Then in 2003, he met and began collaborations in Nashville with another solo artist, Ben Kolarcik. They formed Across the Sky (http://www.last.fm/music/Across+The+Sky), who eventually were under consideration by Word Records. Both artists had a history of performance and music ministry in their hometowns and in regional tours. After deciding on becoming a duo act, the pair sat down to work on music together. After composing 50 or so titles, they settled on 12 for their first album. The pair was assisted along the way by such notable Contemporary Christian musicians and writers as Cindy Morgan, Scott Krippayne, Matthew Gerrard, Jeff Borders, Kyle Matthews and Tony Wood.
The self-titled debut was released the same year, spawning a top ten song and three wide release singles. Across the Sky's music was a style combining light rock, pop, and folk. The group toured and recorded for two years under the Word Records Label before disbanding in 2005 when both artists decided to pursue different career paths.
After the disbandment of Across the Sky, Justin moved to Prescott, AZ with his wife and children, and now is a music minister at an alternative style megachurch called The Heights . Unger continues song-writing and composition with a new solo CD titled "Disengage" released on October 30, 2007.
http://www.justinunger.com/
Take Me Back
Justin Unger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can no longer look your way and fake this smile
You let me have my way out here on my own
But I know it hurts You to let me go.
Yes I know it hurts You to let me go.
Take me back to where You are, I'm afraid I've run ahead too far.
I don't wanna move, I don't wanna live without You;
I don't wanna move, I don't wanna live without You.
I don't wanna live without You'
I'm giving up, I'm giving in.
I really don't even know where to begin
I just know without you I'd be chasing the wind
So here I am, hear my cry once again.
I can't run so far that Your arms can't reach me
I can't be so hard that Your touch won't melt me
I can't be so dark that Your light won't free me.
I'm giving up, I'm giving in.
I really don't even know where to begin; where to begin.
Take me back I've lost Your way I
Don't want to move without You
Take me back I've lost Your way I
Don't want to move without You
In "Take Me Back," Justin Unger expresses remorse over straying too far from his faith and asks God to lead him back to the path he once knew. The first stanza is a straightforward indication of his brokenness over falling short of his faith. His fake smile has become too difficult to maintain, and even though God gave him the opportunity to forge his path, Unger feels the pain of being disconnected from God. The chorus amplifies his yearning to go back to the comfort and safety of the spiritual "home" he lost. He knows he's in trouble and that being apart from God has him falling apart. This desire for reuniting with God becomes his driving motivation to surrender his will and ego in order to find his way back Home.
The second stanza appears to be a type of surrender declaration, where he comes to the conclusion that his life is unfulfilling without God by his side, giving up and giving in to God's will. He identifies that the absence of God causes him to wander aimlessly, futilely, like chasing the wind. The third stanza reveals his faith in God's power to save him from his mistakes, assuring him that God is always present and waiting, no matter how far from His embrace he runs. Justin concludes the song by acknowledging that he cannot continue his journey apart from God and begs to be rescued and reintegrated into his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Lend me your ear for a little while
Please hear me out and listen to what I have to say for a brief period of time.
I can no longer look your way and fake this smile
I can't pretend anymore and hide my true feelings from you.
You let me have my way out here on my own
You gave me the freedom to make my own choices and decisions in life.
But I know it hurts You to let me go.
I understand that allowing me to leave your side causes you pain and sadness.
Take me back to where You are, I'm afraid I've run ahead too far.
I want to come back to your embrace because I'm scared that I've gone too far without you.
I don't wanna move, I don't wanna live without You;
I don't want to continue living my life without your presence in it and I don't want to go on without you.
I lost You and I'm falling apart.
I feel like I'm breaking down and unable to function without you in my life.
I'm giving up, I'm giving in.
I'm surrendering and admitting defeat.
I really don't even know where to begin
I'm lost and unsure of how to start making things right again.
I just know without you I'd be chasing the wind
I realize that without you, my efforts and struggles would be pointless and fruitless.
So here I am, hear my cry once again.
I'm reaching out to you and pleading for your help once more.
I can't run so far that Your arms can't reach me
There's nowhere I can go where your love and care won't be able to reach me.
I can't be so hard that Your touch won't melt me
I can't become so calloused that your affectionate touch wouldn't be able to break through and soften me.
I can't be so dark that Your light won't free me.
Even in my darkest moments, the light of your goodness and mercy has the power to set me free.
Take me back I've lost Your way I
Don't want to move without You
I've strayed from your path and I don't want to go on without you. Please bring me back to your side.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Cloud9
Written by: RUSTY VARENKAMP, JASON INGRAM, GEOFF HUNKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind