His second solo album, Drive It Home, was released in April 2008. The single "To Bring You Back" has been a top 20 hit on the Christian charts.
Alan was previously the lead singer for the band Nouveaux, which released two projects, Beginnings and ...And This Is How I Feel, on Benson Records.
Another Silent Night
Paul Alan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I read the day's paper with the man on the moon
And I can't shake the feeling
Somehow I've been here before
Nothing like a heartache to remind you it's beating
Like a cut to the soul says you never stop bleeding
And a void fills the rooms
Like the obvious hole in the screen door
Stand in the rain and wait for the phone
Just another silent night
Falling awake on the inside
Just another silent night
Who could have known you'd be here
To save my life
I sing hallelujah cause I do believe
That there's more to this life than just what I've seen
And maybe today is the day that you'll show me a sign
Just another silent night
Falling awake on the inside
Just another silent night
Who could have known you'd be here
To save my life
And I'm needing you now
I've got a lot to say but I never know how
It could have been a night just like this one
Hopelessly normal
Painfully numb
When you chose to reach from the heavens and open our eyes
Just another silent night
And angels descend on the hillside
Just another mother's child
Who could have known you were here to save my life
(x2)
Jesus, you saved my life
(fading)
Just another silent night
And angels descend on the hillside
Just another mother's child
In "Another Silent Night," Paul Alan reflects on the mundanity of life and the complex emotions that come with it. The opening lyrics suggest a feeling of stagnation or repetition, as he reads the day's newspaper with "nothing new" under the sun. However, he also feels a sense of deja vu, as if he has experienced these emotions before. The reference to a heartache that reminds one of their beating heart emphasizes the importance of difficult emotions in reminding us that we are alive. This idea of duality continues throughout the song, as Alan describes a void filling the room, but also sings hallelujah and believes in the possibility of being shown a sign.
The chorus of "Just another silent night" captures a feeling of loneliness and introspection, falling awake on the inside. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes how common this feeling is, and how easily we can become trapped in our own thoughts. The twist comes in the final lines, as Alan realizes that someone was there to "save my life." This could be interpreted both literally and figuratively, as the presence of a loved one or a spiritual awakening could be life-saving. The final verse comes to a climax with the reference to Jesus, who saved Alan's life in a moment of desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the sun nothing is new
Life seems uneventful and unchanging.
I read the day's paper with the man on the moon
News repeats itself and the world is small.
And I can't shake the feeling
Something is bothering me internally.
Somehow I've been here before
A sense of déjà vu takes over me.
Nothing like a heartache to remind you it's beating
Pain makes one feel alive.
Like a cut to the soul says you never stop bleeding
Emotional wounds are hard to heal.
And a void fills the rooms
Emptiness surrounds me.
Like the obvious hole in the screen door
Imperfections cannot be hidden.
It's just my way to go it alone
I prefer solitude.
Stand in the rain and wait for the phone
I hold onto hope in desperate times.
Just another silent night
Another uneventful evening.
Falling awake on the inside
Mentally, I am struggling.
Who could have known you'd be here to save my life
I never expected to be rescued.
I sing hallelujah cause I do believe
I am grateful to a higher power.
That there's more to this life than just what I've seen
I have hope for a brighter future.
And maybe today is the day that you'll show me a sign
My faith remains strong.
And I'm needing you now
I require help at the present moment.
I've got a lot to say but I never know how
Expressing myself is a challenge.
It could have been a night just like this one
This evening could have been similar to others.
Hopelessly normal
Unremarkable and routine.
Painfully numb
Feeling detached and emotionless.
When you chose to reach from the heavens and open our eyes
A miraculous event.
And angels descend on the hillside
Supernatural beings arrive.
Just another mother's child
A normal human saved my life.
Jesus, you saved my life
A religious message of gratitude.
Writer(s): Paul Alan Copyright: Wordspring Music LLC
Contributed by Jordyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.