1) Petra is a Christia… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Petra is a Christian Rock band formed in 1972 by Bob Hartman, Bill Glover, John DeGroff, and Greg Hough. "Petra" means "rock" in NT Greek, making the band name a triple pun. Rising from the Jesus music movement, and initially signed to [recordlabel]Myrrh Records[/recordlabel], they fought to gain acceptance and recognition in a church culture that at the time believed rock music to be off-limits. Over time they eventually won over most of their critics, thanks to a steady approach and some solid adult contemporary airplay hits like "The Coloring Song," outside of their usual rock fare. By the mid-80's, when lead singer Greg X. Volz left the band and was replaced by John Schlitt, Petra had solidified their place as the foremost Christian rock band in the industry with a string of hit albums and singles and strong touring. The release of Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out marked a turn towards modern-sounding worship music that would soon explode into the modern worship movement.
Petra was nominated for and won numerous Grammy and Dove Awards. In 1991, after the release of their acclaimed Beyond Belief record, Petra became the first rock band ever to win for Group of the Year at the Dove Awards. They were also the first Christian rock band to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
For three decades Petra continued to produce albums despite changes in their line-up as well as the genre and market. On May 24th, 2005 Petra announced their retirement after 33 years of ministry. They recorded one of their final performances in Franklin, Tennessee to release it as their last album, Farewell. Their last performance finished in the early hours of January 1, 2006 in Murphy, North Carolina. Bob Hartman and John Schlitt continue to tour under the moniker II Guys From Petra.
Lineups through the years:
Early 80's Captured in Time & Space lineup: Bob Hartman, Greg X. Volz, John Slick, Mark Kelly, Louie Weaver, John Lawry
Late 80's "Beyond Belief dream team" lineup: Bob Hartman, John Schlitt, John Lawry, Louie Weaver, Ronny Cates
Late 90's Petra Praise 2 - We Need Jesus lineup: John Schlitt, Louie Weaver, Lonnie Chapin, Pete Orta, Kevin Brandow
Farewell CD lineup: John Schlitt, Bob Hartman, Greg Bailey, Paul Simmons, with special appearances by Greg X. Volz and John Lawry
More members: Rob Frazier, Jim Cooper, David Lichens, Trent Thomason, Bryce Bell, Quinton Gibson, Justin Johnson
See also http://www.petraband.com/
God Gave Rock and Roll to You
Petra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul of everyone.
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul of everyone.
You can learn to dance
Or you can be a square
But where will you be when the music's gone?
You can learn to sing
You can play guitar
You can learn to rock
You can be a star
But where will you be when the music's gone?
If you love the sound
Then don't forget the source
You can turn around,
You can change your course,
'Cause it's never too late to change your mind.
You can love the rock
And let Him free you soul
Or you can let the old man take his toll
It's never too late to change your mind.
Petra's song "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" is a tribute to the power of music and its ability to transcend cultural barriers and reach people from all walks of life. The song emphasizes the importance of recognizing the source of music and using it as a positive force for personal growth and liberation. The lyrics remind the listener that, while music can be a fleeting pleasure, its impact can be profound and transformative long after the final note has faded.
The chorus of the song is a repeated declaration of gratitude for the gift of rock and roll. The lyrics suggest that the genre has the power to touch everyone's soul, regardless of age, race, or background. The verses expand on this theme, urging the listener to embrace the freedom and energy inherent in rock music and to use it to explore new paths in life. The line "It's never too late to change your mind" encapsulates the song's central message of personal agency and the ability to chart one's own course in life.
Line by Line Meaning
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
The gift of rock and roll music is from God and it belongs to everyone.
Put it in the soul of everyone.
The music has a profound impact on people's innermost being.
You can learn to dance
One can acquire the skill to move rhythmically to music.
Or you can be a square
Alternatively, they can have an unadventurous and conventional life.
You can let the music take you anywhere
The music can lead you to new and exciting places.
But where will you be when the music's gone?
When the music inevitably comes to an end, what will you have left?
You can learn to sing
One can practice and improve their ability to produce musical sounds vocally.
You can play guitar
One can master the technique of producing music from the strings of the guitar.
You can learn to rock
One can acquire the necessary skills to perform and enjoy rock music.
You can be a star
It is possible to be elevated to a position of great popularity and acclaim through their musical talent.
If you love the sound
For those who are fond of the music,
Then don't forget the source
They should remember the origin and reason for the existence of rock and roll music.
You can turn around,
It is not too late to make a change in their life.
You can change your course,
They are free to alter the direction of their life.
'Cause it's never too late to change your mind.
It's always a good time to re-evaluate their choices and make changes.
You can love the rock
One can have a strong affection for rock and roll music.
And let Him free your soul
Furthermore, they can let God liberate their thoughts and feelings.
Or you can let the old man take his toll
Alternatively, they can allow the weight of the world to affect their spirit negatively.
It's never too late to change your mind.
It is always possible to reconsider and make different choices.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RUSS BALLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheAwesomeDerek
Petra is one of the best bands ever. They have a ton of good songs. This song is one of the greatest!
29
Amen!
Steve Betker
That’s the truth. John 3:16
Susan Brewer
Russ Ballard wrote it, but Petra’s version is definitely the coolest
Paul Boyle
This version has that 70's sound to it like the original version. I love it.
David Ragsdale
I know Russ Ballard wrote this song for his band, but Petra's 1977 version and reprise at the end to me are still the best of all versions!
Cody Flake
I’ve heard all Argent, Petra, and KISS do this song and I still have no favorites because they are all different. I like how Argent does it a little softer than the others, Petra makes a build-up to the song, and KISS must have practiced daily to have everything and everyone when they sang this. That is the awesome thing about bands, they have to do things their way even it’s a song that has been done before.
Lakisha Toussaint
Still powerful and beautiful in November 2021!!! Gloria a Dios🙌🏽
BarrioFabulous
This song, man. God gave rock'n'roll to you! Put it in the soul of everyone.
Sarai Leon
I love this song, and the fact that we have different versions to listen and to enjoy, depending on what kind of rock you like. I respect Petra's versions of this song (this and the live version). Kiss version is OK. Bride's version is interesting and I like it too.