Newsboys are considered one of the most popular bands in the Christian music industry. They have had numerous hit singles on the Christian pop charts, including Shine (1994), Take Me To Your Leader (1996) and He Reigns (2003).
In 2000, they helped start and headlined the annual, travelling CCM festival Festival Con Dios with Audio Adrenaline and The O.C. Supertones. It was known for featuring popular Christian bands and its motorcross stunts.
Steve Taylor has produced many of their hit albums, and several of the songs he has worked on with the band (such as Breakfast, Take Me To Your Leader) feature Taylor's humor and quaint lyrics.
During the Step Up To The Microphone tour, the band featured the drums on a rotating platform that could tilt downward up to 90 degrees. In fact, there were two sets of drums and Peter Furler (the original drummer) and Duncan Phillips would wear seat belts, so they wouldn't fall out, and have a rotating drum-off. This feature is still used on their tours and has grown to be quite popular.
In 2003, Jody Davis left the band to care for his sick daughter, Bethany. His replacement, Bryan Olesen, left in 2006 to work on his own band, Casting Pearls. The band announced in January 2007 that Paul Colman would be replacing Bryan.
The Newsboys released their new album, Go, on October 31st, featuring songs such as their hit single I Am Free, along with new singles Wherever We Go, and Something Beautiful. In March 2007, a collection of remixes from the Go was released as Go Remixed.
On December 31st 2006, bass player Phil Joel departed from the band to devote more time to family and personal goals.
In January 2009, the band announced that guitarist Jody Davis would return, replacing Paul Colman. Colman continues to pursue his solo career.
In March, 2009, it was announced that Peter Furler will be leaving the band to pursue other interests and will be replaced by Michael Tait, former member of dc talk and founding member of Tait. However, it was also announced that Furler will remain with the Newsboys in a production/advisory role, and may occasionally return to the stage with them for special events and will still be on the albums.
When You Called My Name
Newsboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They want massages
I check chapter and verse
They check their watches
I spy another yawn
I might as well be gone
Let's stand and say "Amen"
I still don't get this
Could be it's time to quit
When days get like this
I slip into the night
Then stumble towards the light
Wake up and try again
[Chorus]
When You called my name
I didn't know how far the calling went
When You called my name
I didn't know what that word really meant
When I recall Your call
I feel
So small
Could be I'm losing touch
Could be they don't care
Lord knows I don't know much
Lord knows I've been there
I trip toward my retreat
I fall down at Your feet
Get up and try again
[Chorus]
Lord, what did you see
When you called out for me?
I start losing heart
And then
It comes again
Lifted from despair
By the prayers of someone
Lifted form despair
By the prayers of someone
[Chorus]
In Newsboys’s “When You Called My Name,” the band talks about the challenges of being a preacher and trying to spread the Word. The first two lines of the song set the scene where the preacher wants to preach, but the congregation wants massages. This contrast sets up the rest of the song, where the preacher feels lost and might want to quit on tough days. The lyrics “I check chapter and verse, they check their watches” show the difference in the priorities between the preacher and the congregation. While the preacher is trying to do God's work, the congregation does not seem interested, and the preacher feels like he is wasting his time.
The song also talks about the effect of prayer on the preacher, where he gets "lifted from despair by the prayers of someone." This line shows how prayer and the support of other people can uplift someone who is struggling. The last line, “Lord, what did you see when you called out for me?,” is a question the preacher asks God, wondering what qualities God saw in him to call him to be a preacher. This line is especially poignant as it reflects the preacher's self-doubt in his abilities and effectiveness as a preacher.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to preach the Word
I desire to spread your teachings through preaching
They want massages
They want easy and comforting messages
I check chapter and verse
I verify and reference the exact teachings from holy scripture
They check their watches
They get impatient and check the time
I spy another yawn
I perceive that my audience is disinterested and unengaged
I might as well be gone
I feel that my presence and message are not making a difference
Let's stand and say "Amen"
Let's affirm our agreement with religious doctrines
Some days I must admit
Some days I have to acknowledge
I still don't get this
I still don't understand why people are not moved by my message
Could be it's time to quit
Perhaps it's time to stop preaching
When days get like this
When I encounter unresponsive audiences
I slip into the night
I feel disheartened and disappear into the darkness
Then stumble towards the light
Then I take tentative steps towards understanding and enlightenment
Wake up and try again
Regain my energy and renew my efforts to preach
When You called my name
When I realized I was called by God
I didn't know how far the calling went
I didn't understand the full extent of the calling
I didn't know what that word really meant
I didn't grasp the true meaning of the calling
When I recall Your call
When I think back on God's calling
I feel
I experience an emotion
So small
So insignificant compared to the magnitude of the calling
Could be I'm losing touch
Perhaps I'm becoming disconnected from the divine calling
Could be they don't care
Perhaps the audience has lost interest
Lord knows I don't know much
I admit I don't possess much spiritual knowledge
Lord knows I've been there
I acknowledge that I've experienced moments of doubt or despondency before
I trip toward my retreat
I stumble my way back to my spiritual refuge
I fall down at Your feet
I submit myself to God's guidance and leadership
Lord, what did you see
Lord, what did you observe or envision about me
When you called out for me?
When you summoned me to serve and preach
I start losing heart
I begin to feel discouraged
And then
But then
It comes again
I experience renewed enthusiasm and inspiration
Lifted from despair
I'm relieved from my depression or despondency
By the prayers of someone
Through the intercession and support of another person
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PETER FURLER, STEVE TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Prvoslavka Popac
on God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)
yees!