Gill, the son of a minister, started singing at age five in a family gospel group called "Wings of Faith". His solo career began in 1983 when his childhood friend, singer Stacy Lattisaw convinced him to record a demo. The demo he recorded fell into the hands of the president of Atlantic Records, and his self-titled debut album was released shortly thereafter. Then, Johnny teamed up with Stacy for a duet album, which featured their first together, "Perfect Combination", a second album on Atlantic Records, Chemistry, yielded the song "Half Crazy,".
Gill's big break came in 1987, when he replaced Bobby Brown in New Edition, a 1980s pop group. With Gill as one of the lead singers, the group developed a more mature, adult sound, hitting the charts with songs such as "Can You Stand The Rain," "N.E. Heartbreak," and the Johnny Gill lead "Boys To Men". During a hiatus from New Edition, Johnny embarked on a solo career. The hits from his self entitled 1990 album include "My, My, My," "Rub You the Right Way," "Fairweather Friend" and "Wrap My Body Tight". On this album, Gill played guitar, bass, bongos, and drums in addition to performing his lead and background vocals.
In 1993, Gill released another solo project, Provocative, which included the songs "Quiet Time to Play," "A Cute, Sweet, Love Addiction," and a gospel song, "I Know Where I Stand." In 1996, Gill was reunited with his New Edition bandmates, including Brown, as they recorded Home Again together, an album noted for the singles "Hit Me Off" and "Still In Love". Gill also released Let's Get the Mood Right in 1996, which included the title song, "Love In an Elevator," and "Maybe." The following year, he collaborated with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat to form the supergroup LSG (Levert/Sweat/Gill) which resulted in the multi platinum debut album, Levert-Sweat-Gill, and a follow-up album entitled LSG2.
Gill, the only member of New Edition who is not from Boston, was raised in Washington DC where he attended Kimball Elementary and Sousa Junior High. His career dictated that he complete his high school education through the services of a tutor. Johnny had planned to attend college and pursue a degree in electrical engineering, but his career came first.
His latest recording, "You For Me (The Wedding Song)" from the Madea's Family Reunion Soundtrack received strong reviews from music critics as well as the general public. As of 2006, he is still performing with the group as well as performing solo as part of the Body and Soul Tour, which includes fellow NE members Bell Biv DeVoe.
At the 2011 BET Awards, he announced that he will be releasing a new album, after a 16 year hiatus.
I Know Where I Stand
Johnny Gill Lyrics
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It's crumbling all around me
A place to go
Where I felt safe
In search of help
I fell down on my knees
I pray to lord
Please keep my way
Doors open I've never know
When I ask faith
He'll show me which way to go
When the road gets rough
I've got to stand
Or else I'll fall
In God's creation
I know where I stand
Temptation sings
Its songs are loud and clear
But I won't let my feet stray from this path
Not even for all my heart
I know, I know, I know my mission
Is to walk as light as I can
To keep you looking up
When I'm feeling down
Keep my feet on the ground
Take it step by step and
He'll show me which way to go
My age combines wisdom
Nor sliver of gold
When the road gets rough
I've got to stand
Or else I'll fall
In God's creation
I know where I stand
He'll show me which way to go
My age combines wisdom
Nor sliver of gold
When the road gets rough
I've got to stand
Or else I'll fall
In God's creation
I know where my salvation lies
I know, I know, I know
In God's creation
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
There are some things
That I may not know
Sometimes the hills are hard
Are hard to climb
But I know, I know, I know
Someone who has the plan
When the road gets rough
I've got to stand
Or else I'll fall
In God's creation
I know where I stand
In this song, Johnny Gill sings about his faith and how it helps him navigate through the difficulties and uncertainties of life. He describes the world around him as crumbling, but finds solace in his relationship with God. He believes that through prayer and guidance, God will show him which path to take when he finds himself in unfamiliar territory.
Gill recognizes the presence of temptation and acknowledges the alluring nature of its songs. However, he remains steadfast in his resolve to stay on the path that he believes God has set out for him. He states that his mission is to walk as light as he can and keep others looking up, even in the midst of his own struggles.
The repeated refrain of "When the road gets rough, I've got to stand, or else I'll fall" reminds the listener that standing firm in one's faith is essential to persevering through life's challenges. Gill acknowledges that he doesn't have all the answers and that sometimes the hills are hard to climb, but he places his trust in someone who has "the plan."
Line by Line Meaning
Seen the world
I have experienced everything in the world
It's crumbling all around me
The world is falling apart
A place to go
I need a place where I can feel safe
Where I felt safe
I have found a place where I felt protected
In search of help
I was looking for assistance
I fell down on my knees
I prayed earnestly
I pray to lord
I pray to God
Please keep my way
I ask God to guide me
Doors open I've never know
New opportunities arise
When I ask faith
When I trust in God
He'll show me which way to go
He will direct me towards the right path
When the road gets rough
When life becomes difficult
I've got to stand
I must stand firm in my faith
Or else I'll fall
Otherwise, I'll lose sight of my beliefs
In God's creation
In this world that God created
Temptation sings
I am tempted with desires
Its songs are loud and clear
The temptation is compelling
But I won't let my feet stray from this path
I will not stray from my beliefs
Not even for all my heart
Not even for anything I desire
I know, I know, I know my mission
I am certain of my purpose
Is to walk as light as I can
I aim to be an example in my walk
To keep you looking up
To inspire others to look towards God
When I'm feeling down
Even when my spirits are low
Keep my feet on the ground
To stay grounded and focused
Take it step by step and
To move forward gradually
He'll show me which way to go
God will guide me
My age combines wisdom
My experience gives me wisdom
Nor sliver of gold
Material possessions are not important
I know where my salvation lies
I know that my salvation is with God
There are some things
There are things I may not understand
That I may not know
That are beyond my knowledge
Sometimes the hills are hard
Sometimes life is challenging
Are hard to climb
It is difficult to overcome obstacles
But I know, I know, I know
Still, I am certain
Someone who has the plan
God has a plan
I know where I stand
I am confident in my faith and beliefs
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BILLY O'DELL STEELE, JAMES HARRIS III, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, KARYN L WHITE, TERRY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind