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 Promise You
John Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't believe it's me alone here with you
Every touch tells me it's real
And the words don't come close or say how I feel
(I promise you) I promise you I'll never give up on us
(I promise you) I promise you always the best of my love
(I promise you) I'll be the one you can turn to because
With everything your heart can hold
And all the whispered words you've never been told
This is where we belong in love from now on
(I promise you) I promise you...
It took a little time to see what should have been perfectly clear
Now I can't believe I spent one minute without you here
(I promise you) I promise you...
(I promise you) I promise you...
The song "I Promise You" by John Berry is a beautiful love song that expresses a deep commitment to a loved one. The first two lines of the lyrics describe a moment of profound intimacy between two people who have been through a lot together. Despite everything, they are still together and the singer is amazed that he can be alone with this person he loves so much. The next two lines go on to describe how every touch is real and how the singer struggles to find the right words to describe how he feels.
The chorus of the song is a series of promises that the singer makes to his beloved. He promises to never give up on their relationship, to always give her the best of his love, and to be there for her no matter what happens. The last line of the chorus is especially powerful because it suggests that even if her wishes fall through, he will still be there for her with his love.
The second verse of the song describes everything that the singer's heart can hold and all the whispered words that have never been told. He believes that they belong together and that their love will last from now on. The final lines of the song echo the chorus, with the singer promising once again to always be there for his beloved.
Overall, "I Promise You" is a beautiful and heartfelt love song that expresses a deep commitment to a loved one. The lyrics are simple but powerful, and they capture the essence of true love and devotion.
Interesting Facts:
1) "I Promise You" was released in 1997 as a single from John Berry's album "Faces."
2) The song reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
3) John Berry wrote the song with Victor James "Vip" Vipperman.
4) The music video for the song features John Berry performing the song in a field.
5) In addition to John Berry, the song has been covered by several other country artists, including Wade Hayes and Chad Brock.
6) The song was used in the 1998 movie "Hope Floats," starring Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr.
7) "I Promise You" won the ASCAP Country Award for Most Performed Song in 1998.
8) John Berry has stated in interviews that the song was inspired by his own marriage to his wife, Robin.
9) "I Promise You" was one of John Berry's biggest hits, and it helped to establish him as one of the leading country artists of the late 1990s.
10) The song has become a popular choice for wedding ceremonies and first dance songs.
Chords (if known):
Unfortunately, the chords for "I Promise You" are not available at this time.
Line by Line Meaning
After all that we've been through
Acknowledging past difficulties they have experienced together
I can't believe it's me alone here with you
Expressing joy and gratitude for being together now
Every touch tells me it's real
Feeling genuine connection with their partner
And the words don't come close or say how I feel
Admitting language inadequacy to describe their feelings
(I promise you) I promise you I'll never give up on us
Committing to staying together
(I promise you) I promise you always the best of my love
Pledging to always give their partner their best love
(I promise you) I'll be the one you can turn to because
Promising to always be there for their partner
If your wishes fall through I'll still promise you my love
Assuring their partner of their unconditional love
With everything your heart can hold
Offering everything that their partner might desire and want from a relationship
And all the whispered words you've never been told
Recognizing the importance of saying loving words
This is where we belong in love from now on
Affirming their commitment to each other
(I promise you) I promise you...
Reiterating their heartfelt promises
It took a little time to see what should have been perfectly clear
Regretting taking so long to realize their true feelings
Now I can't believe I spent one minute without you here
Realizing the importance of their partner in their life
(I promise you) I promise you...
Reaffirming their promise once again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jason Derlatka, Mark Spiro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind