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/
Magic Words
Petra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't say the magic words to please you
'Cause you might decide to judge me
By what I say to you and not what I do
Hide behind my words
I won't hide behind my words carefully
Cause I'd rather let you see me
(Chorus)
"I want you to be free,"
Jesus said that to me
Why should things that we say
Have to get in the way
Say the proper words
I won't say the proper words to belong
But I'll speak and then I'll listen
And let Jesus make the tie strong
Play the proper words
I won't play the proper words like a game
Cause we'd better have in common
A lot more than words to call the body our name
Why can't we deal in spirit
Not empty words and phrases
That we've learned to recognize
But barely understand
Designed to reassure us
That if words are in their places
Than our hearts must be there too
We really must understand
Whoa!
That's not the way it should be
Say the magic words
Say the magic words
Don't say the magic words
Please don't say the magic words
Please don't
Please don't say the magic words
Say the magic words
Say the magic words
Petra's song Magic Words is all about the importance of authenticity and sincerity in our communication with others. The opening lines set the stage for the song's message: "Say the magic words, I won't say the magic words to please you, 'cause you might decide to judge me by what I say to you and not what I do." Here, the singer is refusing to say what someone else wants to hear just to earn their approval or avoid criticism. Instead, they value truth and honesty, even if that means facing judgment or rejection.
The song then goes on to contrast "proper words" and "magic words" with real communication in the Spirit. The singer rejects empty words that are designed to manipulate or impress others and instead advocates for a deeper level of connection where we speak from the heart and listen deeply to one another. In the chorus, the singer recalls the words of Jesus calling us to freedom, and wonders why we continue to rely on words that "get in the way" of that freedom.
Overall, Petra's Magic Words is a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking and living our truth, rather than trying to manipulate others with empty words. It is a call to deeper, more authentic communication that acknowledges the Spirit within us and the sacred worth of all those we encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
Say the magic words
Please say what I want to hear
I won't say the magic words to please you
I won't compromise who I am to make you happy
'Cause you might decide to judge me
You might form an opinion of me based solely on my words
By what I say to you and not what I do
Ignoring my actions as indicators of my character
Hide behind my words
To be dishonest and not let you see my true self
I won't hide behind my words carefully
I won't be cautious in expressing who I really am
'Cause I'd rather let you see me
I'd rather be authentic
For what I am and not what you hope that I'll be
Instead of conforming to your expectations
"I want you to be free,"
Jesus desires for us to live in freedom
Jesus said that to me
It is through His teachings that we can find true freedom
Why should things that we say
Our words shouldn't be a barrier to this freedom
Have to get in the way
They shouldn't hinder us from being true to ourselves and others
Say the proper words
Choosing my words based on what I think others want to hear
I won't say the proper words to belong
I won't pretend to be someone I'm not in order to fit in
But I'll speak and then I'll listen
I will communicate honestly and actively listen to others
And let Jesus make the tie strong
Trusting in Jesus to strengthen our relationships
Play the proper words
Treating conversation as a performance rather than authentic communication
I won't play the proper words like a game
I won't participate in insincere conversation for the sake of appearances
Cause we'd better have in common
We need to have shared values, beliefs, and experiences
A lot more than words to call the body our name
It takes more than just the ability to speak to form a genuine connection
Why can't we deal in spirit
Why can't we place more emphasis on the intangible aspects of ourselves
Not empty words and phrases
Instead of meaningless chatter
That we've learned to recognize
We've been taught to value superficial conversation
But barely understand
Without really comprehending its true impact
Designed to reassure us
Conversations that just aim to provide a sense of comfort and safety
That if words are in their places
As long as we create the illusion of understanding through certain words and phrases
Than our hearts must be there too
We assume that our emotions are authentically expressed
We really must understand
But we need to come to terms with the reality
Whoa!
An exclamation of surprise or realization
That's not the way it should be
Our communication should be more meaningful and genuine
Please don't say the magic words
I don't want to hear more meaningless conversation
Say the magic words
But at the same time, I want to believe that everything is okay and easy
Say the magic words
I want to believe that there's a simple solution to our communication problems
Contributed by Camden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carlosalbertogodino9639
(Translate to Spanish)
Di las palabras mágicas
No diré las palabras mágicas para complacerte
Porque podrías decidir juzgarme
Por lo que te digo y no por lo que hago
Esconderse detrás de mis palabras
No me esconderé detrás de mis palabras con cuidado
Porque prefiero dejarte verme
Por lo que soy y no por lo que esperas que sea
(Coro)
"Quiero que seas libre"
Jesús me dijo eso
¿Por qué las cosas que decimos?
Tengo que estorbar
Di las palabras adecuadas
No diré las palabras adecuadas para pertenecer
Pero hablaré y luego escucharé
Y deja que Jesús haga fuerte el lazo
Juega las palabras adecuadas
No jugaré las palabras adecuadas como un juego
Porque será mejor que tengamos en común
Mucho más que palabras para llamar al cuerpo nuestro nombre
¿Por qué no podemos tratar en espíritu?
No palabras y frases vacías
Que hemos aprendido a reconocer
Pero apenas entiendo
Diseñado para tranquilizarnos
Que si las palabras están en su lugar
Que nuestros corazones también deben estar allí
Realmente debemos entender
¡Guau!
Esa no es la forma en que debería ser
Di las palabras mágicas
Di las palabras mágicas
No digas las palabras mágicas
Por favor no digas las palabras mágicas
Por favor no
Por favor no digas las palabras mágicas
Di las palabras mágicas
Di las palabras mágicas
@carlosalbertogodino9639
(Translate to Spanish)
Di las palabras mágicas
No diré las palabras mágicas para complacerte
Porque podrías decidir juzgarme
Por lo que te digo y no por lo que hago
Esconderse detrás de mis palabras
No me esconderé detrás de mis palabras con cuidado
Porque prefiero dejarte verme
Por lo que soy y no por lo que esperas que sea
(Coro)
"Quiero que seas libre"
Jesús me dijo eso
¿Por qué las cosas que decimos?
Tengo que estorbar
Di las palabras adecuadas
No diré las palabras adecuadas para pertenecer
Pero hablaré y luego escucharé
Y deja que Jesús haga fuerte el lazo
Juega las palabras adecuadas
No jugaré las palabras adecuadas como un juego
Porque será mejor que tengamos en común
Mucho más que palabras para llamar al cuerpo nuestro nombre
¿Por qué no podemos tratar en espíritu?
No palabras y frases vacías
Que hemos aprendido a reconocer
Pero apenas entiendo
Diseñado para tranquilizarnos
Que si las palabras están en su lugar
Que nuestros corazones también deben estar allí
Realmente debemos entender
¡Guau!
Esa no es la forma en que debería ser
Di las palabras mágicas
Di las palabras mágicas
No digas las palabras mágicas
Por favor no digas las palabras mágicas
Por favor no
Por favor no digas las palabras mágicas
Di las palabras mágicas
Di las palabras mágicas
@MegaMaverick777
this is a lovely album. a unique beauty of its own. i can't get tired listening to these songs
@harshstonewhite83
To this day I'm still bummed they couldn't fit this on the 2-in-1 cd realease w/ Never Say Die. It was probably the hardest rocking song on WWT. They could have bumped 'Mary's Song' which I like don't get me wrong, and left space for this one. I can live without (Couldn't Find Love) Without You, but this one needs to be pressed to cd.
@lukasjacobi1147
On LP, maybe MC only, 1 of 2 songs not yet on cd ... Great rockin' melody, the VERY early years "Jesus Freaks" Days. Great. Petra Freaks know this 😁
THIS IS HOW A HISTORY MAKER BAND STARTET DECADES AGO. Christians were VERY brave listeners :-) in these days. PETRA helped to break through barriers and bring the good music in.
@JaceFincham
Or... StarSong could have just released the two albums on CD separately, like any normal record label would do. They likely did it this way to save on production costs, but it's stupid if you ask me. Unfortunately, we'll probably never get a proper CD release for this album, or remastered versions of this song and (Couldn't Find Love) Without You.
@clintonwilcox4690
Agreed. This is probably the best song on the album (in my opinion) and yet it got removed from the CD pressing. But thankfully the CD has been remastered and released in its entirety by Girder Music.
@JaceFincham
Rob Frazier's voice reminds me of Lou Gramm from Foreigner just a little bit. Both are great vocalists.
@SlipperySoap
I see what you mean!
@SlipperySoap
Groovy 💓 🪘! Love ❤️ it!
@Edduufotografo
Petra Means Rock