Norful, a minister who is also the son of an African Methodist Episcopal Church minister, was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas but grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, deeply involved in his father's church. He was interested in music from a very young age, reportedly picking out one-finger piano melodies from the age of two. His parents supported him with music lessons, and, unusually for his background, allowed him to experiment with and listen to the current R&B and soul music of the day as well as gospel music. Norful graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as a History major and spent four years teaching high school. In 1998 he felt "called" to the ministry, and pursued a Masters of Divinity degree at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Upon graduation and ordination, he took a position as assistant pastor at a church in Chicago. He participated in an album release by the Thompson Community Choir, a well-known gospel group, and contributed a song as well as solo vocals. He was then offered the opportunity to make a solo album for EMI Gospel, I Need You Now. The album was a slow starter but eventually went gold, spending two years in the upper reaches of the Billboard Gospel Charts.
He was nominated for and won a Grammy in 2005 for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. He is also signed to EMI-CMG Publishing and his own Norful Music Publishing as a songwriter. He performed on June 6, 2005, for President George W. Bush in a concert honoring Black Music Month.
Norful's music is best described as a fusion between gospel, 70's soul and contemporary R&B; the influences of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and other male soul/R&B vocalists of the 70's and 80's is clear.
Norful is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
On October 3rd 2006, Norful released his 3rd album, Life Changing.
In The Meantime
Smokie Norful Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many thoughts run through my head
Wondering when my turn will come
But the last thing that I want to seem
Is ungrateful for the little things
No matter what I do
Seems like I'm not getting thru
Even though I know every word you said to me
With all my heart I want to believe
What do I do in the mean time, do in between time
While I'm waiting trying to be patient
Trying to keep it all together
Yes I believe you're up to something
'Cause I feel the answers coming
Until I see what I believe
Let you love comfort me in the meantime
In the meantime, yeah
Open up my mind
I need a word from heaven
I use them all the time
But your words are more than just cliché
Still I just keep getting in my way
I've asked you what to do
Seems like I'm not getting through
Can't say that I'm not hurt
Even though I know every word you said to me
With all my heart I'm trying to believe
So what do I do in the mean time, do in between time
While I'm waiting trying to be patient
Trying to keep it all together
God I believe you're up to something
'Cause I feel the answers coming
Until I see what I believe
Let you love comfort me in the meantime
Oh, In the meantime, yeah
Can't say that there's a time when you ever let me down
What I need more than anything is to know that you're around
So what do I do in the mean time, do in between time
While I'm waiting trying to be patient
Trying to keep it all together
God I believe you're up to something
'Cause I feel the answers coming
Until I see what I believe
Let you love comfort me in the meantime
Oh, In the meantime, yeah
I need to know you're near me
I can't make it without you
Help me please oh Lord speak to me
In the meantime, in between time
In the meantime
The song "In the Meantime" by Smokie Norful talks about the feelings and thoughts that arise while waiting for something important to happen in life. The lyrics reveal the artist's struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, and impatience as he tries to navigate through life, wondering when it will be his turn to receive blessings. He acknowledges his appreciation for the little things and implies that he desires more significant events to occur for him personally.
The verse "can't say that I'm not hurt, even though I know every word you said to me, with all my heart I want to believe," suggests that he has struggled to believe what he has been told before, but still chooses to hope for the best. The artist then addresses his faith and belief in God as the solution to his problem. He asks for guidance and comfort while waiting in-between times and trusts that something wonderful is being planned for him.
The chorus of the song "In the Meantime" repeats the phrase "So what do I do in the meantime, do in between time, while I'm waiting, trying to be patient, trying to keep it all together" showing an awareness that the waiting process is a challenge as he tries to manage his emotions to remain hopeful and faithful. The final verse emphasizes the artist's dependence on God and his confidence in his presence and provision.
Line by Line Meaning
Laying awake in bed
Starting the song with the artist being awake in bed; possibly unable to sleep due to anxiety or stress.
So many thoughts run through my head
The artist's mind is preoccupied with various negative thoughts and worries.
Wondering when my turn will come
The artist is frustrated with their current situation and is eagerly waiting for an opportunity to arise.
But the last thing that I want to seem
Despite being anxious, the artist does not want to give off the impression of being ungrateful or entitled.
Is ungrateful for the little things
Acknowledging that even small blessings are still important and something to be grateful for.
No matter what I do
The artist has tried various solutions but has not found success.
Seems like I'm not getting through
The artist feels like they are not making progress or gaining any traction.
Can't say that I'm not hurt
Despite trying to stay positive, the artist is still feeling emotional pain and frustration.
Even though I know every word you said to me
The artist is reminding themselves that they have heard encouraging words in the past and is trying to hold onto that hope.
With all my heart I want to believe
The artist has a strong desire to have faith and believe that good things are coming their way.
What do I do in the mean time, do in between time
The artist is asking what actions they can take to occupy themselves while they wait for their situation to improve.
While I'm waiting trying to be patient
The artist recognizes that they need to be patient even though waiting is difficult.
Trying to keep it all together
The artist is trying to maintain their composure and stay positive.
Yes I believe you're up to something
The artist has faith that God has a plan, even if they do not see it yet.
'Cause I feel the answers coming
Despite not knowing what the future holds, the artist has a sense of hope and believes that things will improve.
Until I see what I believe
The artist needs concrete proof or evidence that things are changing before they can truly have faith.
Let you love comfort me in the meantime
The artist is relying on God's love to bring them comfort and peace in the midst of their struggles.
Open up my mind
The artist is asking God to help them have an open and receptive mind to receive guidance and wisdom.
I need a word from heaven
The artist is searching for divine inspiration or a message from God to provide direction and comfort.
I use them all the time
The artist is referring to common phrases or words of encouragement, but recognizes that they need something more.
But your words are more than just cliché
The artist acknowledges that God's words are meaningful and powerful beyond just being common phrases.
Still I just keep getting in my way
Despite wanting to have faith and believe, the artist recognizes that their own doubts and insecurities are hindering them.
I've asked you what to do
The artist has prayed for guidance and direction from God.
Can't say that I'm not getting through
The artist is not sure if their prayers are being answered or if they are truly connecting with God.
God I believe you're up to something
The artist is reiterating their faith that God has a plan and is working behind the scenes.
I need to know you're near me
The artist desires a tangible sense of God's presence and comfort.
I can't make it without you
The artist is acknowledging their own need for support and guidance from God.
Help me please oh Lord speak to me
The artist is seeking a direct message or sign from God to provide understanding and direction.
In the meantime, in between time
The artist is acknowledging that they are still waiting for things to improve, but is trying to remain patient in the meantime.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTONIO LAMAR DIXON, W. RAY NORFUL JR., PATRICK MICHAEL SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind