LOVE LETTERS, finds the Canadian vocalist putting a contemporary spin on the Gospel genre, blending the smooth R/B styling of Toni Braxton with the modern edge of Destiny's Child. Londa distinguishes herself from those Pop-world divas, with an energizing message of a faith that can overcome life's most horrendous trials. It's a message she delivers with unusual conviction, because it's one she has already lived.
"My music is for everybody and my message is for everybody," Londa asserts. "I don't want to leave anybody out. I want people to know that God hears everything, and He is there for them. He feels what we're feeling. I believe He cries when we're crying. I know He was crying with me. And He is there to comfort you."
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, to Jamaican parents, Ethan and Evan, Londa's childhood was filled with Gospel music. Her church deacon father is also a musician and singer, while two out of her three brothers all sing and/or play instruments. Not surprisingly, family devotion time in the Larmond household was a musical affair, with everyone singing and playing.
The one rule, she recalls, concerned the type of music played on the family stereo: "It had to be Gospel," she laughs. "Richard Smallwood, Commissioned, or the Clark Sisters! But you know what I played in my room? Hip-hop, Reggae and R/B. I shouldn't have, but I did!" Londa was singing in church at the age of 7, and began performing professionally at 14 as a featured member of Toronto's renowned Youth Outreach Mass Choir. From there she honed her musical chops as a member of the Gospel Soul Sisters, before joining the internationally acclaimed Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale in 1995.
Londa's escapades with Faith Chorale led to an appearance in the blockbuster film, The Blues Brothers 2000. Under the direction of John Landis, Londa not only performed in the film, but also recorded on the Grammy nominated, Certified Gold (U.S.), soundtrack with Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, James Brown, Sam Moore, Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Isaac Hayes, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton.
LOVE LETTERS is a jubilant collection, offering encouragement and hope in the face of despair. Produced by such industry heavyweights as Michael-Anthony "Mooki" Taylor (Stacy Orrico, DC Talk, TobyMac, TD Jakes) Asaph "Alex" Ward (Kim Burrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole), Sanchez Harley (Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker) and Montrel Darrett, the 10-song project showcases Londa's stunning vocal range.
Recently, Londa's debut album "Love Letters" has been acknowledged by international critics and consumers and her list of award credits continues to grow. A winner of the Canadian Urban Music Awards for Best Gospel Recording, Londa Larmond is a Dove Awards nominee for Urban Album of the Year and a strong contender for the 2001 JUNO Award for Best Gospel Album of the Year. "Love Letters" has proven itself to be a sample what Billboard Magazine (18/8/01) describes as "an inspiring step beyond more conventional gospel-R/B structure".
Ms. Larmond's passion for engaging an audience and colourful performance skills results in an explosive combination that is consistently pushing her to the forefront of the pack. Londa's material introduces a new genre of soulful-jazz and inspiration.
Larmond's electrifying vocals have been seen on Bobby Jones Gospel, Gospelfest, Ottawa Blues Festival, Montreal Gospelfest and at the Air Canada Centre where she sang the national anthem for the NBA's Toronto Raptors. Londa even had the distinct honour to sing for President George W. Bush and 33 other heads of state at the Summit of the Americas.
Help Him Stand
Londa Larmond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've gotta look into his heart and try to help him understand
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man, well
But with compassion we must look inside
To help him stand, help him stand
It's not so easy just to look and see the need of man
And when he's down it's almost natural to wanna lend a hand
But when we see through eyes of love
We're better able to lend a hand
Son, I gotta do more than just take my brother by the hand
I've gotta look into his heart and try to help him understand
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man
But with compassion we must look inside
To help him stand, help him stand
No, it's not the food or money that the poor man really needs
It's not the shelter from the rain that he seeks when he's in pain
It's more than just the love of a woman that fulfills a man's dreams
Open up your heart so that you'll see the need
?Cause he's a man, so help him stand now
Son, I gotta do more than just take my brother by the hand
I've gotta look into his heart and try to help him understand
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man
But with compassion we should look inside
To help him stand
Lord, somebody help me say, help me lay
Deep down inside
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man
But with compassion we should look inside
To help him stand, help him stand
Looking through the eyes of love
See what compassion is made of
That's what we gotta do, listen
More than what the eye can see
And not the ordinary
I've gotta help him stand, help him stand
Son, I gotta do more than just take my brother by the hand
I've gotta look into his heart and try to help him understand
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man
But with compassion we should look inside
To help him stand, help him stand, yeah
Help him stand, yeah, help him stand
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man
Yeah, yeah, I've gotta help him stand, help him stand
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than just take my brother by the hand
I've gotta look into his heart and try to help him understand
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man
But with compassion we should look inside
To help him stand
More than just take my brother by the hand
Help him stand
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man
I will help him stand
Oh yeah, help him stand
Oh, come on, come on
Come on, come on baby, ooh yeah
Help him stand
The lyrics of Londa Larmond's song Help Him Stand urge listeners to be more than just superficial helpers in the lives of those who are struggling. The singer asserts that it is not enough to just lend a hand physically, but one must also look into the heart of the person in need and try to understand their struggles. Larmond argues that this kind of compassion must be coming from one's deepest heart to truly help someone in need to stand up.
The lyrics focus on the human connections we often have and encourage us to look beyond the external needs of people. Instead of merely providing food or money or shelter, Larmond sheds light on the deeper emotional needs that all humans have, particularly when one falls on hard times. The lyrics argue that we need to see through a lens of empathy and compassion if we are going to help others stand up and continue to move forward from a place of dignity.
Overall, Larmond's song is not only motivational and inspiring, but also reminds listeners of the importance of humanness, compassion and kindness in our interconnected world.
Line by Line Meaning
Son, I gotta do more than just take my brother by the hand
I need to do more than just offer a physical hand to my brother
I've gotta look into his heart and try to help him understand
I need to understand my brother's pain and help him comprehend it
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man, well
I need to see beyond a common viewpoint
But with compassion we must look inside
We need to approach with compassion
To help him stand, help him stand
To aid him in standing strong
It's not so easy just to look and see the need of man
It's not effortless to understand a man's requirements
And when he's down it's almost natural to wanna lend a hand
When a man is struggling, it's typical to feel the urge to assist them
Though the need of love goes deeper than we understand
Love is an unexplainable aspect that goes beyond our understanding
But when we see through eyes of love
But when we perceive through the lens of love
We're better able to lend a hand
We can provide better assistance
No, it's not the food or money that the poor man really needs
The poor man's fundamental necessities are not food or money
It's not the shelter from the rain that he seeks when he's in pain
A man in pain doesn't just seek shelter from the rain
It's more than just the love of a woman that fulfills a man's dreams
A man's dreams are not solely fulfilled by the love of a woman
Open up your heart so that you'll see the need
You need to open your heart to see a man's needs
?Cause he's a man, so help him stand now
Because he is a man, we should aid him in standing strong right now
Lord, somebody help me say, help me lay Deep down inside
A plea for help to lay something deep inside
Looking through the eyes of love
Perceiving through a love-based view
See what compassion is made of
Witness the essence of compassion
That's what we gotta do, listen
That's what we need to perform, listen
More than what the eye can see
More than what we can see on the surface
And not the ordinary
And not an unremarkable approach
I've gotta help him stand, help him stand
I need to assist him in standing strong
Not looking through the eyes of just an ordinary man
Not welcoming ordinary views
Yeah, yeah, I've gotta help him stand, help him stand
I need to aid him in standing strong
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
An expression of agreement
I will help him stand
I will aid him in standing strong
Oh yeah, help him stand
A plea to aid him in standing strong
Oh, come on, come on
An encouragement to act
Come on, come on baby, ooh yeah
An urging to act with enthusiasm
Help him stand
A plea to aid him in standing strong
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind