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.
Once
Londa Larmond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't act the same
I know that the change may seem so strange
The way I behave
And the smile on my face
You see I got saved
And I'm not ashamed
To ease the pain inside
Ended up not satisfied
'Til I met Jesus Christ
If you take that leap of faith
Then He will set you free
And you will be forgiven for eternity
[Chorus:]
Once prisoners of sin
But now we can go
We've been born again
We're free
Once we could not cope
But now we can tell it
We've got blessed hope
Can you believe I used to be the one
To always complain "no one loves me"
Look at my face
All my criyins done
I gave up the pain
To be free and if
If you believe that He died
Because He loves you too
And if you're not satisfied where life has taken you
You just take that leap of faith
You'll have your freedom too
And you will join us singing
While we play our groove
[Chorus:]
In Londa Larmond's song, she talks about the transformation she underwent after meeting Jesus Christ. The lyrics touch on the reason why she doesn't act the same way she used to – because she has been saved and now lives with the joy of her salvation. She explains that she used to look for love to ease the pain inside and found no satisfaction until she met Jesus, who set her free and forgiven her for eternity. The chorus emphasizes that they were all prisoners of sin, but now they are free because they have been born again and have the blessed hope of heaven.
The lyrics give an insight into the Christian faith, which teaches that salvation and forgiveness come through believing in Jesus Christ. The song also emphasizes how one's life can be transformed when they let go of their past and trust in God. It speaks to those who may be going through a tough time and achieving hope through a leap of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
What is the reason
Why am I different now?
I don't act the same
My behavior has changed
I know that the change may seem so strange
I understand that it may be hard for others to understand
The way I behave
My actions
And the smile on my face
My happiness
You see I got saved
I have been saved by Jesus
And I'm not ashamed
I am proud of my salvation
When I was looking for love
Before I found Jesus
To ease the pain inside
To make myself feel better
Ended up not satisfied
I never found what I was looking for
'Til I met Jesus Christ
Until I found Jesus
If you take that leap of faith
If you believe in Jesus
Then He will set you free
You will be free from sin
And you will be forgiven for eternity
Your sins will be forgiven forever
[Chorus:] Once prisoners of sin
We were once trapped in sin
But now we can go
But now we are free
We've been born again
We have a new life in Jesus
Once we could not cope
We used to struggle
But now we can tell it
But now we can share our story
We've got blessed hope
We have hope through Jesus
Can you believe I used to be the one
I used to be someone who
To always complain "no one loves me"
Complained about not being loved
Look at my face
Now look at me
All my crying's done
I no longer cry
I gave up the pain
I let go of my pain
To be free and if
To be free, and if you
If you believe that He died
If you believe that Jesus died for your sins
Because He loves you too
Because He loves you also
And if you're not satisfied where life has taken you
And if you are not satisfied with your life
You just take that leap of faith
Believe in Jesus
You'll have your freedom too
You will be free from sin
And you will join us singing
You will join us in praising Jesus
While we play our groove
While we worship through music
[Chorus:]
The chorus repeats the theme of being set free from sin
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.