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.”
Testify
Joy Whitlock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m afraid of what you will see
I’m finding it hard to believe
That I’m a child of royalty
I know you see through this disguise
Searching in places not seen with the eyes
I’m posing as something I’m not
I point the finger
Testify for me
‘Cause I’ve nothing to say for myself
I’ve wasted your time and held on with all my might
To this losing hand I’ve been dealt
All messed up
With no one to show
‘Cause I burned that bridge with you
Oh a long a long time ago
Now look at these altars I’ve built
See how my pride stands tall
So many lovers fall in line and I
I bow to them all
Testify for me
Nothing seems to last
I’ve wasted my time on this good for nothing wine
That wore off too soon and too fast.
‘Cause I’m still here
And I’m still me
But tomorrow’s not certain
I’ll make one last plea
Now if I should die in my sleep
Something grabs hold of this heartbeat
Whether I struggle or go in peace
All that I ask
Is let it be you that I see
I see
[John 5:31-32]
In "Testify," Joy Whitlock creates a poignant and honest depiction of a person struggling with their identity and past mistakes. The first verse contains the plea of someone feeling unworthy of being seen by their father, afraid of being exposed as a fraud despite coming from a place of privilege. The second verse highlights how they project their insecurities onto others, pointing fingers as a defense mechanism. The chorus expresses a desperate need for someone to testify on their behalf, as they feel they have nothing to say for themselves and have squandered opportunities, relationships, and time. The bridge reveals that the singer has built their own altars, worshiping the wrong things, and now finds themselves alone, with so-called lovers abandoning them.
The third verse reflects a shift in perspective as the singer realizes that they are still here and still themselves, but they have to make a final plea for someone to testify on their behalf. The final lines acknowledge the possibility of death and express a desire to see something or someone familiar in the afterlife. The chosen biblical reference alludes to the importance of not relying solely on one's own testimony and needing others to validate and confirm the truth.
Overall, "Testify" speaks to the universal struggle of finding one's true identity, seeking validation, and dealing with past mistakes. While the lyrics are personal and introspective, they connect with listeners who have faced similar challenges and need reassurance that they are not alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy don’t look at me
I am ashamed of who I am and what you would find if you looked at me.
I’m afraid of what you will see
I fear that you will see my flaws and weaknesses.
I’m finding it hard to believe
It's difficult for me to accept that I am important and valuable.
That I’m a child of royalty
Despite my faults, I am a member of God's royal family.
I know you see through this disguise
You see past the façade that I present to the world.
Searching in places not seen with the eyes
You are able to discern what others cannot see.
I’m posing as something I’m not
I am pretending to be someone other than who I truly am.
I point the finger
Rather than accepting responsibility for my actions, I blame others.
‘Cause it’s all that I’ve got
I have nothing else to offer but excuses.
Testify for me
Please vouch for me and speak on my behalf.
‘Cause I’ve nothing to say for myself
I have no valid defense or justification for my behavior.
I’ve wasted your time and held on with all my might
I have squandered your precious time and refused to let go of my negative habits.
To this losing hand I’ve been dealt
I have been given painful circumstances that I cannot control.
All messed up
I am disorganized and chaotic.
With no one to show
There is no one to support or guide me.
‘Cause I burned that bridge with you
I destroyed the relationship that I had with you.
Oh a long a long time ago
This happened quite some time ago.
Now look at these altars I’ve built
I have set up false idols and priorities in my life.
See how my pride stands tall
I am full of arrogance and self-importance.
So many lovers fall in line and I
I have pursued a multitude of temporary and superficial relationships.
I bow to them all
I give in to their temptations and desires.
Nothing seems to last
Everything in my life is fleeting and temporary.
I’ve wasted my time on this good for nothing wine
I have spent my time indulging in things that provide no benefit.
That wore off too soon and too fast.
The things I relied on for comfort and pleasure never satisfied me for long.
‘Cause I’m still here
Despite my mistakes and shortcomings, I am still alive.
And I’m still me
I am still the same person, with all my flaws and imperfections.
But tomorrow’s not certain
There is no guarantee that I will have another day to make things right.
I’ll make one last plea
I will make a final request or appeal for mercy and forgiveness.
Now if I should die in my sleep
I acknowledge the possibility that I may not wake up.
Something grabs hold of this heartbeat
At that moment, something will take control of my life and fate.
Whether I struggle or go in peace
Regardless of how I lived my life, I will face the end.
All that I ask
My only request is that in that moment...
Is let it be you that I see
...I will see God and find peace and comfort in His presence.
[John 5:31-32]
This song is inspired by the Bible verses from John 5:31-32.
Contributed by Arianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.