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Canadian-born singer/songwriter Matt Brouwer’s latest single, 'Waking Up', is more than just a nod to the past 14 years of being a recording artist, which Brouwer is celebrating on the release of his first career spanning ‘best of’ collection, "Writing To Remember". The sentiment of a bookend and a new beginning is no accident and reveals a season of transition that Brouwer is happily embracing. With more than a decade of hit songs, including “Water,” “I Shall Believe,” “Tonight,” and the Top 20 "Sometimes”; two GMA Canada Covenant Awards; two Canadian people’s choice Vibe Awards—not to mention a 2010 Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy equivalent) for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the year—Matt has a lot to celebrate in all that has been accomplished so far over the course of his career. With the passage of time inevitably comes change and it is in looking back that Matt is starting to see a new and exciting road ahead.
Matt Brouwer got his start in the music industry while studying music at school in Alberta, Canada. While in college he and fellow students founded the band Monday Night Worship (MNW). Because of the spiritual content of his lyrics he was 'discovered' by a Nashville record company in 2000, and in 2001 recorded his solo debut CD "Imagerical". The album was released on May 29, 2001 on Reunion Records. He then formed his own label called Black Shoe Records and released an album titled 'Unlearning' in 2005, 'Where’s Our Revolution' (Universal) in 2009, and 'Till The Sunrise' in 2012. Brouwer's music has been hailed for its relentless vulnerability as he shares his life's story of tragedy (the tragic death of his father) and hope (his Spiritual pilgrimage) with his listeners.
“I never imagined where this journey would take me”, says Brouwer. “I can remember being 17 or 18 and feeling so compelled to want to shout from the rooftops about the Spiritual awakening I was experiencing. It was like being embraced by the most incredible love and connection to the Lord and the key to unlocking this door to my heart was through music. I was so hungry for that and totally committed and determined to follow it wherever it might lead me. My time in college and the friends I made there, the energy that was driving us, or driving me, to write songs and attempt to share them with the world felt like a humble but passionate expression of a new but relevant faith that was growing like a wildfire at the time. Fifteen years or so later, I still feel that longing. With all the miles travelled and water under the bridge, I still sit down in front or a piano or with a guitar and dream about what could be possible. I believe in the power of God’s love, transforming hearts through music and worship because I’ve experienced it and I’ve seen it happen in sometimes subtle and not so subtle ways. It’s something I believe I’ll be pursuing my entire life.”
That’s not to say that Brouwer believes that all anyone needs to find peace in life is a three minute pop song to solve all of their problems. Growing up in a very devout Christian family, Matt’s mom made sure that he and his siblings were memorizing full chapters of scripture by the time they started kindergarten and spending as much or more time during the week at church gatherings than in front of the tv or devouring any type of pop culture media. “I used to feel embarrassed by how sheltered we were, but now I am so thankful because it gave me an incredible foundation of solid teaching and an education in Biblical theology. But knowledge alone is pretty useless until it makes an emotional connection somehow and finds it’s way into your heart. For me, the music is what connected the two.”
Like so many new beginnings, much of the genesis for this fresh optimism happened when Hannah entered Matt’s life. The two first met while Matt was on a mission trip in Guatemala, where Hannah’s parents serve as medical missionaries. The relationship blossomed and they were engaged in spring 2010 and married later that year. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in September of 2013 and life forever changed. The balance of career and family has been a stretch at times, but it’s something Matt says he is learning to embrace and explore. “It might sounds strange, but I’ve never been less interested in pursuing a music career. Being married and having a family has re-oriented my priorities completely and the career things that used to be so important to me have become less so. In that way it’s been very freeing and has forced me to let go of control and allowed my steps to be directed by opportunities that the Lord brings our way rather than striving and trying to ‘make it’. If ten or ten million people are listening, it really doesn’t matter. Being a great husband, father, and friend are much more important to me right now than striving for some big career that takes me away from these precious gifts of family and community.”
Community and camaraderie has become increasingly more important to the singer and one listen to 'Writing to Remember' reveals this collaborative spirit that is a hallmark of Matt’s musical pallet. Those lending their vocal talents include JJ Heller, Jill Paquette, and even Vince Gill and Amy Grant on a deeply personal and emotional track, 'The Other Side'. 'Writing to Remember' is equally saturated with a spirit of hope, togetherness, and God’s love. The album beautifully bookends this first chapter with a nod to the next waiting to unfold. “These 15 songs truly represent the progression of learning for me and express the joys and struggles of life that has been lived these past 14 years”, says Matt. “It’s been cool to re-discover how relevant these simple truths still are in my life and I believe for all of us.”
Breathe
Matt Brouwer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darkness spills over the deep
The spirit of the lord hovering
Then you breathe
You spoke the word, and life begins
You spoke the word, and life begins
Deep calls to deep, wondering
And ev'rything begins here, but you saw more
And ev'rything begins here
You must have known
You'd shed your blood for me
And you breathe
Dust to flesh, you formed a man
Who falls from grace and knows his sin
But love chose redemption
Love chose redemption, and you breathe
You sent your son, and all is well
And you breathe, you breathe
The lyrics to Matt Brouwer's song "Breathe" reflect on the creation of the world and the intervention of God through Jesus Christ to provide redemption for humanity. In the opening lines, the emptiness and darkness of the void is juxtaposed with the presence of the "spirit of the Lord," implying a divine force. The repeated phrase "Then you breathe" suggests that God's breath or spirit was necessary to bring life into the world. This echoes the creation story in Genesis, where God creates Adam by breathing into his nostrils.
The second verse continues with the creative power of God's spoken word. The phrase "Deep calls to deep, wondering" suggests the vastness and wonder of the universe, evoking a sense of awe and reverence. The lines "And ev'rything begins here, but you saw more / And ev'rything begins here / You must have known" suggest that there was intention and purpose behind the creation of the world, and that God had a plan for humanity beyond just creating them.
The third verse shifts to the story of the fall of humanity, where God's creation turns to sin and disobedience. The line "Dust to flesh, you formed a man" harkens back to the creation of Adam, but now highlights the limitations and flaws of humanity. The lines "But love chose redemption / Love chose redemption, and you breathe" show that despite humanity's shortcomings, God chose to offer a path to salvation through his love and sacrifice.
The final verse brings the focus to Jesus Christ as the means of redemption, with the poignant line "You sent your son, and all is well." The repetition of "you breathe" throughout the song emphasizes God's ongoing presence and involvement in the world, and the potential for new life and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
Silence fills a formless void
In the beginning, before anything was created, there was nothing but emptiness - a void filled with silence.
Darkness spills over the deep
The emptiness was covered by darkness that was so dense, nothing could penetrate it.
The spirit of the lord hovering
Then, the presence of God started to move, like a bird flying above its prey, as if waiting for the right moment to take action.
Then you breathe
Finally, God spoke and His breath filled the universe with life, power, and goodness.
You spoke the word, and life begins
God's voice was so powerful that it created everything - the sun, stars, oceans, mountains, animals, and humans.
Deep calls to deep, wondering
The more humans explore the depths of their emotions, the more they realize how much they need God's comfort, guidance, and love.
And ev'rything begins here, but you saw more
Even though the world was created from nothing, God had a bigger plan in mind - to rescue humanity from sin, death, and the Devil.
You must have known
God knew from the start that humans would disobey His commands and suffer terrible consequences.
You'd shed your blood for me
Despite this, God still loved humans enough to send His own Son, Jesus, to take our punishment and offer us eternal life, through His death and resurrection.
Dust to flesh, you formed a man
God created the first human, Adam, from the dust of the earth, and breathed life into him, making him a living being.
Who falls from grace and knows his sin
Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and by doing so, they introduced sin, shame, and death into the world.
But love chose redemption
God didn't abandon humanity, but promised to send a Savior who would restore the broken relationship between God and humans, through His sacrificial death and resurrection.
Love chose redemption, and you breathe
This ultimate act of love made it possible for humans to receive forgiveness, new life, and the Holy Spirit, which gives them the power to live a righteous and meaningful life.
You sent your son, and all is well
Finally, when Jesus came to earth, He fulfilled all the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament, and offered salvation and healing to all who believe in Him.
And you breathe, you breathe
The Holy Spirit continues to fill the hearts and minds of those who put their trust in Jesus, granting them peace, joy, and hope, in a world full of chaos, fear, and despair.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JILL J. PAQUETTE, MATT BROUWER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind