In this period James developed as a keyboardist and burgeoning songwriter. He was also learning first-hand the business of music. He attended Michigan State University for two years, but the desire to write and perform was too strong, and he left to seek a career in music.
Musical career
Upon his return to Detroit, Moss signed with a small local Christian label Aviday Records[1] and released two albums to little fanfare. Yet, during this time he became acquainted with Paul Allen and Walter Kearney. The three began working together as PAJAM. Moss spent the mid-90s touring with The Clark Sisters and was signed, along with Karen Clark-Sheard, his cousin, to Island Records in 1996 to record a solo album.[1] While a proper release never materialized for Moss before Island Black Music shut its doors,[2] Clark's became a smash and introduced the Gospel world to the production powerhouse of PAJAM.
Over the next seven years, the PAJAM team became Gospel music's most prolific hitmakers. However, Moss' desire to perform never went away, and in 2003 he and Allen began writing songs for what would ultimately become The J. Moss Project, released in September 2004 on GospoCentric Records.
Though PAJAM's work has been seen as a revolutionary blend of gospel and hip-hop style, The J. Moss Project is a surprisingly traditional affair. The set largely relies on familiar arrangements, and keeps its focus on Moss's clear tenor voice and strong backing choir vocals. The album made a grand entry with the upbeat lead single "I Wanna Be".
The disc includes a number of upbeat gospel numbers such as "Don't Pray and Worry" and "Psalm 150". J. Moss' lithe falsetto at times draws comparison to the likes of Prince and Tonéx on "Livin' 4". There are also several gentle ballads such as "Give You More" and the album's anthemic single "We Must Praise" that display J. Moss' range as a vocalist and songwriter.
V2... The J Moss Project
Finally, on April 3, 2007, J Moss released his second album V2... The J Moss Project through GospoCentric Records. Appearances made by contemporary Gospel group 21:03, Moss's cousin Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, Kirk Franklin, his cousin Karen Clark-Sheard, Marvin Winans of the famed Winans family, Byron Cage, and American comedian Steve Harvey. Three bonus tracks were originally thought to be regular album tracks. The bonus tracks are "Florida", "73 Degress", and "Everybody Ain't Got a Word". Of the album tracks on this release, an instant standout is the track "Dance", featuring Kirk Franklin, which riffs off of an infectious sample of Morris Day & The Time's early 1980s smash "777-9311".
Take Me
J Moss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I dig a little deeper and I see pain
I see myself as an average person
I dig into myself and I see the rain
I’m looking for a way to make it dissipate
I’m tired of crying and hope it doesn’t worsen
Does He really care for me
Does He really know anything about me
Is He too big that He doesn’t understand
Is He too far away that He can’t hear
What I need Him to hear and need Him to be near
Have I gone too far
Away from your presence
Oh my God I’m running back to you
Have I strayed away, too far to hear what you say
Oh my God I’m running back to you
Take me
Take me
Look deep into my eyes and I see tears
I do some soul searching and I see fear
I see myself as an injured person
I try to keep safe from the struggle and the storm
But try to find a way to make it move on
I don’t want this discouragement to worsen
Does He really care about me
Does He really know anything about me
Does He really hold the world in His hand
Or is He too big that He doesn’t understand
Is He too far away that He can’t hear
When I need Him to hear or need Him to be near
Have I gone too far
Away from your presence
Oh my God I’m running back to you
Have I strayed away
Too far to hear what you say
Oh my God I’m coming back to you
Take me
Back into your arms
Take me
Safe from all harm
Take me
Away from dark shadows
Take me
Where you lead I’ll follow
Take me
I can’t do this on my own
Been gone too long
Take me in your arms and keep me warm
Have I gone too far
Away from your presence
Oh my God I’m running back to you
Have I strayed away
Too far to hear what you say
Oh my God I’m coming back to you
Have I gone too far
Away from your presence
Oh my God I’m running back to you
Have I strayed away
Too far to hear what you say
Oh my God I’m coming back to you
Take me.
The song "Take Me" by J Moss is a touching ballad about the spiritual struggles that many people experience in life. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been through a lot of pain and hurt, and as a result, they question their faith in God. They wonder if God really cares about them, if He really understands what they're going through, and if He hears their cries for help. Despite their doubts, the singer realizes that God is the only one who can provide comfort and healing. They are willing to surrender themselves to God and ask Him to take them in, in the hope of finding peace and guidance.
The song's message is one of humility, surrender, and faith. It's a reminder that no matter how far we stray from God or how much we doubt our faith, we can always return to Him and find salvation. The lyrics speak to anyone who has ever felt lost or alone, and offer hope that through prayer and faith, we can overcome our struggles and find a way back to God.
Overall, "Take Me" is a beautiful and moving song that explores some of the deepest questions and concerns of the human heart. Its powerful message has resonated with listeners around the world, and it continues to inspire and uplift those who are searching for faith, hope, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
I dig into myself and I see hurt
I am introspecting and I realize that I am hurting.
I dig a little deeper and I see pain
I delve deeper and notice that the pain is persistent.
I see myself as an average person
I perceive myself to be someone typical, with ordinary troubles.
I dig into myself and I see the rain
I explore further and observe the constant barrage of personal conflicts.
I’m looking for a way to make it dissipate
I am searching for a solution that can alleviate my issues.
I’m tired of crying and hope it doesn’t worsen
I am exhausted from weeping, and I don't wish for the situation to escalate.
Does He really care for me
I question whether God makes an effort in caring for me.
Does He really know anything about me
I wonder how much awareness God has of my life.
Does He really hold the world in His hand
I question whether God has control over the entire world.
Is He too big that He doesn’t understand
I question if God being divine makes him unable to empathize with my difficulties.
Is He too far away that He can’t hear
I wonder if God being distant causes him not to hear me when I need him.
What I need Him to hear and need Him to be near
I have specific requests for God to hear me and come closer.
Have I gone too far
I ponder whether I have drifted too much from God's presence.
Away from your presence
I feel as though I am far from experiencing God's presence.
Oh my God I’m running back to you
I declare my intent to come back to God.
Have I strayed away, too far to hear what you say
I contemplate if I have gone too far that I cannot even hear God's guidance.
Look deep into my eyes and I see tears
As I search within, I find tears reflecting the turmoil within me.
I do some soul searching and I see fear
I probe deeper and detect feelings of worry within my soul.
I see myself as an injured person
I perceive myself as someone who has been hurt.
I try to keep safe from the struggle and the storm
I attempt to shield myself from the difficulties and hardships I am experiencing.
But try to find a way to make it move on
However, I strive to locate a means of progressing past my problems.
I don’t want this discouragement to worsen
I don't desire for my discouragement to escalate any further.
Take me
I am requesting God to take me.
Back into your arms
I am asking God to embrace me.
Safe from all harm
I ask to be protected from any danger.
Away from dark shadows
I plea to be sheltered from the gloominess that surrounds me.
Take me
Again, I request for God to take me.
Where you lead I’ll follow
I vow to trail behind God in his guidance.
I can’t do this on my own
I confess that I am unable to handle the issues I am battling alone.
Been gone too long
I acknowledge that I have been away from God for too long.
Take me in your arms and keep me warm
I implore God to keep me in his embrace and provide me comfort.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ozimede Feyikemi Ayodeji
on Good & Bad
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