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. βI didnβt like singing back then,β Jonathan admits. βI wasnβt the type of person who was a front man. I was OK with just playing the organ. I wasnβt ready for that criticism of being out in front, and in the spotlight.β
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. βIn high school youβre looking for an identity, youβre looking for something to separate you from something else, and singing just became my thing. God really had a plan for me.β
In 2007, Jonathan went on to pursue a bachelorβs 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. βI 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.β
Jonathan also posted the music on Facebook and somehow the CD was leaked to the local radio station. βOne 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,β 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 thereβs Life Music, Jonathanβs 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, βI Love You,β 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, βJust as sure as I know my name/I know one thing that will never change/I love you.β While in the honest and moving βNo Gray,β Jonathan discusses the difficulty of navigating both worldsβthe secular and the Godlyβcrooning, βLord, Iβm 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/.β
According to Jonathan, Life Music is everything heβs truly about. βThe album is about being authentic, genuine, pure and transparent. Thatβs who I am as a person,β he says. βIβm direct, Iβm blunt. Iβm not giving into clichΓ©s or Christian needs. Itβs all about living a life that is worship, as opposed to just relegating it to one dayβSunday 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. Thatβs what my struggle is about and itβs 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. Itβs like my heart put out on a CD and I hope people hear and understand that it literally comes from heart.β
Thereβs 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. βIβm 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, Iβm happy,β 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 masterβs 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. βI 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,β Jonathan says. βI see how itβs affecting other people. I see how it affects youth. I see how it affects young black men like me. Heβs giving me the opportunity to shine, to point people to Him."
Pressure
Jonathan McReynolds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
without be reminded of lack
that I'm alone and broken and unsuccessful
I can't always talk to my friends
Cuz' they've got expectation
that I may or may not be living up to my?
Of the pressure, pressure, pressure
to be someone else
that the world has made
Jesus take from me
all the pressure, pressure, pressure
to be someone else
you did not create
Help me, be me,
and only, see you,
let me decrease
and glorify you
Help me
I thought my intentions were good
just act like a christian should
and hope someone watching would approve of me
Inspite of your word
If you're not feeling my show?
Than how far could I go
before all of my accomplishments
going down in fire
Just because of the
pressure, pressure, pressure
to be someone else the chruch has made
Jesus take from me
all the pressure, pressure, pressure
to be someone else that you did not create
Help me, be me,
and only, see you,
let me decrease
and glorify you
Help me, be me,
and only, see you,
let me decrease
and glorify you
Help me, be me,
and only, see you,
let me decrease
and glorify you
I just wanna live, I just wanna live for you
nobody else but you
I just wanna live, I just wanna live for you
nobody else but you
I just wanna live, I just wanna live for you
nobody else but you
"Pressure" by Jonathan McReynolds is a heartfelt song about the difficulty of feeling like one is living up to others' expectations, specifically in the context of being a Christian. The opening lyrics set the tone for the song, describing the feeling of being constantly reminded of one's own lack, loneliness, and perceived failures. McReynolds touches on the pressure he feels from his friends and the church to be a certain way or fit a certain mold, even if it doesn't align with who he truly is.
As the song progresses, the chorus repeats the plea to Jesus to take away the pressure to be someone else, and for McReynolds to be able to truly see Jesus and glorify Him, rather than striving to meet others' expectations. The bridge speaks to the internal struggle of wanting to do good and be a good Christian, but feeling like even those good intentions can be warped by the pressure to perform or be approved of by others.
Overall, "Pressure" is a powerful message of vulnerability and authenticity, encouraging listeners to let go of the burdens of perceived expectations and simply live for Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't even turn on my phone
I'm constantly reminded of my perceived lack of success even from my phone.
without be reminded of lack
My phone is a constant reminder that I'm not where I want to be in life.
that I'm alone and broken and unsuccessful
My lack of success has left me feeling isolated and inadequate.
I can't always talk to my friends
I feel like I can't be honest with my friends about my struggles.
Cuz' they've got expectation
My friends have certain expectations of me that I'm afraid I'm not living up to.
that I may or may not be living up to my?
I'm unsure if I'm meeting my friends' expectations.
I really need rid myself
I desperately want to be free from the burden of other people's expectations.
Of the pressure, pressure, pressure
This pressure is overwhelming me.
to be someone else
I feel like I'm expected to be someone I'm not.
that the world has made
This pressure is coming from the world around me.
Jesus take from me
I'm turning to Jesus to help me through this.
all the pressure, pressure, pressure
I need Jesus to take away all of the weight that's crushing me.
to be someone else
I don't want to be who others want me to be.
you did not create
I want to be the person that God created me to be.
Help me, be me,
I'm asking for God's help to be myself.
and only, see you,
I want to focus on God's will for my life.
let me decrease
I want to become less self-centered.
and glorify you
I want to glorify God in everything I do.
I thought my intentions were good
I thought I was doing the right thing.
just act like a christian should
I tried to do what I thought was expected of me as a Christian.
and hope someone watching would approve of me
I wanted people to approve of me and my actions.
Inspite of your word
But I now realize that I was neglecting God's word.
If you're not feeling my show?
I'm worried about what will happen if people don't like what they see.
Than how far could I go
I'm questioning how successful I will be if people don't approve of me.
before all of my accomplishments
All of my hard work and achievements will be meaningless.
going down in fire
It will feel like everything is falling apart.
to be someone else the chruch has made
The church has also played a role in making me feel like I need to be someone I'm not.
I just wanna live
All I want is to live my life.
I just wanna live for you
I want to live my life for God, not for other people.
nobody else but you
God is the only one I want to please.
Writer(s): Jonathan McReynolds
Contributed by Christian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
douxle
LYRICS #beblessed #beencouraged
I, I can't even turn on my phone
Without being reminded of the lie
That I am alone and broken, unsuccessful
I, I can't always talk to my friends
'Cause they've got expectations
That I may or may not be living up to
I really need to rid myself
Of the pressure, pressure, pressure
To be someone else that the world has made
Jesus take from me
All the pressure, pressure, pressure
To be someone that you did not create
Help me be me
And only see you
Let me decrease
And glorify you
I, I thought my intentions were good
Just act like a Christian should
And hope someone watching would approve
And be inspired
But you're not feeling my show
Then how far could I go
Before all of my accomplishment
Go down in fire
Just cause of
Of the pressure, pressure, pressure
To be someone else that the church has made
Jesus take from me
All the pressure, pressure, pressure
To be someone that you did not create
Help me be me
And only see you
Let me decrease
And glorify you
( X3 )
I just wanna live
I just wanna live for you
Nobody else, but you
( X6 )
Donna Harrell
Mr. McReynolds, I am here to tell you as a 63yr old Christian woman, you have helped me re-discover the joy of worship! Your voice, your music, the words to your songs are like "sermons" reaching out to the young Christians of today, but really to all of us cause this walk is a journey and no matter our age, we STILL need to MAKE ROOM because of all of the distractions and Pressures we face in the world today! Thank you sir & God bless you!
LaShantell Ugo Williams-Nwanju
I'm always floored by the content of JM's music. He has such a humble spirit. I pray the Lord continues to use him.
Peniel City
amen
Worship & Prayer
I use to be fan but then I heard this masterpiece.. Iβm a full blown air conditioner β€ β
jcanthony16
He is just a breath of fresh air, so refreshing. And his lyricism is so superb. God has truly anointed him
betty dorsey
I am so ever grateful for the vessels God uses to encourage his people.
Nikitha Simpson
I so agree with you
Berline Loredant
One the most anointed singer in his generation.
Muka Ypie
As a musician, having to fight the temptations of using my talents to satisfy a worldly agenda vs. serving and glorifying God- this song is totally relatable. Thank you for allowing God's voice to speak to his angels thru you. May God continue to bless ur ministry and protect it from becoming corrupted by Satan's worldly schemes.
Crystal White
I cannot get enough of this song. Playing it in heavy rotation. Pureness of your voice is amazing. Appreciate your humbleness. Your love for God comes through