There are at least three bands using the name "Glad"

1 - The band ma… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands using the name "Glad"

1 - The band making the most longstanding use of the name is a contemporary Christian band (and often, a cappella ensemble) formed in 1972 on the campus of West Chester State University of Pennsylvania when singer Ed Nalle auditioned for a new Christian band. Nalle would write and produce much of GLAD's early material in addition to his role as lead vocalist. The other members (from Temple University in Philadelphia) were Bob Kauflin (keyboards, vocals), T. Coble (bass, vocals), John Bolles (guitar, vocals), and Brad Curry (drums). The group's name was chosen from a poll taken at a shopping mall. Playing over 200 dates annually at college campuses, churches and concert halls throughout the United States, GLAD released their first two albums on Myrrh Records in 1978 and 1980.

"The Reason" (on Beyond a Star) was their first a cappella song, which they subsequently re-recorded for their 1988 watershed album, The Acapella Project. That album was released with some trepidation because there was no track record in the genre for the Christian market, but it proved tremendously popular (selling over 400,000 copies), and received a Dove Award nomination and a Billboard Critic's Choice Award. Since that time, GLAD has alternated band and a cappella recordings and increased their admirers, evidenced by new groups that are obviously influenced by the group's elaborate, multilayered sound.

GLAD ventured into the mainstream with their 1995 release, A Cappella Gershwin (featuring some arrangements by the legendary Gene Puerling), which set the a cappella world buzzing and helped introduce their music to a wider audience.

GLAD's current lineup includes Nalle and longtime members Chris Davis (a musician with a strong background in classical and electric guitar, plus session work in the Northwest) and John Gates (an experienced studio percussionist who backed Gladys Knight & the Pips, Frankie and the Knockouts, and others), plus alternating keyboardists Paul Langford and Don Pardoe. Kauflin and Don Hart are the group's primary a cappella arrangers. Recently, the group has released recordings inspired by the writings of John Piper and the worship music of Sovereign Grace Ministries (formerly PDI).
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2 - The second band calling itself Glad is Timothy B. Schmit's band, who made one album in 1968 before he left to join Poco and become a leading figure in the development and evolution of Country Rock.
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3 - Third, Glad is also the name of a little-known UK indie band. Formed in Oxford in 1988, the band that was to become Glad changed their name more often than their underwear. Settling on Smitty’s Chopper for their first gig, the band’s original line-up was Mark Jordan (bass & vocals), Tony Greenham (guitar), Jon Williams (guitar), Will Crerar (drums) and John Tabinor (vocals). Jordan soon took over as main vocalist with Tabinor opting to leave rather than become an embarrassing appendage. The band’s name gradually morphed into Paisley Nightmare and Angus-Boyd Heron was recruited on bass, leaving Jordan free to focus on his frontman persona. After a final, Madchester-inspired name change to Glad and a personnel change in the drumming department, the band split in 1992.
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Just As I Am
Glad Lyrics

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I've had a lot of big dreams
I've made a lot of bad moves
I know you could walk away
But you never do

I've met a lot of cold hearts
I've learned to smile and deceive
I know I'm hard to be around

But you never leave

I'm not easy to understand
But you hold out your hand

And you say you love me
Just as I am
You always treat me
The best that you can
You say you want me, need me
Love me baby
Just as I am, just as I am

I've made a lot of heartaches
I've found a lot of closed doors
When all the others turn away
You love me more
You love me more

I'm not easy to understand
But you hold out your hand

And you say you love me
Just as I am
You always treat me
The best that you can
You say you want me, need me
Love me baby
Just as I am, just as I am

I want to love forever
To keep our world together
And be the best that I can be
Baby, every time the world
Caves in on me

And you say
Just as I am
You always treat me
The best that you can
You say you want me, need me

Love me baby
Just as I am, just as I am

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Glad's song "Just As I Am" express deep gratitude for a significant other who accepts the flaws and imperfections of the singer. The first verse sets the background of the singer's life struggles, including making terrible decisions and interacting with insincere people. The singer acknowledges that this behavior pushes people away and how they do not deserve such grace from their significant other. The chorus reveals the lover's unconditional love and acceptance despite the singer's flaws. The second verse shows the singer's acknowledgment of past mistakes and eventual hopelessness, but the lover's undying love gives them a new sense of hope.

The last verse seeks to hold onto their love, acknowledging that the world is not perfect and can easily take everything away, but the significant other's love remains unwavering. The chorus repeats the message of unconditional love and acceptance, solidifying the theme of the song. The song's message is that true companionship sustains despite the complexities that come with it.

Line by Line Meaning

I've had a lot of big dreams
I've had numerous aspirations that seemed immense and unattainable.

I've made a lot of bad moves
I've made countless wrong decisions that affected my life negatively.

I know you could walk away
I'm aware that you can easily give up on me and leave me behind.

But you never do
Despite my faults and shortcomings, you still choose to stay with me and in my life.

I've met a lot of cold hearts
I've encountered many individuals who were indifferent and unkind to me.

I've learned to smile and deceive
I've had to pretend to be cheerful and dishonest to conceal my true feelings and intentions.

I know I'm hard to be around
I'm aware that I can be difficult and challenging to deal with.

But you never leave
Nevertheless, you continue to stand by my side and never abandon me.

I'm not easy to understand
My thoughts and behaviors may be complex and confusing to comprehend.

But you hold out your hand
Despite this, you still offer your hand of support and care for me.

And you say you love me
You verbally express your affection and devotion towards me.

Just as I am
Without any alterations or changes, you accept me as I am.

You always treat me
Your actions and behavior towards me are always respectful and kind.

The best that you can
You make an effort to provide me with your utmost care and attention.

You say you want me, need me
You express your desire and necessity for me in your life.

Love me baby
You have profound feelings of love and respect for me, baby.

I've made a lot of heartaches
I've caused hurt and pain to myself and others through my actions.

I've found a lot of closed doors
I've come across many obstacles and barriers that hindered my progress and growth.

When all the others turn away
When everyone else abandons and rejects me,

You love me more
You continue to love and support me even more despite my flaws and shortcomings.

I want to love forever
I desire to love eternally and endlessly.

To keep our world together
To maintain and strengthen our relationship and bond.

And be the best that I can be
To do my utmost to improve and grow as a person.

Every time the world caves in on me
Whenever I face challenges and hardships in life.

And you say
And in those moments, you tell me,

Just as I am
That you accept and love me unconditionally, without any changes.

You always treat me
You continue to show me respect and kindness.

The best that you can
You never compromise in providing me with your utmost care and attention.

You say you want me, need me
You remind me of your desire and necessity for me in your life.

Love me baby
You express your significant affection and respect for me, baby.

Just as I am, just as I am
You accept and cherish me purely and entirely, without any expectations or conditions.

Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC, SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC
Written by: DICK WAGNER, ROB HEGEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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