For most people, a room filled with thousands o… Read Full Bio ↴Go Fish Official Bio
For most people, a room filled with thousands of screaming children goes into the category of nightmare. But for the guys in Go Fish, it sounds like music to their ears—a dream come true.
Jamie Statema, Jason Folkmann and Andy Selness—Go Fish—are arguably one of the most unique groups in the music industry. Not only do they make music for children and families, but they create amazing sounds with just their voices and percussion.
For children, Go Fish may be their first real concert experience, complete with lights, backdrops and fog machines. It’s a rock and roll show, says the group, tailor-made for kids. “There’s a misconception out there of what children’s music has to be,” says Andy. “Quite honestly, it doesn’t have to be simple. You don’t have to dumb down music for kids. Because of that, parents really enjoy this music as well.
”No gimmicks, either—which is a relief to parents who are up to their ears in big red cars, purple dinosaurs and backpacks. Just great songs, most written by Jamie, that creatively communicate biblical values. “Parents are important,” adds Jamie. “We want them to enjoy this with their kids, and not have dad sitting in the audience thinking, ‘Oh, I’m just totally taking one for the team now.’”
“The most common remark we hear from parents is, ‘You guys are the one CD that our entire family can agree to listen to in the car. Please don’t stop what you’re doing!’” says Jason. “That sums up why we do what we do—to have the opportunity to make music that brings entire families together.”
Following a string of successful independent recordings and two projects with the inpop label, Go Fish focused their energy on creating music for kids and families, releasing Splash in 2003, followed by Superstar (2004), Snooze (2006) and the Showtime DVD (2006). Go Fish is now adding Snow, their second Christmas recording, to the impressive line-up.
While kids will still love Snow, this is indeed a CD for the whole family, the group notes. Adults will recognize some traditional songs, but with a whole new Go-Fish twist. Both “Joy to the World” and “We Three Kings” get fresh spins as the trio adds new music and lyrics to the tried-and-true. The classic “Away in A Manger,” for instance, ends with the hymn “Beautiful Savior.”
“People like familiarity, especially at Christmastime, but we really took a lot of effort to make sure that even the songs people know sound unique and have new ideas attached to them,” explains Jamie. “Add that they are mostly all percussion and vocals, and we feel it makes a unique Christmas collection.” True to the Go Fish mission, Snow is a clear-cut Christian record—no “holiday” songs here. From the hymn “My Jesus I Love Thee,” to “It’s About the Cross,” which leads the listener from the manger to the cross, there’s a theme of the entirety of God’s love.
Jamie, Jason and Andy even brought in a little help to get their point across on “Christmas with a Capital C.” Conservative comedian Brad Stine joins in on the tune as they challenge the political correctness of saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”
Go Fish will be bringing music from Snow to a dozen cities across the U.S. this winter, playing such major venues as the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and The Target Center in Minneapolis. The Snow Tour promises to rank as one of the highlights of a surprising career which has celebrated numerous benchmarks, including a sold-out performance at the 14,000 seat Excel Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, and recent coverage on NBC’s Today Show. But it is not these accomplishments that drive Go Fish forward—it is simply walking out their mission, which was borne many years ago.
From the start, founding member Jamie Statema knew he wanted to be involved in something unique. And although he struggled between his musical aspirations and youth ministry, he ultimately found that special something in a concert over a decade ago, when a Canadian band called The Nylons visited St. Paul.
It was the first time he’d seen an acappella group perform—just great vocals and percussion, but with real pop production. They were a mainstream band, but Jamie wanted to bring some of the same elements to Christian music. With that foundation, Jamie formed Go Fish in 1993. The group recorded their first independent project in 1995, which has gone on to sell more than 100,000 units. Andy and Jason joined the group in 1998 and Go Fish began to come into its own.
The trio quickly developed a strong following throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota. Wanting to break out into other areas of the country, they sought the help of the Nashville-based inpop label, recording two albums and making headway at radio stations with a more pop-oriented sound.
“We were an acappella group until that point,” recalls Jamie. “Then after signing with inpop, we added instruments and went a different direction. In the process, we learned that we already had a good grasp of what we were doing, and who we were called to be both musically and spiritually.”
After parting ways with inpop, the trio formed their own label, gfk records. Coming full-circle helped them confirm a desire to get back to what they were good at—vocal music. And along with that came the realization that they’d always had families coming to their shows, from toddlers to grandparents.
In 2003 Go Fish decided to swing things differently with an acappella children’s record. Figuring it was either going to be the last thing they did or the best thing, they created Splash. But the response was immediate, with nearly 8,000 in attendance over their first six shows. Just as immediate was the clarity of God’s calling.
“If this was all over today, I would look back and remember the first weekend we did our kids’ concerts,” remembers Jamie. “Because after eight years of doing Go Fish, we all knew what those years were for—without a doubt, we knew where God wanted us. All the ups and downs—it was a crazy journey to get to that place, but so clear how necessary those years were to prepare us for what we’re doing now.” “I would love to say that we were these smart marketing guys, that we knew we could have a potential career doing this—but that’s not it at all!” he laughs. “We’re not in this as a stepping stone to something else. This is where God wants us, and it feels pretty important.”
With research from the Barna Group emphasizing the importance of reaching children, citing that most Christians today come to faith before the age of 14, the mission of Go Fish is clear. “We’re talking about leaving a legacy—not just doing something different musically, but making an impact on lives, especially children,” says Andy. “We want to instill values in the home again, by bringing it back to the basic foundation of the Bible. We’re targeting the kids because they are the next generation of influential people.”
“Long after we are gone, we hope that the music speaks for itself,” adds Jason. “Not only the quality and creativity, but the lasting effect it can have in the hearts of those who enjoy it.”
With all three members married, and Andy and Jamie now parents, that outreach is even more personal. “When you have children, you want to protect them with everything you have—but you can’t,” says Jamie. “And so, when you open that door and let someone else play a part in the life of your child, that is a huge thing, especially when that person is talking about principles for living. We take that responsibility extremely seriously, even in the little things. When I see a dad come through the autograph line with his little boy, I think, ‘If I was that dad, what would I want this performer to do for my son that would just make my his day?’”
And making kids’ and parents’ days is what Go Fish is all about. Great harmonies, direct lyrics, inspiring messages—rolled up into a dynamic presentation that is making an impact and creating memories for countless families across the country.
Please
Go Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can love me, you can hate me
I do what I do and you haven? t got a clue
? Cuz you don? t see what I see
You can write what you write you can say what you want
But you should know it doesn? t matter
I have an audience of one and you? re not Him
CHORUS
Please, please like me
I don? t think so
My God made me who I am
Please, please like me
I don? t think so
I? m gonna stay true to who I am
One day you? re this and another day you? re that
Like a bed your mind should be made
Don? t try to be like anyone,? cuz they? re not you
And authenticity will not fade
CHORUS
BRIDGE
So will you like me
If I play the game and don? t push your envelope?
So will you praise me
If I play it safe and don? t rock your little boat?
Will you like me
If you get past you and look at who I am?
I wish you? d see me
As a follower of God? s one of a kind plan
I don? t mind if you think I? m wrong
I still know why I sing my song
You can push and pull as hard as you can
I? m on a mission and I will stand
The lyrics of Go Fish's song "Please" talk about being true to oneself even when others may not accept or understand us. The song emphasizes the importance of being authentic and staying true to one's values and beliefs, regardless of others' opinions. The line "I am what I am, and that's all that I am" suggests that the singer is comfortable with who they are and is not seeking validation or approval from others. The verse "You can write what you write, you can say what you want, but you should know it doesn't matter" acknowledges that people may try to bring us down with negative comments, but ultimately, we have the power to choose how we respond and not let them affect us. The chorus repeats the message of not seeking validation from others and staying true to oneself, even if it means not being liked by everyone. In the bridge, the singer highlights that playing it safe or conforming to others' expectations will not lead to true acceptance, and it's essential to be recognized for who they are, not who they pretend to be.
Line by Line Meaning
I am what I am and that? s all that I am
I am being true to myself and won't change for others.
You can love me, you can hate me
Others' opinions of me won't affect my identity or my mission.
I do what I do and you haven? t got a clue
Others may not understand my actions or purpose.
? Cuz you don? t see what I see
Others don't have the same perspective as I do.
You can write what you write you can say what you want
Others can talk or write about me, but it won't change who I am.
But you should know it doesn? t matter
I am not affected by others' opinions or words.
I have an audience of one and you? re not Him
God is the only one I aim to please and answer to.
So good luck with all your chatter (you? re the expert chatter)
Others can talk all they want, but it won't change my convictions or purpose.
Please, please like me
I won't beg for anyone's approval or acceptance.
I don? t think so
I am confident in who I am and won't change for others.
My God made me who I am
I believe God created me with a unique purpose and identity.
I? m gonna stay true to who I am
I am committed to being authentic and true to myself.
One day you? re this and another day you? re that
Some people change who they are based on others' opinions or situations.
Like a bed your mind should be made
People should be confident and secure in their own beliefs and identity.
Don? t try to be like anyone,? cuz they? re not you
People shouldn't try to be someone else, because they are unique and have their own purpose.
And authenticity will not fade
Being true to oneself is a lasting trait, not a temporary one.
So will you like me
I am not concerned with whether others like me or not.
If I play the game and don? t push your envelope?
If I conform to others' expectations and play it safe, will you like me?
So will you praise me
I am not seeking anyone's praise or approval.
If I play it safe and don? t rock your little boat?
If I avoid challenging or disrupting others, will you praise me?
Will you like me
My identity and purpose are not dependent on others' opinions of me.
If you get past you and look at who I am?
If you look beyond your own biases and perspectives, will you see the real me?
I wish you? d see me
I hope others can see and appreciate my authentic self.
As a follower of God? s one of a kind plan
I believe God has a unique plan for my life, and I am committed to following Him.
I don? t mind if you think I? m wrong
I am not bothered by others' opinions, even if they think I am wrong.
I still know why I sing my song
I am confident in my purpose and will continue to pursue it.
You can push and pull as hard as you can
Others can try to influence or pressure me, but it won't change who I am.
I? m on a mission and I will stand
I am fully committed to my calling and won't let others' opinions deter me.
Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ashley Canas
I can’t believe I forgot how to play! Thank you!
Keren Chase
I'm now playing with my son & I forgot lol
Edward-_-NRG
Same
prabhuramselvan
I'm playing with my daughter and I forgot
prabhuramselvan
Thanks for for the precise video
zephymczef
Same
Mari
Thank you. When I was younger, I loved this game, but my parents forbid me from playing it because they didn't want me "gambling" or something stupid like that. So I completely forgot how to play so this helped a lot. I haven't played in forever!
Charlotte Evans
That’s odd. It’s a simple card game.
kalyani nagulapalli
Mines too !So I’m always clueless when I play cards with someone
duane dogsdayout
@Charlotte Evans My grandpa forbid playing cards in the house because of the association of gambling.