John Berry has one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in country music. It's a stunningly rich, majestic tenor that he uses to its full effect. With multiple gold and platinum albums and nominations from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, and the Grammy's, he has clearly forged an appreciation from the music industry and fans alike. One such fan includes former President George H. Bush and wife Barbara, who invited John to sing for Mr. Bush's birthday party.
Born in Aiken, South Carolina, and raised in the Atlanta, Georgia area, John grew up in an eclectic musical household. His father listened to concert pianist Van Clyburn, his mother had a strong taste for gospel, and his brother became an opera singer. John gravitated to both soul and country music and began recording his own albums at home in 1979. Two years later, John started performing solo acoustic shows in northeast Georgia, then expanded around the southeast, building a strong name and following. As his reputation grew, so did the demand for his self-styled recordings. He eventually made six self-produced albums, with the last one selling over 10,000 copies. He was finally signed to Capitol Records in 1992.
John had his first #1 single in 1994 with "Your Love Amazes Me," with "She's Taken a Shine" and "Standing on the Edge of Goodbye" following suit. Other Top 10 releases included "You and Only You" "I Think About It All The Time", "What's In It For Me", "If I Had Any Pride Left At All", and "Change My Mind." "Standing On The Edge", as well as his edgy top 10 hit "Kiss Me in the Car," showed off John's songwriting ability.
Making a difference is John's motivation, and he sees music as a profoundly important calling. He has conscientiously used his influence to improve both the global and local communities. He has contributed his time and talents for several children's charities, and lent his name to such causes as adult literacy and Cystic Fibrosis. John has been quoted as saying "If there are things we can do that may help make a difference in the lives of others, we should make the most of that opportunity".
John has been actively recording his own albums with his new independent label, Clear Sky Records. His album Songs and Stories was released in May 2002, and has sold over 25,000 copies at shows, online, and through his Fan Club. For the 2003 holiday season, he re-released his live Christmas CD, O Holy Night Live, formerly titled Christmas Live. That CD has been snapped up by fans also, creating the need for a fourth pressing.
During the summer of 2003, John hit the road with friends David Lee Murphy and Lee Roy Parnell on the "Paintin' the Town Tour". While on the tour, John and David Lee wrote the romantic single "Will You Marry Me?," which received high praise. On reviewing the single, music critic Robert K. Oermann says John has "still got the goods". Also, that "There's something special about saying something in a song for people who might not be able to express themselves in such a nakedly emotional way." Bill Lewis at WYTZ in Benton Harbor, MI, predicts "Will You Marry Me?" will make those single guys want to run out and get the ring for their lady and married couples will want to renew their vows." One fan did just that. He was inspired by hearing the song on the radio to "pop the question" to his girlfriend when he heard the song on the radio. This fan even called John's Fan Club to get the CD early, in order to use it for the special event.
The ambient/experimental/indie rock artist from Chicagoland, IL and the Upper Peninsula, MI has been in several bands since mid-high school around 2005, most recently Shipwreck Party during his time at the University of Northern Michigan, where he helped form Shipwreck Party. He released his solo debut, Big North on Thanksgiving, 2013, and is continuing to release EP's and other works. His music is freely available on johnberry.bandcamp.com, as well as Spotify, and is available for purchase on iTunes.
I Give My Heart
John Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will be there by your side
When your standing at the rivers edge
I will be the bridge you find
If you said,"Meet me now beyond the stars"
I'd pack my bags I'd go that far
With the strength that only love commands
I give my heart
Keep it with you if you have to go
It will see you safely home
Wrap it 'round you like your favorite coat
When your caught out in the storm
If you lose faith in who you are
I'd bring you back, I'd go that far
With the strength that only love commands
I give my heart
When all that's left of me
All the words in this song
I know this love will carry on
With the strength that only love commands
I give my heart
The lyrics to John Berry's song "I Give My Heart" are a powerful declaration of love and devotion. The opening lines set the tone, with the singer saying that they will be there for their loved one before they even call their name. The imagery of being a bridge at the river's edge is especially poignant, conveying the idea that the singer will always be there to help their loved one cross any difficult or uncertain terrain.
As the song continues, the singer goes on to promise that they will go to great lengths for their loved one. Even if their loved one were to ask them to "meet… beyond the stars," the singer would pack their bags and go, such is the strength and power of their love. The chorus reinforces this idea, with the singer giving their heart to their loved one to keep with them, to "wrap… 'round [them] like [their] favorite coat" in times of storm and trouble. Through it all, the love the singer feels commands their strength and devotion, prompting them to give their heart fully and completely.
The final verse is especially emotional, with the singer acknowledging that they will not always be there. "When all that's left of me / All the words in this song," they say, "I know this love will carry on." The implication here is that even when the singer is gone, their love will continue to sustain their loved one. The strength of the love they share is so powerful that it will transcend time and space, continuing to guide and comfort their loved one long after the singer is gone.
Overall, "I Give My Heart" is a deeply emotional and heartfelt song about the power of love and devotion. Through vivid imagery and powerful lyrics, John Berry captures the essence of what it means to give your heart to someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Before you even call my name
I will always be there for you, even without you asking for my help.
I will be there by your side
No matter what the situation is, I will be there to support you.
When your standing at the rivers edge
Even when you seem to be in danger or unable to cross a difficult situation.
I will be the bridge you find
I will be a solution to your problems when hope is lost.
If you said,"Meet me now beyond the stars"
I would go wherever you want me to be, no matter how far it is.
I'd pack my bags I'd go that far
I would sacrifice anything for you, just to make you happy.
With the strength that only love commands
Love is the reason I have strength to do anything for you.
Keep it with you if you have to go
Keep my love with you, even if you are far away from me.
It will see you safely home
My love will guide you back to me, and keep you safe always.
Wrap it 'round you like your favorite coat
My love will comfort you whenever you need it, like a warm coat.
When your caught out in the storm
Even when life gets tough, and circumstances get bad.
If you lose faith in who you are
If you ever feel lost or unsure of yourself.
I'd bring you back, I'd go that far
I would always be there to help you find yourself again, no matter what.
When all that's left of me
Even if I am not physically there with you, my love will still exist.
All the words in this song
This song is a testament of my love for you.
I know this love will carry on
I know that our love will last forever.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JAMES ALLEN SHAMBLIN II, WILLIAM ALLEN KIRSCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DreamKidSteve
What wonderful lyrics, beautifully sung. One of my most favourite songs ever.
@albainbridge1
Lovely voice, so powerful, lovely words, so meaningful.......a lovely song.
Really like this Steve.
Thanks for the upload....as always!
All the best,
Al
@DreamKidSteve
Cheers Al, so pleased you have such GOOD taste in voice, music and lyrics. Just found this song again after 18 years and it passed me by first time round as I was listening to way to much. Eurovision weekend and will be cheering on Holland, brilliant band with great staging, who are doing a Country song this year. Thank you as always for your kind comment. Best to you, Steve
@angelaarnold3740
I had this Played at My Husband's Funeral, Because I HAVE LOVED Him Since Forever. ❤❤❤❤❤
@erikhache8591
Réally beautiful melody 0:39 😊
@angelaarnold3740
John Berry is the Lottery Winning 😅 Artist and once again thank you for the Words. In this Song ❤️ it's for my Only Love . Keith.💞 Angela Arnold.xxxx💖
@StageParades
Happy New Year everyone, resolution is to try and use Stage Parades Google+ channel more for sharing music as Facebook doesn't reach the parts other social media sites reach anymore. For those romantics like me, know that with the strength that only love commands, I GIVE MY HEART :-
@angelaarnold3740
THANK YOU JOHN, YOU ARE TRULY A WONDERFUL MAN, AND YOUR WIFE "ROBIIN" IS YOUR PERFECT PARTNER IN LIFE. BLESS YOU BOTH,ANGELA ARNOLD ENGLAND
@angelaarnold3740
SAW YOU IN "NASHVILLE " JOHN AND YOU WERE "AMAZING "GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY .ANGELA ARNOLD .ENGLAND.
@angelaarnold3740
This is for you KEITH because I WILL LOVE ❤ YOU FOREVER ❤ ANGELA. XXX