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.
Without You
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Write a melody so sweet, make a tear turn into a smile
I can see the color of spring I can even feel the weather change
And soon the leaves fall and winter calls,
'Cause nothing ever stays the same
When I think of where I've been, what I've done and all I own
How I think I know everything, like I made it here on my own
And like the wind that blows, like a flower that grows
(Without You) life's a song with no end
Without You, like having a heart that won't mend
Without You, we're just actors on a stage
Like a child who's lost his way
Wouldn't be here today without You
I admit that sometimes pride tries to hide my view
And even this gift that you gave me, I forget it's for You
And all the many days and many ways Your grace I've abused
Still you were patient and Your love loved me through
But the wind still blows and the flower still grows and one thing is still true.
(Without You) life's a song with no end
Without You, like having a heart that won't mend
Without You, we're just actors on a stage
Like a child who's lost his way
Wouldn't be here today without You
(Without You) life's a wound that won't heal
Without You, nothing in this world is for real
Without You, we're just actors on a stage
Like a child who's lost his way
Wouldn't be here today without You
Can't live, can't see Your will for me
Can't do anything
Anything
(Without You) life's a song with no end
Without You, like having a heart that won't mend
Without You, we're just actors on a stage
Like a child who's lost his way
Wouldn't be here today without You
(Without You) life's a wound that won't heal
Without You, nothing in this world is for real
Without You, we're just actors on a stage
Like a child who's lost his way
Wouldn't be here today without You
Without You, we're like a bride with no groom
Without You, it's like seeing no sunshine in June
Without You, we're just actors on a stage
Like a child who's lost his way
We wouldn't be here today
Without You, Jesus my life would be lost.
Without You, I'll never know what it cost
To see You, lay Your life down for me
From my past now I'm free
Tell me where would I be without You.
Tell me where would I be without You
Wouldn't be here today without You
Wouldn't be here today without You
I can take a plane high up in the sky and fly for a million miles
The song "Without You" by Kirk Franklin talks about the greatness of God and how much we need Him in our lives. The song begins by stating all the things that a person can do on their own - flying a plane, writing sweet melodies, feeling the weather change, and experiencing the colors of spring. However, the singer acknowledges that everything in life changes, and we cannot control everything no matter how capable we are. The singer then reflects on their life journey and how, at times, they forget that their talent and success are gifts from God. Pride sometimes blinds them, but God's grace and patience continue to guide them.
The chorus emphasizes the message that life has no meaning or purpose without God. We are just actors on a stage and our lives would be lost without Him. The song further emphasizes how much we need God by comparing our relationship with Him to a bride with no groom and seeing no sunshine in June, emphasizing how much we need Him to complete us and make our lives brighter. The final section of the song concludes by saying that our past no longer defines us because of God's love and grace.
Overall, "Without You" is a song that reminds us of our dependence on God and how He brings meaning and purpose to our lives, even in the midst of changing circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I can take a plane high up in the sky and fly for a million miles
Even with all my abilities and skills, I cannot escape the need for God's presence and guidance in my life.
Write a melody so sweet, make a tear turn into a smile
Through my music, I can bring joy and comfort, but it's still not enough without God.
I can see the color of spring I can even feel the weather change
I can witness the beauty of creation, but I still need God to guide me through the changing seasons of life.
And soon the leaves fall and winter calls, 'Cause nothing ever stays the same
Life is full of changes and uncertainties. I need God to keep me grounded and provide stability.
When I think of where I've been, what I've done and all I own
Reflecting on my accomplishments and possessions, I can easily become prideful and forget my dependence on God.
How I think I know everything, like I made it here on my own
It's easy to forget that all my achievements are because of God's grace and guidance.
And like the wind that blows, like a flower that grows
Life goes on and things change, but God's love and presence remain constant.
(Without You) life's a song with no end
Without God, life is meaningless and lacks purpose or direction.
Without You, like having a heart that won't mend
Without God, there is no healing from the brokenness and pain of life.
Without You, we're just actors on a stage
Without God, life is like a performance without an audience or a purpose.
Like a child who's lost his way
Without God, we are lost and directionless like a child who has wandered off.
Wouldn't be here today without You
Acknowledging that everything I have and am is because of God's love and grace.
I admit that sometimes pride tries to hide my view
Confessing that my own pride and ego can blind me to my need for God's guidance and help.
And even this gift that you gave me, I forget it's for You
Acknowledging that God has given me my gifts and abilities, but I often forget to use them for His glory.
And all the many days and many ways Your grace I've abused
Confessing that despite God's love and grace, I have still made mistakes and sinned against Him.
Still you were patient and Your love loved me through
Grateful for God's patience and love towards me, even when I make mistakes and disobey Him.
Can't live, can't see Your will for me
Without God, I am lost and unable to discern His purpose for my life.
Without You, we're like a bride with no groom
Without God, we are incomplete and lack the fullness of life as a bride without her groom.
Without You, it's like seeing no sunshine in June
Without God, life is dull and lacking the warmth and joy of a sunny day.
Without You, Jesus my life would be lost.
Recognizing that without God and His sacrifice through Jesus, my life would lack any true meaning or purpose.
Without You, I'll never know what it cost
Acknowledging that I can never fully understand the cost of God's sacrifice for me.
To see You, lay Your life down for me
Grateful for God's sacrifice through Jesus laying His life down for me.
From my past now I'm free
Thankful for God's forgiveness and freedom from the mistakes and sins of my past.
Tell me where would I be without You.
Wondering where I would be in life without God's love, grace, and guidance.
Wouldn't be here today without You
Grateful for God's presence and guidance that has brought me to where I am today.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARK RANKIN, NICOLE FRANKLIN
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....