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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.”
New Beginning
Matt Brouwer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reviving Your house
Bringing peace in the warmth of the sunrise
This is a new beginning
We will see the glory of the risen King
We will see Your power over all the earth
When every knee will bow
Every knee will bow in the new beginning
Inspiring their songs
And with one voice the nations arise and sing
This is a new beginning
2000 New Spring Publishing, Inc. (admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing) / Wheat Sheaf Music (admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing)
The lyrics of Matt Brouwer's song New Beginning refer to the revival and rekindling of faith and devotion towards God. "Creating praise on the lips of the broken" implies the healing and restoration of those who have experienced brokenness and despair. The lines "reviving Your house, bringing peace in the warmth of the sunrise" describe the renewed vigor and revitalization of the church and the calming effect of the presence of God.
The chorus reinforces the idea of a new beginning, with the lyrics "We will see the glory of the risen King, we will see Your power over all the earth". This indicates the renewed faith and confidence that comes with starting anew, with the knowledge that God's power and glory will always prevail. The lines "when every knee will bow, every knee will bow in the new beginning" emphasizes the ultimate triumph and submission to God's authority.
The second verse continues the theme of revival and renewal, with the lyrics "creating fire in the souls of the people, inspiring their songs". This signifies the passion and inspiration that arises with the revival of faith and spiritual awakening. The final line of the chorus "this is a new beginning" serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing new beginnings and the hope that accompanies it.
Overall, the lyrics of the song New Beginning convey a message of hope, renewal, and faith in God's power and glory.
Line by Line Meaning
Creating praise on the lips of the broken
Empowering those who feel shattered and hopeless by bringing joy and allowing them express their gratitude
Reviving Your house
Revitalizing and rejuvenating the church to align with Your teachings and values
Bringing peace in the warmth of the sunrise
Spreading tranquility and harmony amid the new beginning of each day as the sun rises
This is a new beginning
Starting over with a fresh perspective, leaving the past behind and embarking on a new phase of life
We will see the glory of the risen King
Experiencing the magnificence of Your grace and compassion for us displayed through Your sacrifice
We will see Your power over all the earth
Acknowledging Your control and influence over all aspects of life on Earth
When every knee will bow
When all people will humbly submit and respect You as the ultimate authority
Every knee will bow in the new beginning
All individuals will acknowledge Your majesty and sovereignty during the period of renewal and starting over
Creating fire in the souls of the people
Filling the hearts and minds of people with passion, inspiration and desire to follow You
Inspiring their songs
Motivating and encouraging individuals to express their emotions and inner thoughts through music
And with one voice the nations arise and sing
All nations will unite and glorify You in unison during the time of new beginnings
This is a new beginning
Once again, emphasizing the start of a fresh journey filled with hope, purpose and optimism
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.