Born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Rowlett, Texas, he currently resides in Rockwall, Texas. His parents, RenΓ© and Betsy Castro, are Colombian, and he is the first person in his family to be born in the United States, followed by younger siblings Michael Castro and Jackeline (Jackie Castro), both of whom are singer-songwriters as well. Spanish was his first language as a child. Their father, RenΓ©, is an architectural swimming pool designer and singer-songwriter.
He attended Vernon Schrade Middle School as a child and went on to Rowlett High School where he was a left winger on his school's soccer team and an honor student. He received a 1340 out of 1600 on his SAT. Castro was a junior majoring in Construction Science at Texas A&M University in College Station on a full academic scholarship when he auditioned for American Idol.
Castro has sported dreadlocks for more than three years.
Castro grew up playing drums. He taught himself to play the guitar in college. He had no formal voice training before auditioning for American Idol and had previously sung only 5 times in public, mostly during church services.
Castro performed as a drummer with the rock band Charlemagne, which later became Keeping Lions. He has stated that his musical influences include Ray LaMontagne, Ben Harper, Bob Marley, Carlos Vives and Kirk Baxley.
Castro was the love interest of Cheyenne Kimball on her MTV reality show, Cheyenne and was also featured in her music video for "Hanging On".
On October 31 on Halloween in 2009, Castro proposed to Mandy Mayhall, an alumna of the University of Oklahoma, a sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma and his girlfriend of a year and a half. Castro proposed to her at a tailgate party before the Oklahoma/Kansas State football game in Norman, Oklahoma. The two were dressed as Disney characters Belle and The Beast from the animated film Beauty and the Beast as their Halloween costumes. Castro and Mayhall began dating in 2008 when Castro's Idol stint began but first became friends in high school at Rowlett High School. Mayhall made a brief cameo in Castro's music video for "Let's Just Fall In Love Again".
As of January 2, 2010 Castro and Mayhall were married in his hometown near Dallas, TX. Castro and Mayhall now reside together in Dallas.
Hallelujah
Jason Castro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Baby I have been here before
I've seen this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
But love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The opening stanza of "Hallelujah" by Jason Castro talks about a "secret chord" that pleased the Lord when David played it. Despite this seemingly spiritual message, the lyrics take on a more critical, world-weary tone. The next line, "But you don't really care for music, do ya?" gives the impression that the listener is not interested in or appreciative of the beauty around them. The lyrics continue to describe the sequence of chords - the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, and the major lift - before moving on to mention the baffled king who is composing a song of praise. The repetition of the Hallelujah chorus throughout the song provides a fitting backdrop to Castro's soulful performance.
In the second stanza, Castro shifts to a more personal, intimate tone, describing a woman who overthrew him with her beauty when he saw her bathing on the roof. She subsequently ties him to a kitchen chair, breaks his throne, and cuts his hair, drawing the Hallelujah from his lips in the process. The third stanza speaks of a personal journey, as the singer declares that he has been in the same situation before, having lived alone before meeting someone new. This person has a flag on the marble arch, but the love they share is not a victory march. The song ends on an appropriately repetitive note, as the chorus of Hallelujah echoes out.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
I have come to know there is a particular tune that was only known to a select few
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
David played this tune and it brought joy to God
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
You are not really a fan of music, are you?
It goes like this
This is how the tune goes
The fourth, the fifth
The notes of the tune go up to the fourth and fifth notes of the musical scale
The minor fall, the major lift
The tune has a minor section followed by a major section
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
The confused king is writing a song of praise called Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You had a strong belief, but you required evidence
You saw her bathing on the roof
You caught a glimpse of her while she was bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
Her beauty combined with the moonlight had a great impact on you
She tied you
She bound you
To a kitchen chair
She tied you to a chair in the kitchen
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
She destroyed your seat of power and cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
She was the inspiration for your song of praise, Hallelujah
Baby I have been here before
I have experienced a similar situation previously
I've seen this room, I've walked this floor
I have been in this room and walked on this floor before
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I was once alone before I met you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
I have seen your banner on the grand arch
But love is not a victory march
Being in love is not always a winning battle
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Love can be difficult and unsatisfying, leading to a disappointing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JohnSmith-fu2kz
Still think he has the best cover of this, man he hits those notes with crucial emotion
@maryiamboc1216
WATCH β PASTORS PERSPECTIVE FEBRUARY 23, 2021β YOU Will SMILE πβ€οΈ
@barbaralarsen457
This version of hallelujah is the most beautiful I've heard. On my top 10 favorite songs of all time!
@maryiamboc1216
WOW βWATCH PASTORS PERSPECTIVE β FEBRUARY 23, 2021 β YOU WILL SMILE πβ€οΈ
@Darlenem222
I still think jason castro sings it the best out of any one I've ever heard sing it.
@shuriken204
me too
@MrBobRamone
indeed
@espoir2536
I think so too
@adriennesampler225
Darlene Weinbrenner I agree
@reptarthetrx2408
Darlene Weinbrenner Jeff Buckley version is the best