Born into a musically gifted family, Croteau grew up in a setting where singing and playing instruments were a natural part of their everyday life. Both of her parents are very well rounded in music and led worship at Foursquare and AOG church's they attendeded in Montana before moving back and becoming involved with New Hope Christian Fellowship in Simi Valley, Calif. At the same time, her sister Olivia and her brother Tony have been involved in music as well, including by her side on her newest album, Anchors and Silhouettes. Tony plays the drums and is already very established as a drummer for "Luke Dowler" who has opened for bands such as Skillet and Fireflight. Olivia is the harmonizing vocals throughout the album. For Nicole, her family is the biggest support in her musical career pushing her to accomplish her dreams in all of her endeavors.
Before she signed on with Dream records, Nicole helped her parents lead worship in Montana and even sang at the Colgate Country Showdown. After singing her song "Thirsty Roots," She went on to come in 4th place out of over 200 contestants her first time attempting this competition.
After Nicole moved back to Westlake Village, Calif., she returned to sing at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Dave Hanley of Press Play asked her to fill in for their band while they went on tour. Because of her exceptional voice and personality, they got along very well and she signed with Press Play as their lead female vocals.
For this upcoming year, Press Play has some extraordinary plans including a two week trip to India in January spreading the message of Jesus' love through the Gospel for Asia program. They will be sponsoring children and families who are unable to support themselves. They are also preparing a tour across the US next spring, so make sure to keep checking their website for any concerts they will be playing near your area!
While working with Press Play, Nicole signed with Dream Records as a solo artist to express more of her own personal work, which comprises of deep and more evocative love songs to God making up her first solo album called Anchors and Silhouettes. Ever since she wasyoung, she has had a fascination with anchors and coincidentally read in the Bible that Christ stands as an anchor for our souls, that He keeps us grounded and is a foundation for our faith. Complimenting the word "anchors," the other part of her title "silhouettes" embodiesthe good and the bad in our lives. Defined as "a likeness cut from dark material and mounted on a light ground," the dark material represents humans in their rebellious nature displayed upon a light background that symbolizes Christ,the hope and the light that we hold on to.
The twelve songs that Croteau has written for Anchors and Silhouettes are birthed from a place of need to cry out to God and come straight from the heart to express her life experiences and emotion inside. Olivia Croteau comments on her sister and the making of the albumsaying that, "Nicole's music and lyrics inspire me the most; they're so true about what she feels and I feel it is hard to find people who write the truth. She's my best friend, we get along really well and we know what each other are thinking. This helps with the music. If she wants me to sing about a certain part, she doesn't need to tell me what to sing. The sibling harmony really kicks in," and this is certainly evident after listening to the album.
One of the most meaningful songs to Nicole is "Devon," which is named after a friend of hers. They had been very close classmates and Devon's mother was a very encouraging and prominent figure to Nicole and her music. However, before Nicole had signed on with Dream Records, Devon had tearfully informed her that her mother had passed away from cancer. This really took a toll on Nicole and inspired her to write this song for Devon as it describes how hard situations like these are to get through. However, it goes on to say that because of God's love, it is not the end and there will always be a brighter tomorrow.
With songs like these in Anchors and Silhouettes, Nicole aims to show her listeners that regardless of age, God is always the one you can turn to in times of trouble.
"I want to also reach out specifically to my generation with my music to show them that as they go through a time of searching for something of significance to feel "complete," they can turn to God for this feeling of being whole even more so."
As for plans in the future, Nicole will be continuing her individual career and involvement with Press Play with more albums to come.
Hurricane
Nicole Croteau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pre-
And I am crying out, desperately calling out, for more of you.
Let your love come like a hurricane let if fall down like rain, drowning me, surrounding me. Let your love steal my pain, let it come just like a hurricane, drowning me, surrounding me. Yeah yeah.
To face these broken things in my life makes me run and hide. To know you’ll never leave, your by my side, lets me know I’ll survive.
(Pre-)
The lyrics to Nicole Croteau's "Hurricane" convey the message of the singer's desperation for more of God's love in her life. The opening line- "There is not much more I can take in this life" - sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is at her lowest, struggling to deal with the broken things in her life, and feels like she has no strength left to get through it. But then she turns to God, who gives her the strength she needs to keep going. He is her rock, her anchor, and the one who keeps her satisfied. She calls out to Him, pleading with Him to let His love come like a hurricane, to drown her in it and surround her with it.
The metaphor used in the chorus is powerful and touches on the idea of surrendering oneself to God, letting go of all the pain and suffering, and allowing His love to take over. The storms of life can be overwhelming, and sometimes all we need is to be engulfed by His love to keep going. The final lines of the song, "Drown me in, drown me in your love until it's all I know. Drown me in, drown me in your love until I let go," emphasize the idea of complete surrender to God's love.
Line by Line Meaning
There is not much more I can take in this life. You show me what faith is for, you give me strength, keep me satisfied.
I am feeling overwhelmed with life, but your guidance and love give me hope and strength to carry on.
And I am crying out, desperately calling out, for more of you.
I am yearning for a deeper connection with you and your love.
Let your love come like a hurricane let if fall down like rain, drowning me, surrounding me. Let your love steal my pain, let it come just like a hurricane, drowning me, surrounding me. Yeah yeah.
I want to be fully immersed in your love, letting it overcome and heal me completely.
To face these broken things in my life makes me run and hide. To know you’ll never leave, your by my side, lets me know I’ll survive.
My struggles are hard to face, but knowing that you are with me always gives me strength to endure and overcome.
Drown me in, drown me in your love until its all I know. Drown me in, drown me in your love until I let go.
I want to be completely consumed by your love and let it guide me to a place of peace and surrender.
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheGreatSilvan
Most beautiful song I've heard in a long time. Thank you for the great song!
SailingWeJo
Just listened to this song on repeat, about five times through, while doing today's devotionals. Such a powerful love song to the Lord! I want to drown in God's love forever and always