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 Middle
Smokie Norful Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you were alone
I'm in the middle
When you were in need
When you couldn't see
I'm right there in the middle, in the middle of
I was there when you didn't know your right from wrong
I was there when your friends walked out on you
When you searched and found all of your family was gone
I was there, I heard every plea
I'll come running everytime
Be strong, I'm right there in the middle, in the middle of
Smokie Norful's song "In the Middle" is a powerful message about the presence of God in our lives. The lyrics highlight that even in our darkest moments, God is there in the middle, providing comfort and support. The opening lines "When you cried, when you were sad, When you were alone" reveal the feelings of loneliness and despair we face during difficult times, but the singer assures us that we are not alone, and God is right there in the middle of it all.
The chorus emphasizes God's ever-presence, "I was there in the middle of your pain, I was there when your friends walked out on you, When you searched and found all of your family was gone." These lines depict the singer's unwavering faith in God and his belief that God never leaves us, even when we lose our way. The song encourages us to keep our faith and to be strong, knowing that God is always right there in the middle, ready to comfort us and guide us back onto the right path.
Overall, "In the Middle" is a deeply spiritual and moving song that highlights the importance of faith and conveys a message of hope and reassurance to listeners. It encourages us to draw on our faith during difficult times, knowing that God is always in the middle, watching over us and providing us with strength and support.
Line by Line Meaning
When you cried, when you were sad
I was there to comfort you, wipe your tears, and make sure you felt loved.
When you were alone
I never left you, even in your loneliest moments, I remained by your side.
I'm in the middle
I am the glue connecting you to a life of happiness and peace through our relationship.
When you were in need
I was there to lend a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, and a listening ear.
When you couldn't see
During the darkest periods of your life, I never faltered. I stayed close to your side, patiently waiting for your light to shine again.
I'm right there in the middle, in the middle of
At every step of your journey, I have been there as a consistent and dependable source of support.
I was there in the middle of your pain
I have witnessed your struggles and felt your pain. Nevertheless, I remained with you and did everything I could to comfort and heal you.
I was there when you didn't know your right from wrong
When you felt lost in your choices, I helped guide you and showed you the right path to take.
I was there when your friends walked out on you
During the times when you felt abandoned and alone, I stood with you, letting you know you were never by yourself.
When you searched and found all of your family was gone
I saw the sadness and pain within your heart when you realized your family's absence, comforting you and giving you hope for a brighter future.
I was there, I heard every plea
I have always been attentive to your every request, listening to your cries for help and support.
I'll come running everytime
I'll never give up on you or fail to be there in your times of need.
Be strong, I'm right there in the middle, in the middle of
No matter how challenging the situation, know that you are not alone. I am always here, providing comfort and support to help you stay strong.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SMOKIE NORFUL (16351)
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind