couple of years. When Taff returned to solo work, Marshall Hall was his replacement. Wes Hampton succeeded Phelps in 2005.
During the 1990s and into the first few years of the 21st century, the Gaither Vocal Band mastered the art of mixing classic Southern Gospel with Country and Inspirational styles. This gave the group a broad fan base that reached beyond the typical do.
In 2009 Marshall Hall and Guy Penrod left the group. Instead of just replacing them, Bill decided to make the group a five-man band -- bringing back some crowd favorites: Michael English, Mark Lowry, and David Phelps.
Complete List of Group Past Members:
* Bill Gaither, Baritone (1980-84); Bass (1984-present)
* Lee Young, Bass (1980-1982)
* Steve Green, Tenor (1980-1983)
* Gary McSpadden, Lead (1980-1984); Baritone (1984-88)
* Jon Mohr, Bass (1982-1984)
* Larnelle Harris, Tenor (1983-1987)
* Michael English, Lead (1985-1994, 2009-present)
* Lemuel Miller, Tenor (1987)
* Jim Murray, Tenor (1987-1992)
* Mark Lowry, Baritone (1988-2001, 2009-present)
* Terry Franklin, Tenor (1992-1994)
* Buddy Mullins, Lead (1994-1995)
* Jonathan Pierce, Tenor (1994-1997)
* Guy Penrod, Lead (1995-2009)
* David Phelps, Tenor (1997-2005, 2009-present)
* Russ Taff, Baritone (2001-2004)
* Marshall Hall, Baritone (2004-2009)
* Wes Hampton, Tenor (2005-present)
Discography
* The New Gaither Vocal Band (1981) - Benson
* ''Passin' The Faith Along (1983) - Benson
* New Point of View (1984) - Benson
* One X 1 (1986) - Word Nashville
* Wings (1988) - Star Song
* The Best from the Beginning (1989) - Benson
* A Few Good Men (1990) - Star Song
* Homecoming (1991) - Star Song
* Peace of the Rock (1993) - Star Song
* Southern Classics (1993) - Benson
* Testify (1994) King is Coming (1994) - Chapel
* ''Can't Stop Talkin' About Him (1995)
* Southern Classics: Volume II (1996) - Chapel
* Back Home in Indiana (1997) - Spring Hill
* ''Lovin' God & Lovin' Each Other (1997) - Spring Hill
* Still the Greatest Story Ever Told (1998) - Spring Hill
* God is Good (1999) - Spring Hill
* Classic Moments from the Gaither Vocal Band - Volume 1 (1999) - Benson
* Classic Moments from the Gaither Vocal Band - Volume 2 (1999) - Benson
* I Do Believe (2000) - Spring Hill
* Everything Good (2002) - Spring House
* A Cappella (2003) - Gaither Music Group
* Best of the Gaither Vocal Band (2004) - Gaither Music Group
* Give it Away (2006) - Gaither Music Group
*Together Signature Sound and Gaither Vocal Band (2007) - Gaither Music Group
*Lovin' Life (2008) - Gaither Music Group
*Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style (2008)
*Gaither Vocal Band Reunion - Volumes One & Two (January 2009)
Born Again
Gaither Vocal Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It doesn't take a rebel to sing along
This art is weak in its pretty, pretty frame
And I'm your monkey with a misspelled name
"I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away
I'll put down your disco
I'll be born again
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
Do you don't you want to take this hit
Does it make you feel like a part of "it"
"And I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away
I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away"
I'll be born again
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
The valley of the dolls
Is the valley of the dead
The valley of the dolls
Is the valley of the dead
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
"I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away
I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away"
I'll be born again
I'll be born again
I'll be born again
I'll be born again
The song "Born Again" by Gaither Vocal Band is a thought-provoking piece that speaks to the constant need for reinvention and rebirth. The opening line "Do you or don't you want this to be your song?" suggests that the song may not be for everyone, giving the listener the choice to engage with the message or not. The lyrics also reference rebellion, but in a more subtle way, stating that "It doesn't take a rebel to sing along." The notion of rebellion is juxtaposed with an image of weakness in the form of "this art is weak in its pretty, pretty frame," hinting at the idea that breaking away from the norm can be both empowering and unsettling.
The overall message of the song seems to be about shedding one's past self and embracing a new one, even if that means losing a part of oneself in the process. The line "I'm someone stupid, just like you" suggests that the desire for newness and reinvention can sometimes come at the expense of losing one's individuality. Furthermore, the valley of the dolls being referred to as "the valley of the dead" implies that the journey to rebirth and reinvention is not always a pleasant one and may even involve the death of one's old self.
Overall, "Born Again" is a dark yet enlightening song about the never-ending cycle of self-reinvention, and the sacrifices that may come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you or don't you want this to be your song?
Are you interested in adopting this song or not?
It doesn't take a rebel to sing along
Anybody can sing along, one doesn't have to be rebellious.
This art is weak in its pretty, pretty frame
The artwork is not strong enough, even though it looks nice.
And I'm your monkey with a misspelled name
I am your monkey, a loyal and entertaining servant with a name that is misspelled.
"I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away
I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away"
I'll be born again
I will bring down your disco music and replace it with something more meaningful in my life, because I will be reborn.
I'm someone else, I'm someone new
I'm someone stupid, just like you
I have become a different person, someone new, who is not any more intelligent than anyone else.
Do you don't you want to take this hit
Does it make you feel like a part of "it"
Do you want to experience this feeling or not, and do the lyrics make you feel like you belong to some group?
"And I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away
I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away"
I'll be born again
I am determined to replace your disco music with something better, and be reborn in the process.
The valley of the dolls
Is the valley of the dead
The place where dolls reside is a dead zone.
"I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away
I'll put down your disco
And take your heart away"
I'll be born again
I'll be born again
I'll be born again
I'll be born again
I will remove disco music and replace it with something better, which will help me to be born again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHELE COLETTI, RICCARDO LUCHINI, MIGUEL COLLINS, TREVOR JAMES, PAUL CROSSDALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@needabreak
That man was singing in the spirit. It was anointed! What a great song for Russ to sing. I've got goose bumps!
@annleroux8812
Russ sings with so much soul and he's definitely filled with the Holy Spirit! 🕊 This song is so touching, makes me want to dance in the Spirit! 👐
@anitaaliwonyamusoke9542
Russ Taff. A passionate musician.
These folks are music ministers before the Lord.
@gingerlover26
Love it when Russ sings!!! We always end up dancing around:)
@carmenforsyth1313
👼Ive been born again !.👼 Amen!.👼
@stevethurmond1158
I’m 52. When I was 12 or 13, I played drums for Russ when he came to our church in Evansville, IN. This was shortly after he left the Imperials. He’s always been my favorite gospel performer. When he sings he’s transformed… He goes to another place. In that moment in time, he’s not really Russ. It’s an amazing experience each and every time I watch him perform.
@RUT812
Russ Taff always takes us into real praise & worship!
@klazienaree2624
Those guys can really sing!! God really blessed them with amazing voices! Yes i born again prees the lord
@donaldphilip6517
Hello beautiful lady h
@diannehughes3970
I’ve never heard him featured in a song…he’s FANTASTIC!!!