After finishing high school, Kem dealt with homelessness, addiction, and isolation from his family. He did not overcome these issues until he turned to spirituality and music, as he has said, "My career didn't take off until I connected with my spirituality. That's why I take time on stage and on the album to administer spirituality to people. That's one of the things that I am most proud of." He has also stated that he does not create music marketed to the mainstream hip-hop-dominated R&B crowd but to people who enjoy his soul/jazz adult contemporary sound and lyrical content. He wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry, by singing in a wedding band and waiting tables. He was later signed by Motown Records, who re-released the album on February 25, 2003. The album's first single, "Love Calls", became a hit at urban adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio. He followed his debut release with a sophomore album, Album II, released May 17, 2005. It included the hit single "I Can't Stop Loving You", a #1 at urban adult contemporary radio, and the song "You Might Win" featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica.
What Christmas Means
Kem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To heal the broken heart of men
Who would rise hunger and thirst
A kind of love that never ends
Love that glows love that shines
Love that spends the test of time
I hope you find what Christmas means
Love that steals the hearts of kings
I hope you find what Christmas means
Who would rise and dare to believe
This paradise of hope and peace
Who would rise faithful and free
This kind of love will never cease
Love that fills you love that floats
Love that burns until it grows
I hope you find what Christmas means
Love that dreams love that moves
Love that nurtures every wound
I hope you find what Christmas means
Love
Love
Love
Love
I hope you find what Christmas means
Who would rise so all the world could see
This holiness in you and me
Who would rise truly thankful to be
All the love you'll ever need
Love that stays love that cries
Love that yearns the human kind
I hope you find what Christmas means
Love that's tender warm and true
Love that's made for me and you
I hope you find what Christmas means
Love that sees love that knows
Love that never let's you go
Love that sound love that's grand
Love that always understand
Love that's sacred love that chose
Love that's precious to be hold
Love that's patient love that's kind
Love that seeks until it finds
Love that maze love that's shore
Love that brings my heart to yours
Love that's grateful strong and wise
Love that reads between the lines
Love that's fray love that's sweet
Love that's always yours to keep
Love that leave you wanting more
Love that's all we're looking for
Love explores the reason why
Love that pressed your lips to mine
Love that always lets you win
Love that makes you call again
Love that glows love that shines
Love that spends the test of time
Love that lasts love that sings
Love that steals the hearts of kings
Love that fills you love that floats
Love that burns until it grows
Love that dreams love that moves
Love that nurtures every wound
Love that sees love that knows
Love that never let's you go
Love that sound love that's grand
Love that always understand
The lyrics to Kem's song "What Christmas Means" seem to focus on the idea of love - the kind of love that endures and lasts forever. The song asks questions about who would "rise" to bring this kind of love to the world, and describes it as a "paradise of hope and peace." Love that fills you, love that burns until it grows, love that nurtures every wound - these are just a few of the descriptions that suggest a love that is all-consuming and powerful enough to heal even the most broken of hearts.
Throughout the song, it becomes clear that the love being described is closely tied to the holiday season, as the lyrics encourage the listener to "find what Christmas means" through the kind of love that the song describes. The repeated refrain of "love" suggests that this is the central theme of the song, and that all of the other lyrics are meant to convey different aspects of what love can look like.
Overall, "What Christmas Means" seems to be a song about the power of love to transform and heal, both during the holiday season and beyond. The song's gentle melody and Kem's smooth voice make it an uplifting and hopeful addition to any Christmas playlist.
Line by Line Meaning
Who would rise in all of the earth
Who would come and make a difference in the world
To heal the broken heart of men
To help those who are emotionally hurt
Who would rise hunger and thirst
Who would be passionate and devoted
A kind of love that never ends
A love that is eternal
I hope you find what Christmas means
I hope you discover the true essence of Christmas
Love that lasts love that sings
Love that endures and expresses itself joyfully
Love that steals the hearts of kings
A love so powerful that even the most powerful people are moved by it
Who would rise and dare to believe
Who would have the courage to trust and have faith
This paradise of hope and peace
This ideal world of optimism and harmony
Who would rise faithful and free
Who would be committed and liberated
This kind of love will never cease
This love will never fade away
Love that fills you love that floats
Love that satisfies and uplifts you
Love that burns until it grows
Love that ignites and increases
Love that dreams love that moves
Love that imagines and motivates
Love that nurtures every wound
Love that cares for every injury
Who would rise so all the world could see
Who would stand up and be visible to everyone
This holiness in you and me
This sacredness that exists within us
Who would rise truly thankful to be
Who would be genuinely appreciative
All the love you'll ever need
All the love that is necessary for you
Love that stays love that cries
Love that endures and expresses its emotions
Love that yearns the human kind
Love that desires to connect with humanity
Love that's tender warm and true
Love that is gentle, affectionate, and authentic
Love that's made for me and you
Love that is designed for both of us
Love that's sacred love that chose
Love that is holy and intentional
Love that's precious to be hold
Love that is valuable and worth keeping
Love that's patient love that's kind
Love that is enduring and benevolent
Love that seeks until it finds
Love that pursues until it discovers
Love that maze love that's shore
Love that is mysterious and comforting
Love that brings my heart to yours
Love that connects our hearts
Love that's grateful strong and wise
Love that is appreciative, robust, and knowledgeable
Love that reads between the lines
Love that understands more than what is said
Love that's fray love that's sweet
Love that is raw and tender
Love that's always yours to keep
Love that belongs to you forever
Love that leave you wanting more
Love that makes you crave for more
Love that's all we're looking for
Love that is the only thing we want
Love explores the reason why
Love investigates the cause
Love that pressed your lips to mine
Love that brought us together
Love that always lets you win
Love that does not mind losing for your sake
Love that makes you call again
Love that makes you want to connect again
Love that sound love that's grand
Love that resonates and is magnificent
Love that always understand
Love that always comprehends
Love that sees love that knows
Love that perceives and comprehends
Love that never let's you go
Love that never abandons you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KIM L. OWENS, MELANIE SHAREE RUTHERFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind