While Greg Kihn may have found a home for his music when he moved to Berkeley in 1974 and signed on with Beserkley Records, it would take almost a decade to find a successful formula for his music. Winding from Dylanesque folk to merseyesque rock, by the early '80s Kihn and his band found they shared elements of new wave music, and scored their first US hit, "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)." Kihn had a bigger hit the following year with "Jeopardy," which peaked in the States at number 2. "Jeopardy" brought Kihn two of the highest honors an early eighties act could achieve: MTV put the video into heavy rotation, and Weird Al Yankovic recorded a parody. Kihn has been hard at work over the years, hosting a radio show, writing books and coming up with clever album titles (Kihnspiracy, Unkihntrollable). He has kinhtinued recording through it all, though it has proven difficult for Kihn to recapture the successes of 1982 and '83.
(http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/gregkihnband.htm)
Testify
Greg Kihn Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I wanna testify
Got a job a roof overhead don't live fancy but my family's fed
I wanna testify
Got my strength and I got my health you can't buy that with fame or wealth And
I just wanna testify
I get overwhelmed with thankfulness for things I have received
More than fame or wealth I feel the spirit inside movin' me
And I just wanna testify
I got a joy that comes from within, deep in my soul I feel so content
And I just wanna testify
I searched high and I searched low, to find the answers only Heaven holds
And I just wanna testify
Too much joy, can't keep it to myself, I feel the need to tell somebody else
And I just wanna testify
Gifts of love that we all need, are provided if we only plant the seeds
And I wanna plant the seeds and testify
I just wanna testify
Feelin' light enough to fly
Lift your voice up to the sky
Come on join in and don't be shy
Get on your feet and testify
Feelin' light enough to fly
Lift your voice up to the sky
Come on join in and don't be shy
The lyrics of Testify by the Greg Kihn Band express gratitude and joy for the simple things in life, as well as a desire to share that joy with others. The opening lines set the tone, with the singer expressing thankfulness for another day. Throughout the song, the lyrics highlight the singer's gratitude for having a job, a home, and a healthy family, things that they recognize are more important than fame or wealth. They describe a feeling of contentment and joy that comes from within, and suggest that this joy is something everyone can experience if they only "plant the seeds" of love and gratitude in their lives.
The song has a gospel-inspired feel, with its call-and-response structure and repeated refrains. The lyrics are both personal and universal, expressing the singer's individual gratitude while also inviting others to join in and share their own experiences. The upbeat tempo and catchy melody add to the sense of celebration and community that the song conveys.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning when I wake I'm so thankful for another day
Expressing gratitude for being alive and having another day to enjoy.
And I wanna testify
Feeling the need to share the positive experiences in life.
Got a job a roof overhead don't live fancy but my family's fed
Being content with having a job and a home, even if not affluent, as long as the basic needs of family are met.
I wanna testify
Reiterating the desire to share positive experiences and feelings.
Got my strength and I got my health you can't buy that with fame or wealth And I just wanna testify
Acknowledging that health and strength are invaluable, and expressing the need to share that gratitude.
I get overwhelmed with thankfulness for things I have received
Feeling grateful for all good things in life.
More than fame or wealth I feel the spirit inside movin' me
Experiencing an inner joy and contentment that goes beyond material possessions.
Looked around and can't ignore, there's so many things to be thankful for
Noticing and acknowledging the many blessings in life.
And I just wanna testify
Expressing the desire to share the gratitude and joy with others.
I got a joy that comes from within, deep in my soul I feel so content
Feeling happy and content on a deep level.
And I just wanna testify
Reiterating the desire to share that joy.
I searched high and I searched low, to find the answers only Heaven holds
Looking for answers and finding comfort in spiritual beliefs.
And I just wanna testify
Reiterating the desire to share positive experiences with others.
Too much joy, can't keep it to myself, I feel the need to tell somebody else
Feeling the desire to share the joy with others.
And I just wanna testify
Expressing the need to share good experiences and emotions.
Gifts of love that we all need, are provided if we only plant the seeds
Affirming the existence of love in the world, and the need to cultivate and share it.
And I wanna plant the seeds and testify
Expressing the desire to share love and joy with others.
Feelin' light enough to fly
Feeling unburdened and free.
Lift your voice up to the sky
Promoting the expression of happiness and gratitude.
Come on join in and don't be shy
Inviting others to participate in sharing the joy.
Get on your feet and testify
Encouraging others to share their positive experiences and feelings.
Feelin' light enough to fly
Reiterating the feeling of being unburdened and free.
Lift your voice up to the sky
Encouraging expression of the positive emotions and thoughts.
Come on join in and don't be shy
Inviting others to join in sharing the joy.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind