Rebecca was born in Sydney, Australia, to David and Helen Smallbone. She is the oldest of seven children, and currently lives in Los Angeles with Jacob. Rebecca took the name St. James from her grandmother, as it was her maiden name. Her album ‘’God’’ was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995. Also, ‘’Pray ‘’ was certified Gold by the RIAA on the last week of September 1999.
Rebecca's musical career began in 1990 at age 13 when she began opening shows for CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) artist Carman during his Australian tour which was promoted by her father's company, David Smallbone Promotions. That same year she recorded her first album, Refresh My Heart. In 1991 she moved to the United States upon signing with ForeFront Records, and took her stage name at the label's request.
In 1999 Rebecca received a Grammy Award for her album ''Pray'' in the Best Rock Gospel Album category. Rebecca is the eighth Australian artist or group to win a Grammy Award.
In 2003 she played the part of Maggie (Mary Magdalene) in the !HERO rock opera.
Rebecca is an open supporter of teenage sexual abstinence, and has become an unofficial spokesperson for True Love Waits. The single "Wait for Me", from her 2000 album Transform, encourages waiting to have sex until after marriage. Later that year it also became the title and focus of a 46-city tour. James wrote the song herself on a tour bus, and it became instantly popular. The song was also used on the TV program The O.C. Rebecca's first book, titled Wait for Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance, was published in 2002 and further addressed the issue.
In November of 2005, Rebecca released her highly anticipated album If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something. After not putting out a new pop/rock album since 2000, this album combines Rebecca's overall versatility in vocal and song writing to the finest degree.
Rebecca sang a song on the 2005 soundtrack, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia called "Lion" for which she won a Dove Award.
A Special Edition of If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something was released in November 2006 and included two acoustic tracks and other special features.
In 2007. Rebecca released her live CD\DVD aLIVE In Florida featuring some of her No. 1 hits as well as fan favorites.
In 2008, two compilation albums, The Ultimate Collection (Double Disc) and Greatest Hits featuring some of her biggest hits were released. The same year she also released a new book called Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, Body, & Spirit which broke into Top 10 at #9 on the CBA bestseller's list in Feb 2009. Pure is also nominated among the Top 3 books of 2009 for the youth/teen market.
The September 09' release of Loved, (Hachette/Faithwords) and the fall national film release of Sarah’s Choice capped 2009 as one of Rebecca’s most creatively diverse years.
God Help Me
Rebecca St. James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am needing change in my life
I have let the cold creep in and lock my ability to feel (deeply)
Just now a shaft of light shot through my soul
Opening up the windows and the doors
Reaching to the corners and my flaws
Showing my need
Running out of love to give
Running out of life within
God help me
I don't care who stares
Never want to be what I have been again
Grace has taken over and drawn me in and I am embracing it
Cause now I see Your light drawing me close
Overwhelming love I don't deserve
But I'll take the hope You bring, You hold it out to me
Without You
, I can't cope
The lyrics of Rebecca St. James's song God Help Me depicts the inner struggle of a person who is in need of a change in life. The song expresses a sincere cry for help, as the singer feels that they are running out of time, love, and life. The singer admits that they have allowed the "cold" to creep in and affect their ability to feel deeply. However, a moment of realization comes when a shaft of light shoots through their soul, opening up the windows and doors and reaching to the corners and flaws of their being. This moment of revelation shows the singer their need for change.
The lyrics convey a message of desperation, but also hopefulness. The singer acknowledges that they do not deserve the overwhelming love and grace that they are given, but they are still willing to embrace it. The singer confesses their need for help and admits that they cannot cope without God's help.
In summary, the lyrics of God Help Me are a plea for help and a cry for change. The song speaks to the human condition and our need for something greater than ourselves to help us when we are struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
From the deep I cry
I am crying out from the depths of my soul
I am needing change in my life
I recognize that I need to make changes in my life
I have let the cold creep in and lock my ability to feel (deeply)
I have allowed myself to become numb and unable to deeply feel emotions
Just now a shaft of light shot through my soul
I have had a profound spiritual experience that has opened me up
Opening up the windows and the doors
My spirituality has opened up new possibilities and opportunities
Reaching to the corners and my flaws
My spirituality is helping me to address my flaws and faults
Showing my need
My spiritual experience has shown me that I am in need of help
I'm running out of time to live
Running out of love to give
Running out of life within
I am feeling like I am running out of time, love, and life itself
God help me
I am crying out for God's help
I don't care who stares
I am no longer concerned with what others think of me
Never want to be what I have been again
I do not want to return to my previous state
Grace has taken over and drawn me in and I am embracing it
I have been drawn in by grace and I am fully embracing this experience
Cause now I see Your light drawing me close
I am being drawn closer to God through this spiritual experience
Overwhelming love I don't deserve
I am experiencing a love that is greater than what I feel I deserve
But I'll take the hope You bring, You hold it out to me
Without You
I am acknowledging that without God, there is no hope
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JASON INGRAM, MATT BRONLEEWE, MATTHEW RYAN BRONLEEWE, REBECCA ST. JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sprite ishere
This was something different for her and she pulled it off well. I adore her music and her message and she as a person is wonderful. I have had the pleasure of meeting her on a couple of occasions and she was so awesome each time!
Ish CG
Glory to God, this video blessed to me ...
Caleb P.
Rebecca St. James is the best. Amazingly positive message--how he's searching for something in so many places (graveyard/abandoned buildings represent the dead, faithless world around him). And he ends up in the church. Definitely can relate to all of our stories. And the church has a pipe organ, which is cool :P lol
Tommy Wales
thank God for Jesus .
Cruznick06
that's awesome! i love her music!
N Ewy
So timely, beautiful foreshadowing songs, appropriately casted
sh9683
love the song
wsqc
i love ur voice!!! very nice sing =D i liked =D God bless u :)
ChristianRockNostalgia
this song was really edgy for Rebecca and that's why i loved the CD. I just wish she would make another one with this same heavy nu mtal type sound.
Kevin
yup