Heart ...
One of the most important … Read Full Bio ↴From www.johnmcvey.com:
Heart ...
One of the most important things in music (and in life) is heart ... John McVey has that in spades. As a singer/songwriter, John has won national awards and thoroughly entertained audiences and listeners all over the world. His songwriting craft is recognized as among the best in the acoustic music world. His rhythmic guitar playing and soulful voice extract every possible bit of meaning from a song. Now he has added producer and engineer to his list of talents. In this realm he's as comfortable and innovative as on stage. And his heart comes through there as well.
The Artist ...
John McVey has been a performer most of his life. He's toured widely in this and several other countries. He's released two CDs. He's shared stages with Jonatha Brooke, Shawn Mullens, Ricky Lee Jones, Arlo Guthrie, Vince Gill and many more. He's won the Kerrville “New Folk” Contest and has been a finalist in every other one he entered. He's been named The National Academy of Songwriters “Artist Of The Year.” He's appeared on many TV and radio shows. He's been featured in The Performing Songwriter Magazine and reviewed (favorably!) by Rolling Stone. He's given his time and his music to national charities like Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Make A Wish, and local charities like Grand Rapids MI's God's Kitchen and Kids Food Basket programs. He is heavily influenced by The Beatles, Crosby, Stills and Nash, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell. But also by many Motown artists, like Sly Stone, Jazz artists like Bird, Earl Klugh and Pat Matheny, and rockers like Jimi Hendrix and Van Morrison. He reads a lot. He is an art enthusiast. He loves wine.
The Producer/Engineer ...
John has recently settled in Boulder, CO. He works full time as a producer/engineer at Coupe Studios. Given that he's spent most of his life on the business end of a microphone (and still does regularly, both live and in the studio), he is now positioned perfectly to contribute to his artist clients. As a writer, he is a student of what makes a song work. As a music enthusiast, he is a student of sonic excellence. As a student of sound, he's technician and ‘gear slut.' As a player and singer, he is a student of accuracy and soulful expression. As a student of all of these things, he is able to bring his vast experience to each project in such a way as to get the most out of every performance, every instrument, and every piece of equipment. He loves his work.
The Writer ...
To find out what all the hoo-ha is about, just listen to his songs. But it doesn't end there. If you want to sell something, hire him as a commercial writer. He's written and produced commercial music for The US Ski Team, Dish Network, The Idaho Lottery, Foundation for a Better Life, and many more. In addition, he's written many songs for other artists and for many people for life events (wedding anniversaries, children, parents, etc.) that have moved their recipients beyond any other gift they could have received.
The Man ...
Heart ... that's truly the beginning and the end. John will bring it to any project, performance, event, song, recording and relationship in which he's involved. The work is important, challenging, fun and wonderful. The heart is imperative.
I'll Be
John McVey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With all of my resevations where would I begin
Whispering from his wheelchair fighting hard to say
"I've waited here a long time; what will we do today?"
I'll be your hands I'll be your feet
I'll be whatever you need
You"ll that ray of light and hope
We'll pick up all the pieces
When the world falls apart
I can help with what I have
Will (and) you can help me with my heart
I hardly even noticed an hour turned to three
Time had burned the boundaries enough for me to see
I was blinded by my own fears 'til finally clued in
And I knew he did not need me as much as I did him
I'll be your hands I'll be your feet
I'll be whatever you need
You"ll that ray of light and hope
When I can't see
We'll pick up all the pieces
When the world falls apart
I can help with what I have
Will (and) you can help me with my heart
And if I ever get the chance to see his smile again
I hope that it's in heaven and I hope that I fit in
The song "I'll Be" by John McVey is a touching tribute to the virtue of helping others selflessly, especially those who are less fortunate. "Blessed are the meek," croons the singer, as he enters a room with "all of my reservations", wondering where to begin. He immediately encounters a man in a wheelchair, who is using all his might to say, "I've waited here a long time; what will we do today?" The singer resolves to be whatever the man needs, to be his hands, his feet, and anything else he may require. He recognizes that the man is a ray of light and hope, especially when the singer himself is feeling lost.
As time passes - "I hardly even noticed an hour turned to three" - the singer realizes that he has been truly enriched by this experience. He had been "blinded by [his] own fears" before he met the man, but now he has been awakened to the fact that he needs the man as much, if not more, than the man needs him. Together, they can "pick up all the pieces when the world falls apart", and help each other with what they have. The singer's only wish is to see the man's smile again, even if it is in heaven, and to feel that he fits in.
The song is a beautiful tribute to the value of kindness, empathy, and humanity. It reminds us of the importance of being kind to one another, and of recognizing that we all have something to offer, no matter how small. We are all human, and we all need to help each other out, especially in times of need.
Line by Line Meaning
Blessed are the meek I told myself as I walked in
I reminded myself of the value of humility as I entered the place
With all of my reservations where would I begin
I had doubts and hesitations about my ability to help
Whispering from his wheelchair fighting hard to say
From his wheelchair, he struggled to speak softly
"I've waited here a long time; what will we do today?"
He had been waiting for a long time and wondered how we could spend the day
I'll be your hands I'll be your feet
I will help you in any way I can
I'll be whatever you need
I will adapt to your needs and requirements
You'll be that ray of light and hope
You will be a source of inspiration and optimism
When I can't see
When I am lost and doubtful
We'll pick up all the pieces
Together, we will recover from any setback
When the world falls apart
When everything seems to crumble
I can help with what I have
I will offer all the resources and skills I have available
Will (and) you can help me with my heart
And you can give me the emotional support and strength I need
I hardly even noticed an hour turned to three
Time passed quickly as I got engrossed in our conversation
Time had burned the boundaries enough for me to see
The experience had broadened my perspective and helped me overcome my limitations
I was blinded by my own fears 'til finally clued in
I was too scared and ignorant to see the beauty and wisdom around me
And I knew he did not need me as much as I did him
Despite my intentions to help, I realized that I gained more from the encounter than he did
And if I ever get the chance to see his smile again
If I have another opportunity to meet him
I hope that it's in heaven and I hope that I fit in
I wish to see him again in the afterlife and aspire to deserve a place in his company
Writer(s): jim funk, greg simpson
Contributed by Connor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Suh Rodrigues
Essa toca demais, amo demais essa letra!
Aries-Seventh Seal
👑😇👑💕💫🌟🌞
Chelsea McMurdo
Ummm, it’s a nice song and all but aren’t Mormons anti-gay?
This song totally sounds like the singer fell in love with the guy in the wheelchair, they talked for hours, and now they hope to find each other again when they die. Sooooo….yah. Gay EFY song.
I remember this song from EFY when I was a kid, them making us dance with disabled adults to this song was awkward.
Thanks for the chuckle
III.
It is a song for a brother or best friend. Everything is fellowship and charity.