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.
You Are Loved
Rebecca St. James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I went my way, you went yours, where did you go, dear?
Someone said you had left the life we lived together then
This is my way of reaching out ‘cause I remember…
This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to speak to your heart
You are loved
This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to tell you something
You are loved
More than you can imagine
Imagine
If I told you would you believe, the narrow road, I did not leave
If I told you would you understand that I've found truth
Are you jaded? Are you hurting now? How I wish that I could tell
Where your heart's at…can you see? Mine has found – home
Not sure if I've, made it clear enough
It's not my love I sing about
Everybody asks, “Is God good?”
I believe, He is
In fact I know, He is
The first verse sets the stage for the song. It starts with the singer looking back at a time where they were younger and full of dreams with someone else. However, they went separate ways, and the singer realizes that the person they were with may have moved on from that life. The singer then reaches out through the song to let that person know that they are loved and missed, and the singer hopes that the person can see that they too have found their own way in life.
The chorus affirms the message of the song, which is that this person is loved more than they could ever know. The singer wishes that they had the chance to speak to them directly and tell them that they are loved beyond measure. The second verse tells us that the singer has found truth in their life and has not strayed from the narrow road. The singer questions if the person they are talking to is hurting or jaded, and wishes they could share their own experiences of finding peace and understanding with them. The verse ends with the singer expressing that their heart has found home, and they hope the same for the person they are trying to reach.
Overall, the song is a powerful message of love, hope, and finding one's way. The singer wants to remind this person that they are valuable and loved, and that there is hope for finding your own path in life. It is also a message of faith and belief in God's goodness, which the singer shares as a source of their own personal strength and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
We were younger then, you and me, full of dreams, weren't we?
Back when we were young and had grand aspirations, we dreamed of a wonderful future together, didn't we?
I went my way, you went yours, where did you go, dear?
As we went our separate paths in life, I lost touch with you, and I wonder where you are now, my dear friend.
Someone said you had left the life we lived together then
I heard that you left the lifestyle we once shared together, which made me feel disconnected from you.
This is my way of reaching out ‘cause I remember…
I am using this song as a way to communicate with you because I still remember our friendship fondly.
This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to speak to your heart
You are loved
More than you could ever know
If I had the chance to speak with you, I want you to know that you are loved more than you can imagine.
This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to tell you something
You are loved
More than you can imagine
Imagine
If I had only one opportunity to pass a message to you, it would be to make sure you understand the extent of your worth - you are adored beyond measure.
If I told you would you believe, the narrow road, I did not leave
If I were to tell you that I am still on the right path, would you believe me?
If I told you would you understand that I've found truth
If you knew the truth, would you understand that I've found the answers to questions that I used to struggle with?
Are you jaded? Are you hurting now? How I wish that I could tell
Where your heart's at…can you see? Mine has found – home
I wonder if life has been hard on you, and if you are troubled. If only I knew where you were emotionally, but can you see that my own heart has found a sense of belonging?
Not sure if I've, made it clear enough
It's not my love I sing about
Everybody asks, “Is God good?”
I believe, He is
In fact I know, He is
I am not only singing about my own love but rather, about the unconditional love that God has for you. Some people ask, 'Is God truly good?' and I am answering with a resounding 'yes, I know that God is good.'
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: GOODMAN, JAMES, MELLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind