At 17, Joy and her family moved from Mississippi to Memphis, and it has since been her home. Shortly after relocating, her older sister let her tag along to the Lilith Fair women’s music festival in Nashville. Joy remembers,
The whole trip was amazing! I had always loved music, but not until that night did I realize how much a part of me it was. The last performer was Sarah McLachlan. When she stepped out of the darkness into a single beam of light, the most beautiful sound came out of her mouth. Tears immediately formed in my eyes. I was mesmerized ... paralyzed. Every word, every note, every stroke of her guitar awakened something inside of me.
Inspired by such a captivating performance, Joy was determined to learn how to play the guitar. Although she had never played one in her life, Joy called her parents the next day and asked them to help her buy one. They went down to Strings & Things, bought a cheap Fender acoustic--which she still has and loves—and began her life as a musician. She recalls, “I started watching other player's hands and tried to mimic what I saw. Most of my learning was just practice and finding chords and then remembering where they were. I still can't read music. I play by ear...and heart.”
At age 20, Joy began performing in a local cover band called Krysalis which developed a small--but faithful--following. She also began experimenting with many things, including drugs. Although her dad was a preacher and she knew about God, she recalls,
"I realize now that my understanding of Him was all wrong. I had no clue who He really was...and is. I actually never gave Him any thought through the majority of my life, until last year, on April 4th. For some reason, a few months prior to that day in April, I became somewhat aware of sin and sin in my life. I became convicted, which was foreign to me. I was scared and I didn't understand what was happening. My mother came for a visit about that time and convinced me to see 'The Passion of the Christ' with her. I had no desire to see it. I knew this wasn't a movie for enjoyment, so to speak. But something inside me would not let me back out. So I went. I had no idea what was about to happen to me. No idea that in just a few moments, I would meet that same Christ. And I did...right there in the theater...curled in my seat...Heaven opened and let me in. Imagine that!"
Joy soon began attending a large and vibrant fellowship of young Christians at the High Point Church in Memphis. There, she was befriended by Ardent Records artist Todd Agnew, who began to mentor her both musically and spiritually. Todd was impressed with her talent and testimony, and asked her to make a couple of guest appearances on his recent project, “Reflection of Something.” The record label was also impressed with Joy and invited her into their studio to begin recording her own songs. “The Fake EP” is her first offering of five self-penned tunes that honestly chronicle her struggle with faith and her self-discovery in Christ:
"I want people to know that pain is not working against us. It brings us closer to the One who knows pain better than anyone else-Jesus Christ. He understands and hurts right along with us. When we are persecuted, He is persecuted. When we cry, He cries. And when we laugh...He laughs too. He goes through life with us and in us. And our life’s struggles and heartaches only remind us that we are not alone. They show us that if we fall, He will fall with us. He will not let us go alone. He will not let us go...."
Joy’s vision is to communicate hope within struggle, faith despite fear, and art that’s not simply propaganda. A true study in contrasts, Joy Whitlock is anything but “Fake.”
Don't Look Down
Joy Whitlock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you got the stomach for this
Come on dig deep
What have you got left to lose
Tragedy is half the fight
Are you willing to lose your life
Come on let it bleed
‘Cause I know you’ve been here before
I’ve seen your scars
The price it’s too high
What if you fall again
Then I’ll fall too
Straighten up
Eyes ahead
Look for me
You don’t have to be scared
Don’t be scared
Don’t look down
Regret has pierced your heart
Gravity has left its mark
But I’m playing for keeps
Even death can’t do us part
The lyrics to Joy Whitlock's song "Don't Look Down" paint a picture of someone facing their fears and doubts, with a sense of urgency and high stakes. The lyrics implore the listener to push themselves beyond their limits, despite the risk of failure and potential consequences. The first verse asks if this could be the listener's best work yet, but questions whether they have the courage and grit to see it through. The second verse speaks to the struggle of life's tragedies and the cost of taking risks. The chorus encourages the listener to keep their eyes focused and not to be afraid, with the assurance that they are not alone and someone has their back.
The bridge acknowledges the hurt and wounds that the listener has experienced, but also declares that they are playing for keeps and even death cannot separate them from their purpose. The metaphor of not looking down evokes the idea of keeping one's head up and not letting fear and doubt take over.
Line by Line Meaning
This could be your best work yet
Encouragement to give your best shot for a successful outcome
Have you got the stomach for this
Asking if you're brave enough to overcome the challenge
Come on dig deep
Asking to look within yourself to find the strength to succeed
What have you got left to lose
Encouragement to take a risk as there's nothing else to lose
Tragedy is half the fight
Implies that suffering leads to greater strength
Are you willing to lose your life
Asks if you're willing to sacrifice everything to succeed
Come on let it bleed
Asks to let go of fear and let the pain fuel your determination
There’s nothing you can hide from me
Expresses understanding and support from someone who knows and accepts you completely
‘Cause I know you’ve been here before
Acknowledges the past experiences and struggles that have led to this point
I’ve seen your scars
Recognizes the emotional and physical wounds that have been endured
The price it’s too high
Acknowledges the risk and cost of the challenge ahead
What if you fall again
Asks if the fear of failure will stop you from trying again
Then I’ll fall too
Promises support and to face the same risks and consequences together
Straighten up
Encourages to stand tall and face the challenge head-on
Eyes ahead
Focus on the goal and don't be distracted by fear or uncertainty
Look for me
Assures that support and encouragement is present
You don’t have to be scared
Promises that fear is not a necessary or helpful emotion
Don’t be scared
Reiterates the idea that fear does not help the situation
Don’t look down
Advice to keep looking forward and not let fear or doubt stop you
Regret has pierced your heart
Acknowledges the pain of past failures or mistakes
Gravity has left its mark
Signifies the weight of past failures or the difficulty of the present challenge
But I’m playing for keeps
Expresses determination and commitment to the cause
Even death can’t do us part
Assures that no obstacle, not even death, can separate us from the commitment and support for each other
Contributed by Jacob E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.