Volz showed great skills in singing from a very early age. Being a self-taught musician, when he was 13 years old, he started his own band called The Wombats. As he grew up, he went on to share the stage with the likes of Janis Joplin, Chicago and others. In 1970 he became a born-again Christian and started performing with several Christian bands. He formed a band called Gideon's Bible, and later toured with a group known simply as the e Band, which was a part of the Jesus Movement. They released an album titled Because I Am in 1973 but broke up shortly after. Volz then moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he worked with legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. He also performed the lead role in a rock stage musical called Ezekiel.
In 1976, Volz received two of the most important calls of his life. First, he was offered the lead singer position of REO Speedwagon. Volz, being a recently converted Christian, declined. Six weeks later, he got the call to participate in Petra's second album, Come and Join Us. Although at that time he participated as a guest singer in just three songs, founder/guitarist Bob Hartman (who, at that time, was sharing the lead-singing duties with co-founder/guitarist Greg Hough) offered Volz the full-time position.
His first full-time album with the band, Washes Whiter Than, came in 1979 and therein came one of the most prolific periods of the legendary band. Volz remained the lead singer until 1985 when he left to pursue a solo career. Volz released his first solo effort, titled The River is Rising in 1986 under Myrrh Records. He followed it with three other moderately successful albums. During this time, he also toured with Joe English in a band called Pieces of Eight. Volz' tours drew in the 1,000 to 1,500 range during this time - a very respectable number for a Contemporary Christian artist, but no where near the level he experienced at the end of his tenure with Petra.
In the mid-90's, Volz decided to retire for some time. Apparently, during this time he was dealing with the divorce from his long-time wife, Becky. He resurfaced in 1998 with a string of new albums released from that year on.
In October 4, 2005 he re-joined Petra for the live recording of their last DVD, Petra Farewell. He joined the stage with current singer John Schlitt for a medley of ballads, and he followed it with a solo rendition of "Grave Robber", which was one of his hits with the band.
During his career, Volz has also lent his voice to numerous projects in the Christian music scene.
Feelings
Greg X. Volz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But feelings are deceiving
I'll place my faith in the Word of the Lord
Nothing else is worth believing.
Been on this roller coaster too many days
Riding in a circus of emotion
I get up on the high wire
My feelings have been ruling my devotions.
I feel like a strong man, I feel like a clown
I let my feelings push me up and down
Who can help me off this merry-go-round?
And tell me what is real? Can I trust what I feel?
Feelings come and feelings go
But feelings are so deceiving
I'll place my faith in the Word of the Lord
Nothing else is worth believing, nothing else is worth believing.
Peanuts and popcorn and I'm feeling okay
I get excited when the dancing bear dances
But can I serve Him when the band doesn't play
Will I trust Him through these changing circumstances.
If it feels good, they say, "It can't be wrong"
But love is more than a calliope song
How can I get back to where I belong
And get off this ferris wheel
I've got to live what is real.
Feelings come and feelings go
But feelings are so deceiving
I'll place my faith in the Word of the Lord
Nothing else is worth believing, nothing else is worth believing.
Feelings come and feelings go
But feelings are so deceiving
I'll place my faith in the Word of the Lord
Nothing else is worth believing, nothing else is worth believing.
In Greg X. Volz's song "Feelings," the lyrics explore the theme of not basing one's faith solely on feelings. The song presents the idea that our emotions can deceive us and lead us astray from truth, while the Word of the Lord is a solid foundation on which to place our trust. The verses describe being caught up in a constant cycle of emotional highs and lows, from feeling like a strong man to feeling like a clown, and the chorus asserts the importance of placing faith in something that is more reliable than fleeting feelings.
The lyrics use vivid imagery to compare the emotions to a circus, with a high wire and a lion's cage representing the extremes of emotional experience. The verse about peanuts and popcorn creates a nostalgic sense of nostalgia for simpler times, but the question remains: can the singer serve God even when the band isn't playing?
Ultimately, the song encourages listeners to question their reliance on feelings and to trust in something more constant and true. It's a reminder that faith is not something that can be easily swayed by passing emotions, but something that should be rooted in something more substantial.
Line by Line Meaning
Feelings come and feelings go
Emotions are constantly changing and never stable
But feelings are deceiving
However, they cannot be depended upon as they can mislead us
I'll place my faith in the Word of the Lord
Therefore, I have decided to trust in the teachings of God
Nothing else is worth believing.
There is nothing else that is as true and trustworthy as His words
Been on this roller coaster too many days
My life has been full of emotional ups and downs for too long
Riding in a circus of emotion
I feel like I am constantly surrounded by unpredictable and unstable feelings
I get up on the high wire
Sometimes I feel incredibly confident and strong
Then down in the lion's cage
But I can just as easily find myself in a dangerous and vulnerable position
My feelings have been ruling my devotions.
My emotions have had too much control over my actions and beliefs
I feel like a strong man, I feel like a clown
Sometimes I feel powerful and capable, while other times I feel foolish and weak
I let my feelings push me up and down
My emotions have too much influence over my mood and behavior
Who can help me off this merry-go-round?
I need someone to guide me off this cycle of emotional instability
And tell me what is real? Can I trust what I feel?
I am unsure of what to believe in and whether my emotions are reliable
Peanuts and popcorn and I'm feeling okay
Sometimes, simple and fleeting pleasures can make me feel content
I get excited when the dancing bear dances
I am easily amused by trivial things that bring temporary joy
But can I serve Him when the band doesn't play
However, it is much harder to remain faithful to God during tough times
Will I trust Him through these changing circumstances.
I need to learn to have faith and trust in God, even when things are difficult and unpredictable
If it feels good, they say, "It can't be wrong"
Sometimes, society encourages us to act based on our fleeting emotions, regardless of morality or consequences
But love is more than a calliope song
However, true love and devotion requires much more than just a simple feeling or attraction
How can I get back to where I belong
I am trying to find my way back to a belief system that is more grounded and less influenced by volatile emotions
And get off this ferris wheel
I need to break free from the constant cycle of emotional highs and lows
I've got to live what is real.
I need to live my life based on what I truly believe and what is truly important
Contributed by Christopher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ed M.
Oh... I was a kid when I heard this song.. so many memories! Thank you brother/sister!
Johsy B
The chipmunk voices are the only reason I remember this song from the 80s! I was born in 86 so I don't remember much. I was thrilled when my dad found this on youtube. The memories! Ha ha Plus, it's got such a practical message.
Jimmy
He changed it a bit, but my kids loved this version, so praise God for that \o/ Great song any way you slice it!
SuZW51
My pastor just informed me that the main phrase in this song is attributed to Martin Luther. I always liked this song, but now is more meaningful knowing the origin.
David Eden
This song went thru some evolution. In the 70's, I wrote it with Eband as a 3-quarter long playing epic about culture & faith. In the 80's I changed it into a reggae, circus themed praise song. Friend & Emate Greg X did a great job on it, but totally dropped the ball & the heart of the song by adding crazy chipmonk voices at the end!!! Oh well, we place our faith in the Word of the Lord...
Pastor Matthew Needham
I like the chipmonk sound
Sue K
I cannot tell you how many times I listened to GXV's version of this song..the effects are funny but the LYRICS ,are the song and are such a strong sentiment that it cannot be denied..and as an emotional teenager, the weird voices spoke of the changing moods of an angsty Christian teenager.
That Guy
Found it, if anyone else is interested in it, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe8pkt4qrnI
Just as good as Greg X's version, but without the chipmunk voices! The words really are much different in the two versions.
That Guy
I'd love to hear the original. Was it recorded on Vinyl, Casset, CD, anything? I was really enjoying this version until I heard the chipmunk voices... I wouldn't say it ruined the song, but it did put a damper on it.
manuel torres
No Feelings just keep the faith in Jesus Christ!