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 Will
John Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People fell in love
And they stayed in love
It never crossed their mind
Not to see it through
When they said I do
Hearts break apart
Like they're made out of glass
It's getting hard to believe
In love that can last
I will if you will
Once in every life
Someone comes along
Like you've come along
And it would be so nice
If this happiness
Could go on and on
But in this modern world, troubles come by
People let go the first tear they cry
Someone has to be strong
To keep love alive, I will if you will
But in this modern world troubles come by
People let go the first tear they cry
Someone has to be strong for love to survive
I will if you will
Let's give it a try
Let's do it or die
I will if you will
The song "I Will If You Will" by John Berry is a poignant and romantic ode to the enduring and challenging nature of love in the modern world. The opening line of the song, "Once upon a time, people fell in love and they stayed in love", sets the tone for a nostalgic and wistful reflection on the changing nature of relationships over time. The lyrics suggest that in the past, people were more committed to love and marriage and were willing to work through any difficulties they encountered to keep their love alive. However, in the present day, love seems to be more fragile and fleeting, and people are more inclined to give up on their relationships at the first sign of trouble.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's determination to make his love last in spite of the challenges that arise. He tells his partner, "I will if you will", meaning that he is willing to put in the effort and make sacrifices to keep their love alive, but he needs her to do the same. He acknowledges that love can be difficult and that there will be times when they will need to be strong to keep it going, but he is willing to do it if she will join him.
Overall, the song draws attention to the fact that although love may be more complicated in the modern world, it is still a valuable and worthwhile endeavor that is worth fighting for. The singer's commitment to his partner and his belief in the power of love to endure and overcome challenges make this a touching and uplifting anthem for anyone who believes in the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time
In the past, there were instances of love that lasted forever
People fell in love
Individuals used to develop feelings for each other
And they stayed in love
They remained committed to each other over time
It never crossed their mind
The thought of separating never occurred to them
Not to see it through
They were determined to stick to their vows
When they said I do
When they got married
This modern world changes so fast
The present-day is rapidly evolving
Hearts break apart
Relationships don't last forever
Like they're made out of glass
Broken hearts are fragile
It's getting hard to believe
People find it challenging to have faith in long-lasting love
In love that can last
In the possibility of enduring love
I will if you will
If you make an effort, so will I
Once in every life
Once in a lifetime
Someone comes along
Someone special enters your life
Like you've come along
Like you have entered my life now
And it would be so nice
It would be amazing
If this happiness
If this joyfulness/satisfaction
Could go on and on
Could last forever
But in this modern world, troubles come by
In the modern times, challenges arise
People let go the first tear they cry
Individuals give up easily
Someone has to be strong
It requires strength from someone
To keep love alive
To maintain a loving relationship
Let's give it a try
We should attempt it
Let's do it or die
Let's do it or face the consequences of trying
I will if you will
If you agree to commit, so will I
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN BARLOW JARVIS, RANDY GOODRUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind