A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he was raised by his aunt, Gertrude Franklin. He developed a talent for music early, playing the piano at age four and becoming music director of his church at age eleven. After getting kicked out of school in his teenaged years, having a girlfriend become pregnant, and after a friend was shot to death he returned to the church. After leading the DFW Mass Choir at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, he organized "The Family", a seventeen-voice choir, in 1992 and began his recording career.
He has integrated hip hop styles with gospel themes in albums such as The Nu Nation Project and God's Property, which achieved success on the Billboard Pop Album, R&B and gospel charts.
Franklin has collaborated with the biggest names in gospel music, including Tonex, Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Crystal Lewis, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jaci Valesquez, and Willie Neal Johnson. He also has displayed a willingness to collaborate with artists in the secular realm, including Bono, Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, and R Kelly in the hit single, "Lean on Me."
On October 4, 2005, his new long-awaited album Hero was released, with latest single Looking for You.
Franklin's songs are published by Zomba Music Publishing, a division of BMG Music Publishing.
Sunshine
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To warm my life up
[Chorus]
(You bring the sun out)
You're the reason that I'm living, I was hurting but I'm happy again
(You bring the sun out)
I was hurting but I'm happy again
Lord I wanna thank You 'cause
(You bring the sun out, to make my love grow, you bring the sun out)
You were there when I had nothing
You've been with me from beginning to end
(You bring the sun out)
No clouds in the sky, that's the reason why
(I Love You)
Question number one (What can I do)
Question number two (What can I say)
To try to let You know (I appreciate, all of the ways You get me through my day)
Never would have thought (I would be here)
A heart with no scars (a face with no tears)
How can I thank You (how can I show You)
(Wish I could get the whole world to know You)
If they only knew (You are the one that gives me the air to breathe)
And see I can't deny that (You're the reason why my life has a melody)
And even when I stray (I still feel your grace pulling me close to You)
So no matter where You are, just know I'm not far (without You what would I do)
[Chorus]
Question number three (where would I be)
And Lord not only that but (how could You see)
My days and my nights, the pains of my life
But now it's alright ('cause You worked it out for me)
You gave me a chance (when I had no chance)
When I needed help (You gave me your hand)
So now they need to see (just what You mean to me and if You ever left me (where would I be)
[Chorus: x2]
I feel the sunlight on my life reminding me that it is alright
And I see the rainbow and I know my storm is finally passed away
There is a soft wind that begins to blow back the clouds
So I can see your perfect plan now I can hurry to my destiny
In Kirk Franklin's song "Sunshine," the lyrics express gratitude towards the Lord for bringing light into the artist's life. The song begins by discussing the sun, which is used as a metaphor for the positive things that bring warmth into our lives. Kirk Franklin appears to be using the sun as a symbol for the love that God brings into our lives, which grows and warms our hearts just as the sun warms our bodies. The chorus repeats this sentiment, with the artist expressing gratitude towards the Lord for being the reason he is happy again.
The second verse focuses more explicitly on the experiences of the artist's life, and how the Lord's grace has impacted him. The lyrics discuss how the Lord has been with him from the beginning to the end, and has given him the strength to face the challenges of his life. The artist expresses his wish that the whole world could know the love and grace of God, just as he does.
In the final verse, the lyrics become even more personal and emotional, as the artist reflects on just how much the Lord has done for him. He expresses his gratitude for the second chance that God gave him when he had no chance, and how the Lord has helped him through the pain of life. The song ends with the artist feeling the sunshine on his life, seeing a rainbow after a storm, and hurrying towards his destiny, which appears to be a positive, faith-filled future.
Line by Line Meaning
You bring the sun out to make my love grow
You help me become better and more loving each day
To warm my life up
To make my life more pleasant and joyful
You're the reason that I'm living, I was hurting but I'm happy again
You give me purpose and joy, and healed my pain
Lord I wanna thank You 'cause
I am grateful to you, Lord
You were there when I had nothing
You were always with me, even in my lowest moments
You've been with me from beginning to end
You are always there for me, from the start to the end
No clouds in the sky, that's the reason why (I Love You)
I am glad and grateful for the things going well in my life, which are all thanks to you
Question number one (What can I do)
I am wondering what I can do to express my gratitude to you
Question number two (What can I say)
I am wondering what I can say to thank you adequately
Never would have thought (I would be here)
I never expected to be in this good place in my life
A heart with no scars (a face with no tears)
I have no emotional baggage and feel happy
How can I thank You (how can I show You)
I wonder how I can repay you for all you have done for me
Wish I could get the whole world to know You
I wish everyone could experience and know your greatness and generosity
If they only knew (You are the one that gives me the air to breathe)
If people only knew how much you help and sustain me
And see I can't deny that (You're the reason why my life has a melody)
I can't help but acknowledge that you are the one brightening my life and giving it meaning
And even when I stray (I still feel your grace pulling me close to You)
Even when I make mistakes, I still feel your love guiding me back
So no matter where You are, just know I'm not far (without You what would I do)
I am always close to you, and I don't know what I would do without your love and support
Question number three (where would I be)
I am wondering where I would be without you in my life
And Lord not only that but (how could You see)
I also wonder how you are able to see and understand everything
My days and my nights, the pains of my life
You are always there to comfort me, day and night
But now it's alright ('cause You worked it out for me)
But things are okay now because you have helped me overcome my struggles
You gave me a chance (when I had no chance)
You gave me an opportunity when I was hopeless
When I needed help (You gave me your hand)
You offered me help when I needed it most
So now they need to see (just what You mean to me, and if You ever left me (where would I be)
Now, I want others to know the depth of your impact on my life, and to acknowledge that without you, I would be lost
I feel the sunlight on my life reminding me that it is alright
I feel your shining light on my life, and it reassures me that everything is okay
And I see the rainbow and I know my storm is finally passed away
I see the rainbow, and it tells me that my struggles are behind me
There is a soft wind that begins to blow back the clouds
Things are starting to get better, and obstacles are clearing away
So I can see your perfect plan now I can hurry to my destiny
I can now clearly see the perfect path you have set for me, and I can strive to fulfill my destiny with confidence
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: D.J., JR. ROGERS, KIRK FRANKLIN, JESSY D. DIXON, TOM SNOW, ERNIE GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Conika Yates
on Something About the Name Jesus
When i heard this song something just comes over me, i just cant explain it, but i has a wonderful feeling to it. i just love it. It's just something about the name Jesus....