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.
They Need To Know
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Filled it with earthly joys
Like frosty and Rudolph
Even a drummer boy
They need to know that Christ is Christmas
They need to know that Christ is Christmas
Sent down to save the world from sin
That's why he came my friend
They've taken Christ from Christmas
Replaced him with toys and games
The world really needs to know
That's not why he came
They need to know that Christ is Christmas
They need to know that Christ is Christmas
Sent down to save the world from sin
That's why he came my friend
They really need to know
They need to know he came to save the world
Sent down to save every precious boy and girl
Sent down to save the world from sin
That's why he came my friend
They really need to know
The opening lyrics of Kirk Franklin's "They Need To Know" describe a situation that many people can relate to - the commercialization of Christmas. The holiday season has become less about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and more about consumerism and materialism. Many people have replaced the true meaning of Christmas with earthly joys such as presents, decorations, and holiday movies. Franklin is urging listeners to remember that Christmas represents the birth of Jesus Christ, who was sent to save the world from sin. The references to Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the Little Drummer Boy serve as examples of how secular traditions have overshadowed the spiritual significance of the holiday.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of knowing the true meaning of Christmas. By stating "They need to know that Christ is Christmas," Franklin is emphasizing his belief that the holiday should be centered around the birth of Jesus Christ. He also reminds listeners of Jesus' purpose - to save the world from sin. With this message, he is urging his listeners to focus on the spiritual aspects of the holiday season and find the true meaning of Christmas.
Overall, "They Need To Know" is a call to action for Christians to take back the meaning of Christmas from the secular world. By focusing on Jesus Christ and the spiritual aspects of the holiday season, we can honor the true meaning of Christmas and keep it at the forefront of our celebrations.
Line by Line Meaning
They've taken Christ from Christmas
Christ is no longer the focus of Christmas
Filled it with earthly joys
Christmas has become more about material things than celebrating Jesus
Like frosty and Rudolph
Christmas has been commercialized with secular characters
Even a drummer boy
Even the story of the birth of Jesus has been overshadowed by other things
They need to know that Christ is Christmas
The true meaning of Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus
Sent down to save the world from sin
Jesus was sent to Earth to save humanity from the consequences of sin
That's why he came my friend
Jesus' purpose for coming to Earth was to offer salvation
They really need to know
It is important for people to understand the true meaning of Christmas
Replaced him with toys and games
Materialism has taken over the holiday season
The world really needs to know
The current state of the world highlights the importance of the true meaning of Christmas
They need to know he came to save the world
Jesus' mission was to bring salvation to the entire world
Sent down to save every precious boy and girl
Every human life is valuable and worthy of being saved by Jesus
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: DAVID BROWN, GLEN DODD, JASBINDER MANN, TERRY KIRKBRIDGE
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....