In 2002, the band released their popular second album, Spoken For, which produced two more Top 10 hits. The combined success of the band's first two albums garnered a nomination for the Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist at the American Music Awards.
In 2004, MercyMe released Undone which produced two Top 10 hits: Here With Me which also hit Billboard's Top 100 chart that same year, and In The Blink of an Eye which, as of the end of 2005, was at #5 on R&R's top Christian hits. In 2005 they also released their Christmas album titled The Christmas Sessions.
2006 saw the release of the album Coming Up to Breathe, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Top Christian Albums, and #13 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Also released was Coming Up to Breathe Acoustic.
In 2007, MercyMe released their newest album, All That Is Within Me, which debuted at #15 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.
In 2010 they released The Generous Mr. Lovewell. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Christian Albums chart.
August 30, 2011 they released an album titled The Worship Sessions; it's currently exclusive to Family Christian Bookstores and can not be found on iTunes or Amazon.
The The Hurt & The Healer Songfacts says that their eighth major label studio album, The Hurt & Tye Healer, will be released on May 22, 2012. The record was produced by Brown Bannister and Dan Muckala and is centered around the concept of bringing healing to the hurting.
Dear Younger Me
MercyMe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where do I start
If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far
Then you could be
One step ahead
Of all the painful memories still running thru my head
I wonder how much different things would be
Dear younger me
Dear younger me
I cannot decide
Do I give some speech about how to get the most out of your life
Or do I go deep
And try to change
The choices that you'll make cuz they're choices that made me
Even though I love this crazy life
Sometimes I wish it was a smoother ride
Dear younger me, dear younger me
If I knew then what I know now
Condemnation would've had no power
My joy my pain would've never been my worth
If I knew then what I know now
Would've not been hard to figure out
What I would've changed if I had heard
Dear younger me
It's not your fault
You were never meant to carry this beyond the cross
Dear younger me
You are holy
You are righteous
You are one of the redeemed
Set apart a brand new heart
You are free indeed
Every mountain every valley
Thru each heartache you will see
Every moment brings you closer
To who you were meant to be
Dear younger me, dear younger me
You are holy
You are righteous
You are one of the redeemed
Set apart a brand new heart
You are free indeed
You are holy
You are righteous
You are one of the redeemed
Set apart a brand new heart
You are free indeed
You are holy
You are righteous
You are one of the redeemed
Set apart a brand new heart
You are free indeed
The song "Dear Younger Me" by MercyMe is a conversation between the older, wiser self and the younger self. The older self is contemplating all the mistakes, regrets, failures, and lessons that they have experienced in their life, wishing that they could go back and tell their younger self about the things they know now. It is evident in the song that the older self has been carrying a lot of pain and memories, and they are imagining how different their life would have been if they had known some things earlier.
The song represents a profound sense of reflection and change, urging the younger self to be prepared for the inevitable changes that he will face in his journey. The lyrics "It's not your fault, you were never meant to carry this beyond the cross" indicate that the older self has come to a better understanding of why things happened the way they did and are advising the younger self to release the burden of hurt and blame, knowing that the past cannot be undone. It emphasizes the notion that our past doesn't define us and encourages us to live our present for who we are, not what we have been.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear younger me
The songwriter is addressing their younger self.
Where do I start
The songwriter is overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions and is unsure where to begin.
If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far
The songwriter has gained insightful knowledge and wishes to pass it on to their younger self.
Then you could be
By sharing their experiences, the songwriter hopes to help their younger self avoid similar struggles.
One step ahead
The songwriter wants their younger self to be prepared for what's to come.
Of all the painful memories still running thru my head
The songwriter has experienced hardships and wishes to save their younger self from the pain and hurt they went through.
I wonder how much different things would be
The songwriter reflects on the changes that could have been if they knew then what they know now.
I cannot decide
The songwriter is unsure how to approach their message to their younger self.
Do I give some speech about how to get the most out of your life
The songwriter debates whether to give practical advice on how to live life to the fullest.
Or do I go deep
The songwriter is contemplating sharing their personal struggles and experiences to offer their younger self a different perspective.
And try to change
The songwriter wishes to alter the choices their younger self made, which led to painful memories.
The choices that you'll make cuz they're choices that made me
The songwriter believes that their past choices have shaped their current life and wants their younger self to make different choices to create a better future.
Even though I love this crazy life
The songwriter enjoys life, despite its challenges and hardships.
Sometimes I wish it was a smoother ride
The songwriter wishes their life had been easier at times.
If I knew then what I know now
The songwriter reflects on how life could have been different if they had the knowledge they have now.
Condemnation would've had no power
The songwriter believes that having more knowledge could have prevented them from feeling guilty and ashamed of their past mistakes.
My joy my pain would've never been my worth
The songwriter realizes that their happiness and sadness do not define their value as a person.
Would've not been hard to figure out
The songwriter believes that with their current knowledge, they could have easily made better choices in the past.
What I would've changed if I had heard
The songwriter wishes they could change certain things about their past if they had been given advice or guidance.
It's not your fault
The songwriter reassures their younger self that they are not to blame for the struggles and pain they encounter.
You were never meant to carry this beyond the cross
The songwriter believes that no one should have to carry pain and hardships, and that these burdens should be left at the cross of Jesus Christ.
You are holy
The songwriter believes that their younger self is pure and righteous in the eyes of God.
You are righteous
The songwriter reassures their younger self that they are doing the right thing and living their life the right way.
You are one of the redeemed
The songwriter believes that their younger self has been saved from sin and the hardships of the world through their faith.
Set apart a brand new heart
The songwriter hopes that their younger self will create a new life for themselves, free from the pain of the past.
You are free indeed
The songwriter reminds their younger self that they are free from the bondage of sin and can live a life of freedom and joy.
Every mountain every valley
The songwriter believes that every obstacle and hardship is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Thru each heartache you will see
The songwriter encourages their younger self to see the good in every heartache and hardship they encounter.
Every moment brings you closer
The songwriter believes that every experience, good or bad, brings a person closer to who they are meant to be.
To who you were meant to be
The songwriter believes that every person has a purpose and that their younger self is on the path towards fulfilling that purpose.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Ben Glover, David Garcia, Michael Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Rebecca-yv3jz
this is SUCH a well written song. I love how it explores feelings we all think about and bring it back to the cross and God. How even if we go through struggles we can always go through it alongside God. I really love the part that goes:
“Dear younger me
I cannot decide
Do I give some speech about how to get the most out of your life
Or do I go deep
And try to change
The choices that you'll make ‘cause they're choices that made me”
we don’t know why we go through the struggles we go through. I know that if God can turn something as ugly as a horrific crucifixion into a beautiful thing like eternal salvation for all mankind, then He can turn my ugly problems into something worth using for His glory. ❤️
@GospelMusicMix01
To anybody who's reading this, I pray that whatever is hurting you or whatever you are constantly stressing about gets better. May the dark thoughts, the overthinking, and the doubt exit your mind right now. May clarity replace confusion. May peace and calmness fill your life. Amen.💕
@cassandrapegues1969
Amen and Thank you
@gordonkeister7927
Thank you
@davidjena6625
Amen & amen!!
@mattlopez8391
In Jesus Christ amen
@jrdkarver
Amen. Thank you, but what's hurting me and stressing me out is the wickedness of the world today. Surely Sodom and Gomorrah were more blessed than we are, in these times.
@masondunbar8339
"Dear younger me it's not your fault, you were never meant to carry this beyond the cross." Thank you MercyMe and thank you Jesus. I needed to hear that.
@The_Official_Optimar
That part always makes me cry. I’m going through one of the hardest seasons of life for me.
@rynor7132
That line hits me hard too
@damientahbaz3172
It is a beautiful lyric