Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Jonathan grew up in the church and began playing drums at his church as a young child. He moved onto playing the organ and singing in the youth choir, inspired by gospel greats such a Kim Burrell, Smokie Norful and Israel Houghton, and even R&B and rock and roll giants like Stevie Wonder, India Arie, John Mayer, and Paul McCartney. But actually, singing was not his forte at the time. “I didn’t like singing back then,” Jonathan admits. “I wasn’t the type of person who was a front man. I was OK with just playing the organ. I wasn’t ready for that criticism of being out in front, and in the spotlight.”
However it was too hard to suppress that great voice and undeniable talent. His mother encouraged him to sing and use the gift that God had given him. So it was in high school that he began to listen to his mom and to God. “In high school you’re looking for an identity, you’re looking for something to separate you from something else, and singing just became my thing. God really had a plan for me.”
In 2007, Jonathan went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Popular Music at Columbia College in Chicago, which allowed him to perfect his vocal skills, master the piano, and study the performance, production, and business side of the music industry. He even set up a small studio in his dorm room, taking the time between classes to write and record music. But it was his junior year in 2009, when his life would be changed forever. He put together a few songs and created a CD called The Very Unofficial EP of Jonathan McReynolds to give as a Christmas gift for his family. “I got a good response from them and also from friends coming in and out of my dorm room who were just hanging out and listening to my stuff.”
Jonathan also posted the music on Facebook and somehow the CD was leaked to the local radio station. “One morning I woke up to 10 missed calls on my cell phone because one of my songs had just been played on the radio. I called into the radio station and the deejay invited me to his church. I went to the church and sold a thousand CDs in one day and things took off from there. I literally woke up and was an artist,” he says. Jonathan then went to Atlanta to for an event with Bishop Paul Morton and Pastor Jerry Parries, the president of Tehillah Music Group/Light Records, and was soon signed to the label after remarkable feedback.
And now there’s Life Music, Jonathan’s amazing debut album which takes listeners on a touching journey through his life experiences and his deep faith and connection to God. In the first single, “I Love You,” which is getting a lot of radio play and generating a lot of buzz, Jonathan proudly praises his savior and thanks him for being such a resounding force in his life, singing, “Just as sure as I know my name/I know one thing that will never change/I love you.” While in the honest and moving “No Gray,” Jonathan discusses the difficulty of navigating both worlds—the secular and the Godly—crooning, “Lord, I’m split in two/part of me loves the world/and the other loves you/so what do I do/I want to be saved but I want to be cool too/.”
According to Jonathan, Life Music is everything he’s truly about. “The album is about being authentic, genuine, pure and transparent. That’s who I am as a person,” he says. “I’m direct, I’m blunt. I’m not giving into clichés or Christian needs. It’s all about living a life that is worship, as opposed to just relegating it to one day—Sunday worship. Life Music is about encouraging people to live their whole lives, as hard as it is sometimes, working on living their lives for God. That’s what my struggle is about and it’s what my message of encouragement is as well. I was able to write, produce, play 85 percent of the instruments and I saw the songs literally from the ground up. It’s like my heart put out on a CD and I hope people hear and understand that it literally comes from heart.”
There’s no question that Jonathan is more than excited about the album, which debuted at #3 on the charts after its fall 2012 release, and ready for whatever is next. “I’m ready for whatever God wants me to do. As long as people can respect me as a man of God, a good musician, a good writer, I’m happy,” he says.
So what is up next? Jonathan just completed a series of online Unplugged-type videos for tracks off of Life Music which is getting a great response on Youtube, and plans on doing a live album next year for Tehillah Music. He is also back in school after receiving his undergrad degree in 2011, to receive a master’s degree in biblical studies.
The Christian music industry now has a young, impressive, multi-talented artist who is not afraid to open up his heart and soul and honestly sing about the ebb and flow of living in Christ. “I feel like God knows who I am. He knows my strengths and weaknesses and he wanted me to do this. What humbles me is that I know this is what God wants to do in this season of my life,” Jonathan says. “I see how it’s affecting other people. I see how it affects youth. I see how it affects young black men like me. He’s giving me the opportunity to shine, to point people to Him."
Movin' On
Jonathan McReynolds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′m closing chapters
I'm turning pages
Glory to glory
From faith to faith
I′m movin' on
I'm movin′ on
I′m getting older
So I'll keep it straight
It hurts to let go, but it
Hurts more to stay
I′m movin' on
I′m movin' on, hey
I'm movin′
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I know my rear view
Can′t compare to
What God will do with my life
And I am forgetting
What's behind me
I have finally decided
I′ll be
Movin' on
I′m movin' on (alright)
I′m movin on
My mother told me
She taught me well
Forget your failures
Forgive yourself
I'm movin' on
I′m movin′ on, hey
I'm movin′ on
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I know my rear view
Can't compare to
What God will do with my life
And I am forgetting
What′s behind me
I have finally decided
I know my rear view
Can't compare to
What God will do with my life
And now I′m forgetting
What's behind me
I have finally decided
I'll be movin′ on
I′m movin' on (yeah)
I′m movin' on (hey)
I′m movin' on
Know that I will be movin′ on
Know I will, I'm movin' on
Forgetting what′s behind me
Focusing on what′s inside me (I'm movin′ on)
Christ the head and I'm just in this body (I′m movin' on)
Never will the love be spotty (I′m movin' on)
I pride myself on bringing light to your parties
Holy Ghost rectify the mind, I'm naughty (I′m movin′ on)
Without ya, it's powder, I′m a dry land (I'm movin′ on)
Without your power I'm a night man (I′m movin' on)
Nothing but trouble saying "Bye man"
Can't have two miles on the die man (I′m movin′ on)
My brother called me I could cry man (I'm movin′ on)
Told me we movin', I′m in God's hands (I′m movin' on)
Yeah (yeah)
Told me we movin', I′m in God′s hands (I'm movin′ on)
Where my movin' truck at? (Gotta go)
(I′m movin' on) told me we movin′, I'm in God's hands
I′m movin′ on
(I'm movin′ on) told me we movin', I′m in God's hands
Told me we movin′, I'm in God's hands
The song "Movin' On" by Jonathan McReynolds talks about the concept of letting go of the past and moving forward in life. The opening lines set the tone for the song as the singer talks about closing chapters and turning pages, implying that he is ready to move on to the next phase of his life. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm movin' on," emphasizing the theme of the song. The singer acknowledges that it may be painful to let go of the past, but he knows that he needs to keep moving forward because that is what God has intended for him.
The second verse mentions the idea of forgetting what is behind and focusing on what is ahead. The singer's mother has taught him to forget his failures and to forgive himself. The bridge reinforces the idea of the past being a distant memory and how it cannot compare to the great things God has planned for the future. The final verse features various references to Biblical concepts such as Christ being the head and the Holy Ghost rectifying the mind. The song ends with the singer saying, "Where my movin' truck at? Gotta go."
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hmm
Starting off with a casual greeting.
I'm closing chapters
I'm ending certain parts of my life that I have already explored.
I'm turning pages
I'm opening up new opportunities and experiences.
Glory to glory
I'm progressing and achieving greater things step by step.
From faith to faith
I'm growing and developing my faith constantly by moving on.
I'm movin' on
I'm psychologically and emotionally ready to move forward.
I'm movin' on
I'm determined to overcome and proceed beyond my past.
I'm movin' on
I'm committed to embracing change and moving forward.
I'm getting older
I'm becoming mature and wise as I grow older.
So I'll keep it straight
I'll be honest and truthful with myself and others.
It hurts to let go, but it
It's emotionally challenging to let go of people, ideas or situations, but it's for the best.
Hurts more to stay
Staying in the past where one doesn't belong is even more painful.
I'm movin' on
I'm committed to moving on even when it hurts.
I'm movin' on, hey
I'm leaving the past behind and progressing forward, with a positive spirit.
My mother told me
My mother has given me some wise advice.
She taught me well
I've been well taught to be self-aware and reflective.
Forget your failures
Don't dwell on past failures and mistakes, learn and move on.
Forgive yourself
Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself for past failures and mistakes.
Know that I will be movin' on
I'm confident that I'm progressing and moving forward in my life.
Know I will, I'm movin' on
I'm certain that I'll never stay in the same place and always be on the move.
Forgetting what's behind me
I'm choosing to let go of my past to move forward.
Focusing on what's inside me (I'm movin' on)
I'm concentrating on my thoughts and feelings to progress confidently.
Christ the head and I'm just in this body (I'm movin' on)
I'm acknowledging that God is guiding my journey and I'm just a part of His plan.
Never will the love be spotty (I'm movin' on)
I'll always maintain my love for God and follow His guidance and will.
I pride myself on bringing light to your parties
I'm happy to bring joy and positivity to people's lives through my music and actions.
Holy Ghost rectify the mind, I'm naughty (I'm movin' on)
I need God to help me purify my thoughts and correct my mistakes.
Without ya, it's powder, I'm a dry land (I'm movin' on)
Without God, my life would be empty and meaningless.
Without your power I'm a night man (I'm movin' on)
Without God's guidance and strength, I would be lost and hopeless in the dark.
Nothing but trouble saying "Bye man"
Negative people or situations hold me back, so it's time to say goodbye.
Can't have two miles on the die man (I'm movin' on)
I need to commit to one path and avoid being indecisive.
My brother called me I could cry man (I'm movin' on)
My sibling gave me some emotional support that meant a lot to me.
Told me we movin', I'm in God's hands (I'm movin' on)
My brother and I are progressing in our lives, trusting God's plan for us.
(I'm movin' on) told me we movin', I'm in God's hands
Moving on, knowing that God will provide.
Where my movin' truck at? (Gotta go)
I'm motivated to keep moving, so I need to find my truck and keep progressing.
Writer(s): Kortney Pollard, Jonathan Mcreynolds, Demetrius Terrell Wilson
Contributed by Brooklyn L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sashadtv6183
[Verse 1: Jonathan McReynolds]
I'm closing chapters
I'm turning pages
Glory to glory
And from faith to favor
[Refrain: Jonathan McReynolds]
I'm moving on
I'm moving on
I'm moving on
[Verse 2: Jonathan McReynolds]
I'm getting older
So I'll keep it straight
It hurts to let go
But it hurts more to stay
[Refrain: Jonathan McReynolds]
I'm moving on
I'm moving on, hey
I'm moving on
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
[Chorus: Jonathan McReynolds]
I know my rearview (Ooh, ooh)
Can't compare to what God will do with my life (Ooh, ooh)
I am forgetting what's behind me (Ooh, ooh)
I have finally decided (Ooh, ooh)
[Refrain: Jonathan McReynolds]
I'll be moving on
I'm moving on
I'm moving on
[Verse 2: Mali Music & Jonathan McReynolds]
My mother taught me
She taught me well
Forget your failures
And forgive yourself
[Refrain: Jonathan McReynolds, Mali Music, Both]
I'm moving on
I'm moving on
I'm moving on
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
[Chorus: Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music]
I know my rearview
Can't compare to what God will do with my life
And I am forgetting what's behind me
I have finally decided
I know my rearview
Can't compare to what God will do with my life (I know He'll do it in my life)
And now I'm forgetting what's behind me
I have finally decided
[Refrain: Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music]
I'll be moving on (Moving)
I'm moving on (Yeah)
I'm moving on (Oh-oh-oh, hey hey hey)
I'm moving on (Know that I will be)
I'm moving on (Know that I will)
I'm moving on (Hey, forgetting what's behind me, focusing on what's inside me)
I'm moving on (Christ the head, and I'm just in this body)
I'm moving on (Never would've loved this body)
I'm moving on (I pride myself on bringing light to Your parties)
I'm moving on (Holy Ghost, You rectify the mind, I'm Naughty)
I'm moving on (Without you,It's powder, I'm a dry land)
I'm moving on (Without Your power, I'm a nightmare)
I'm moving on (Nothing but trouble, saying bye man)
I'm moving on (Can't have too much on the diamond)
I'm moving on (My brother called me, I could cry man)
I'm moving on (Told me we're moving up in God's hands)
I'm moving on (Told me we moving up in God's hands)
I'm moving on (Told me we moving up in God's hands)
I'm moving on (Told me we moving up in God's hands)
[Outro: Mali Music]
Told me we moving up in God's hands
@alvateraferguson720
I'm so happy that at age 33 I finally gave my life to God and I am leaving everything and everyone that was toxic in my life in my rear view. Praises to God, I'm moving on.
@karene3493
Congrats!! 🙌
@CCF10411
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
@kendrahollis7033
Praise God!
@cressiddabreo4709
Praise God! Focus on yourself, do good, help others and put God first. Blessings to you!
@Matlutya
Amen may God bless you ❤🙏🏽
@cottontail2522
I'm a domestic violence survivor...movin' on from the hurt and damage of that experience because I know God will use that night of April 4th for his good. I'm movin' on and trusting in him. Thank you Jehovah Jireh because you are GOOD🔥
@jelicianorwood24
Than years from now you see that you came long way free from abuse.
@bibooufranck9643
Kei D. Blessed be you! Much love and strength from France!
@niknatpattywack4293
Yessss, and no LOOKING BACK. God will open doors as YOU TRUST HIM👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽💖💖💖🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🌻🌻🌻🎊🎊🎊