Phil’s path toward a country music career began in a childhood molded by two equally strong influences. The first was the ministry, which had shaped both sides of his family for generations. The other was music. Phil grew up singing in church and later became a member of the prestigious Lee Singers.
Intending to pursue a career in music after graduating from college, Phil was compelled to join the Navy after the attacks of September 11.
While stationed in Jacksonville, FL as lead singer of the Navy Band Southeast, he performed music by Garth Brooks, George Strait, Tim McGraw, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and James Taylor, a rounding out of tastes that served him well when he finally hit Idol. Then, with Country Week, it all came full circle. "Randy said, 'Dude, you're gonna have a big career in country,' and that was the night even Simon agreed," he says. "And I was thinking, 'Thank God, because this is me. I'm finally getting to do something I love to do.'"
After the 55-city Idol tour wrapped in September 2007, Phil immediately re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves. He moved his family to Nashville, signed with Lyric Street Records, and began recording his debut album with producer Wayne Kirkpatrick.
The music they’ve recorded will give listeners a look at a man who comes into his own with a hard-won maturity and self-knowledge. "I feel my job as a singer," he says, "is part of my job as a human being. I'm supposed to be touching other people's lives, doing the best I can to be a positive force in the world."
Into the Light
Phil Stacey Lyrics
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It's the way of my heart
And it's something I cannot change
I'm a man who runs from the things that he loves
I'm a man who wants his way
Only You can save me
Only You can save me
From the inside out
From the outside in
Let Your truth and Your grace change me
From the man I am and have always been
To the man that You want me to be
From the inside out
From the inside out
It's the way of the world
Or the way of Your love
And there's nothing in between
I could walk either way
But Lord, I want to stay in Your love
'Cause that's what I need
Only You can save me
Only You can save me
A man who loves mercy
Whose word is true
A man who wants nothing
But to follow You, to follow You
The lyrics of Phil Stacey's "Into The Light" illustrate the dichotomy of the world's ways versus the ways of God. The singer acknowledges that he is a man who often runs from the things he loves and seeks his own way, but realizes that only God can save him from his own internal struggle. The chorus emphasizes the need for a change within himself, from the man he has always been to the man God wants him to be. The bridge explores the choice between following the world's ways or staying in God's love, and the singer declares his desire to stay in God's love, as it is what he needs. The final verse describes the kind of man the singer wants to be, someone who loves mercy, speaks truth, and desires nothing but to follow God.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of internal conflict, but also hope for redemption and transformation. The singer recognizes his own shortcomings and his need for God's saving grace, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to God's will and transforming from the inside out.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the way of the world
The typical behavior or pattern of the world.
It's the way of my heart
The typical behavior or pattern of my heart.
And it's something I cannot change
It's a characteristic that I can't alter.
I'm a man who runs from the things that he loves
I tend to avoid the things I have a strong emotional attachment to.
I'm a man who wants his way
I'm the kind of person who wants things to go according to my wishes.
Only You can save me
You're the only one who can rescue me.
From the inside out
Your help needs to start from within me and extend outwards.
From the outside in
You need to provide me with external guidance and influence me from there to the inside.
Let Your truth and Your grace change me
Allow me to change by subjecting me to Your truth and grace.
From the man I am and have always been
From the person I've been all along.
To the man that You want me to be
To the person You have in mind for me.
It's the way of the world
The characteristic mannerism of the world we're living in.
Or the way of Your love
Or the attribute of Your love.
And there's nothing in between
These are the only two options available.
I could walk either way
I could choose any of the above two options.
But Lord, I want to stay in Your love
O God, I wish to abide in Your love.
'Cause that's what I need
Because that's what I require.
A man who loves mercy
A person who has an affectionate fondness for mercy.
Whose word is true
Whose speaking is genuine and undoubted.
A man who wants nothing
A person who doesn't seek anything.
But to follow You, to follow You
But to pursue and walk in Your footsteps.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW BRONLEEWE, NATE DEAN, JASON INGRAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind