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.
You Make Me Believe
John Berry Lyrics
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Cigarettes elevator stalls between the floors and I'm listening to the cell phones
Beep in time tuggin' at the corners of my mind
CNN karaoke breakdown in communication play to win
Everybody's got their lawyer on the line
Jammin' Russian radar double time tuggin' at the comers of my mind
But when I'm with you I leave the world behind
You're all that I need when I'm losing faith
You make me believe you make me believe
Four o'clock feelin' like I've been awake ten thousand years
Traffic stopped all my imagination used
And I'm driftin' on a daydream that I find painted in the corners of my mind
But when I'm with you...
You lift me up when I think I'm going down
For the count and I feel I've had enough you make me believe
But when I'm with you...
You make me believe you make me believe
John Berry's song "You Make Me Believe" is a combination of the fast-paced and noisy world we live in today and the calming effect of love. He seems to be highlighting how he is caught up in the busy world but still finds solace in his partner. The first verse shows us how noisy the environment is with coffee shops, subway stations, and cell phones beeping. He also mentions how everyone is either playing to win or has their lawyer on the line which indicates how ruthless life can be. Berry then shifts the focus to his partner, implying that when he is with her, he can leave the madness of the world behind. He looks at her eyes and finds himself which is an indication that she helps him feel like himself. During the chorus, he speaks about how his partner makes him believe and lifts him up when he feels down.
The second verse shows us how Berry loses himself in thoughts and daydreams when he is stuck in traffic. He is looking for some solace, and he finds it in the corners of his mind where he has painted this dreamy image. He then shifts his focus back to his partner, indicating that she lifts him up when he is feeling low. The chorus repeats, reiterating the idea that his partner is his strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Coffee shop taxi cabs newsstand and the subway station
The chaos of the city, a place where so much is going on.
Cigarettes elevator stalls between the floors and I'm listening to the cell phones
The overwhelming and bleak environment I experience on a daily basis.
Beep in time tuggin' at the corners of my mind
The things occupying my subconscious, sometimes to the point of distraction.
CNN karaoke breakdown in communication play to win
The world is a noisy and disorienting place, where it's hard to find your footing.
Everybody's got their lawyer on the line
People are always ready to assign blame and seek recompense for their problems.
Jammin' Russian radar double time tuggin' at the corners of my mind
The things I'm trying to avoid - the things I'd like to forget - still nag at me.
But when I'm with you I leave the world behind
Being with you is like taking a break from the chaos of everything else.
And I find myself when I look in your eyes
You have a calming effect on me, and when I'm feeling overwhelmed you help ground me.
You're all that I need when I'm losing faith
When I'm feeling hopeless about the world, you're the only thing that gives me strength.
You make me believe you make me believe
When we're together, I feel like anything is possible.
Four o'clock feelin' like I've been awake ten thousand years
Some days feel never-ending and exhausting.
Traffic stopped all my imagination used
The mundane repetition of everyday life saps my creativity and energy.
And I'm driftin' on a daydream that I find painted in the corners of my mind
I find myself constantly longing for escape.
You lift me up when I think I'm going down
When I'm feeling depressed or hopeless, you help raise me up.
For the count and I feel I've had enough you make me believe
When everything seems overwhelming, your presence helps me find hope and strength to continue.
But when I'm with you...
When we're together, everything else falls away and only you matter.
You make me believe you make me believe
When we're together, I feel like anything is possible.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind