In 1984, Dillard joined the late Milton Brunson's Thompson Community Singers. At the same time, he started hanging out with renowned club DJ Frankie Knuckles and began recording dance and hip-hop records. Aside from a half dozen-guest appearances on various dance tracks, Dillard recorded his own album "Let The Music Use You" which was released in Europe and was imported into the United States. In spite of his growing success in the club market, Dillard says, "My heart was in the gospel. I always wanted to do gospel. The other stuff was just an opportunity to record. I wanted to bring a more contemporary style into gospel for choirs." It's those contemporary innovations in gospel that have caught Kirk Franklin and the Winans explaining their motivations to the more sanctified members of the church at times. "I don't criticize because I believe all music was created to praise God and all we're doing is taking back what the devil stole from us and using it to please God."
Dillard says God led him to found the New Generation Chorale in 1988. The next year they won the McDonald's Chicagoland Choir competition. One day he met producer Butch McGee in a parking lot. McGee had heard of him and signed Dillard's group on their reputation alone. New G's first album "The Promise" was released in 1990 and won them a Grammy nomination and a GMWA Excellence award in 1991. The next year the choir was featured in Steve Martin's movie "Leap of Faith." By the time their second live album "A Holy Ghost Take Over" debuted in 1993, Dillard was a consultant on Whoopie Goldberg's "Sister Act II" movie and the choir had appeared on a PBS Television Special "Going Home To Gospel” featuring Patti La Belle and Albertina Walker. In 1994 New G won their first Stellar Award for contemporary choir of the year and recorded all the background vocals for Gospel Queen Albertina Walker's Stellar Award winning album "He Keeps On Blessing Me." "It was a delight to work with the Queen," Dillard laughs just thinking of the experience. "She keeps me laughing." In 1995 New G's third album "Hallelujah" was released and the choir had its first club hit. They collaborated with Frankie Knuckles and Adeva on "Walkin'" from their "Welcome to the Real World'" album. The Virgin Records single became a Top 20 hit on Billboard magazine's club chart.
By 1996 New G had moved to Detroit-based Crystal Rose Records. Their debut "Worked It Out" sold 30,000 pre-orders out of the box. New G had their biggest promotional push yet. The album premiered at Dillard's alma mater before 1,500 screaming students. They capped the push off with a listening party/concert at the Cubby Bear nightclub and a Record Town appearance that rang up almost $10,000 in one day sales. The album quickly jumped to the Billboard gospel top ten and stayed on the chart for months. Then, in 2000 the group leaped back on the charts with the scorcher “No Limit” CD. The single “The Holy Place,” a classic choir vocal with a subtle hip-hop rhythm, buoyed the sales. Beginning back in 1997, the group made their first tour of Europe where they were particularly successful in Germany. "I was surprised that we were so embraced," Dillard says. "But years before I told the choir that we were going to be international and God made that happen for us." Aside from international acclaim, the group has opened for Patti LaBelle and Bonnie Raitt among others. In 2004, the group released top seller, “Unplugged…The Way Church Used To Be”, an album that revisited traditional church choir anthems and incorporated the “Ricky Dillard Sound”.
Now in a new stage in his life, Ricky decided to take more control of career. In 2006, he parted ways with Crystal Rose Records and started his own label, Animated Entertainment Inc. With backing from Alliant Music Group and EMI Gospel, this company is ready to soar. The first project from the label is the new Ricky Dillard & New G project entitled The 7th Episode: “Live in Toronto”. This historical project will definitely delight the ears of many as it truly defines a new level of ministry for Ricky & his aggregation.
The Light
Ricky Dillard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Light of the world, Jesus
He's the light,
He is, the light of the world
He's the light,
Light of the world,
He's the light,
He's ever shining, shining in my soul,
Soul-ou-ou-oul-every shining,
Shining in my soul.
When darkness comes,
Don't fret or cry,
Just call on Jesus and do as I.
Let me tell ya He will save your soul,
Renew your strength,
Open up your heart and let the light come in,
He's ever shining, shining in my soul...
(Soul-ou-ou-oul--every shining,
Shining in my soul)
God's word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,
Everywhere I go I'll take my light
So that men might see Christ in me
Ever, shining, ever, shining
Jesus is ever, shining, ever, shining.
Shining in my soul, ou-ou-oul every shining,
Shining in my soul, my soul ever shining, shining in my soul ou-ou-oul
Ever shining (3x)
Jesus is ever, shining, ever shining (x's)
Shining in my soul
Soul-ou-ou-oul ever shining
Shining in my soul
In Ricky Dillard's song The Light, the repeated chorus and title make it clear that the song is about Jesus as the light of the world. The verses reinforce this theme by describing how darkness comes, but calling on Jesus will bring salvation, strength, and the light of Christ into one's heart. The song also alludes to the Bible verse Psalm 119:105 where God's word is described as a lamp unto one's feet and a light unto one's path. The song encourages individuals to carry the light of Jesus with them everywhere they go so that others may see Christ in them.
Overall, this song speaks to the power of faith and the hope that can be found in Jesus, especially during difficult times. The repeated chorus and upbeat tempo create a sense of joy and celebration. The song is both a reminder of the importance of faith and a call to action to share the light of Christ with others.
Line by Line Meaning
He's the light,
Jesus is the light that is shining in this world
Light of the world, Jesus
Jesus is the light that guides and leads us all
He is, the light of the world
Jesus is the one who shines the light of truth and salvation
He's ever shining, shining in my soul,
The light of Jesus is always shining in my soul, bringing me peace and hope
Soul-ou-ou-oul-every shining,
The light of Jesus is within my soul and shines brightly
When darkness comes,
In times of darkness and trouble
Don't fret or cry,
Do not worry or despair
Just call on Jesus and do as I.
Ask Jesus for help and trust in Him
Let me tell ya He will save your soul,
Jesus will save your soul and give you eternal life
Renew your strength,
Jesus will give you strength and courage
Open up your heart and let the light come in,
Allow Jesus to enter your heart and shine His light within you
God's word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,
The word of God (the Bible) guides and shows us the way to go
Everywhere I go I'll take my light
As a follower of Jesus, I will take His light with me wherever I go
So that men might see Christ in me
Through my actions and words, others may see Jesus reflected in me
Jesus is ever, shining, ever, shining.
Jesus' light is always shining and never fades
Soul-ou-ou-oul every shining,
The light of Jesus within my soul continues to shine and grow stronger
Shining in my soul
The light of Jesus shines within me and brings me joy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JONNA EMILY LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FeelTheBurns Alissa&AJ
This was first solo I was eleven years old and now I’m 23 and still love it
Raquel McDowell
I Loooovvveeee this song and just cant stop listening to it!!!!!
MarzFromAfar
Sooo many memories!!! I used to kill my drum set to this song and be feeling it in my soul fr ❤️🔥✊🏽
Luke Campbell
musically this has left me speechless that was just amazing :)
Shamonica Powell
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
My song
jermainerazor84
Shamonica Powell preaching this text tmrrw! Pray God is glorified...💯 thank u.
Cecilia Ingram
Hallelujah JESUS IS THE LIGHT ALL OVER THE WORLD. AMEN AMEN AMEN
Da’shaun Thompson
That note 0:46 straight 🔥. They knew they was bad!!
Joshua Patterson
Omg them sapranos.....just wonderful 🙏🏿🙏🏿
Zibby Zee
This is my JAM!!!!!!!!!