Steve Green (b. August 1, 1956 in Portland, Oregon) is a Contemporary Chris… Read Full Bio ↴Steve Green (b. August 1, 1956 in Portland, Oregon) is a Contemporary Christian music singer notable for his vocal range (tenor 3) and flexible solo style. Over his twenty year career, Green has been honored as a four-time Grammy Award nominee, six-time Dove Award winner, has had 13 No. 1 songs, and has sold over three million albums.

Career

Green was born in Portland, Oregon to missionary parents, Charles and Jo Green. He is one of six siblings who spent much of his early life in Argentina. He studied Music at Grand Canyon University, graduating in 1976. He originally broke into Christian music with the Mobile, Alabama based youth worship group Truth. He also sang backup vocals and played bass with Sandi Patti, White Heart and the Gaither Vocal Band. In 1982, he joined the Christian rock band White Heart as a vocalist. But a difference in ministry vision accompanied by a confrontation with his brother, Randy, led to a spiritual renewal in Steve's life in 1983. He signed a solo contract with Sparrow Records, and his self-titled debut album appeared in 1984. In the same year, he established Steve Green Ministries.

His break out year came in 1985 with the release of He Holds The Keys. The album garnered Green a nomination and win as Male Vocalist of the Year in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) category. The following year, 1986, saw the release of two recordings, "For God And God Alone," and a high church style worship album entitled "A Mighty Fortress." The following year saw the release of his first Christmas recording, "Joy To The World." In early 1988, he released an album dedicated to his parents called "Find Us Faithful." As the 1980s came to an end, many of Green's songs became recognized standards including "People Need The Lord" and "Broken And Spilled Out." He was often considered the male version of Sandi Patti, using many of the same songwriters and styles as well as the traditional ending the song on a (literal) high note. Green also contributed background vocals to Patti's 1986 hit, "Let There Be Praise."

Green was one of the first artists to be involved with Promise Keepers, performing at their inaugural event at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado in July 1993 before 50,000 men. His song "Answer The Call" was inspired by the event and another song, "O Men of God Arise," embodies the Promise Keeper mentality.

Green recorded "The Mission" in 1989 and continued his success with "We Believe" in 1991. As the early 1990s direction of Christian music changed to a more rock oriented format, Green returned to traditional roots by releasing an album of hymns in 1992. Yet Green switched styles in 1994 on his "Where Mercy Begins" album. He also received the first of two career boosts due to outside events.

On September 9, 1994, a US Air jet crashed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing all aboard. One passenger was an up and coming Christian singer named Kirk Lynn. Lynn has just recorded Green's song "As We Sail To Heaven's Shore" from the 1988 "Find Us Faithful" album. Only a rough cut played at the memorial service for the passengers, grieving family members were told where to find the original song by Green, which boosted album sales for the older recording.

Green's style change continued on his 1996 recording, "The Letter." He was also instrumental in attempting to set up an accountability group for Christian artists following the adultery scandals of Michael English, Marabeth Jordan, and Sandi Patty as well as the Mike Warnke debacle. He was helped in this endeavor by Steve Camp, Wes King, and Michael W. Smith. That year also saw the release of his second Christmas album, "The First Noel."

Green changed focus again in 1998 by declaring he would only record songs that honor the Lord - songs that he could be satisfied with should it be his last recording. That year saw the release of "The Faithful" and 2000 saw the release of a devotional song album entitled "Morning Light." Two years later Green released "Woven In Time" and again found himself receiving a career boost.

Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

Green was a personal friend of Space Shuttle Columbia commander Rick Husband, who was killed along with six others in the February 2003 disintegration during reentry. Green was interviewed by CNN and his song "God Of Wonders" got a boost from the unexpected publicity. He released another album in 2005.

Green's sister is married to Dr. Mark Bailey, president of the evangelical Dallas Theological Seminary, and he helped the seminary celebrate its eightieth anniversary in April 2004. He has also written a thirty day devotional titled, "The Power of the Cross" and has recorded numerous children's videos and songs.

His bilingual abilities have seen the release of two Spanish CDs in the United States.

He is married to Marijean Green, who has testified to her own struggle with bulimia and they have two children, Summer (b. 1984) and Josiah (b. 1986).

Green has expanded his musical ministry to include videos and James Dobson's Focus on the Family.

And Can It Be
Steve Green Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And can it be that I should gain an int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love how can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me. Amazing love how can it be that thou, my god shouldst die for me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay fastbound in sin and nature's night. Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray: I woke the dungeon flamed with light. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

No condemnation now I dread: Jesus, and all in Him, is mine. Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I approach th'eternal throne, and claim the crown, thru Christ my own. Amazing love how can it be, that thou, my God, shouldst die for me

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of Steve Green's song And Can It Be, the singer expresses a sense of awe and incredulity that they should be the beneficiary of the Savior's blood. The singer wonders how they, who once caused His pain and even pursued Him to death, could be granted such a gift. The gratitude the singer feels is encapsulated in the refrain "Amazing love how can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me." The song then reveals that the singer was once imprisoned by sin and nature's darkness, but their spiritual eyes were opened by the Savior's grace. In a moment of divine transformation, they were freed from their chains and followed the Savior. Because of this experience, the singer no longer fears condemnation but boldly approaches the eternal throne, clothed in righteousness divine.

This song speaks to the transformative power of faith and grace. It acknowledges the weight of sin and the magnitude of God's sacrifice in the form of the Savior's blood. The singer's humility and recognition of their own sinfulness are countered by the overwhelming sense of gratitude they feel for the salvation they have been granted. This song is a testament to the belief that even the most flawed and undeserving individuals can find redemption and salvation through faith.

Line by Line Meaning

And can it be that I should gain an int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Is it possible for me to have a share in the blood of the Savior?

Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?
Jesus died for me, even though I was the cause of His suffering and death.

Amazing love how can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me. Amazing love how can it be that thou, my god shouldst die for me.
Wonderful love, how is it possible that you, my God, would die for me? How great is the love you have shown me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay fastbound in sin and nature's night.
My spirit was trapped in sin and darkness for a long time.

Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray: I woke the dungeon flamed with light.
Your gaze gave me new life, and the darkness was replaced with brilliant light.

My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
All my burdens and troubles were lifted, and I was able to move forward and follow you.

No condemnation now I dread: Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.
I'm no longer afraid of being judged or punished because Jesus has taken care of everything for me.

Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I approach th'eternal throne, and claim the crown, thru Christ my own.
Through Jesus, I am alive and have received divine righteousness. I can confidently approach God's throne and claim my victory because of Christ.

Amazing love how can it be, that thou, my God, shouldst die for me
Wonderful love, how is it possible that you, my God, would die for me? How great is the love you have shown me!

Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Mastermind123

7y↑7

And can it be
that I should gain
an int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me,
who caused His pain? For me, who Him
to death pursued?

Amazing love
how can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me. Amazing love
how can it be
that thou, my god shouldst die for me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fastbound in sin
and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused
a quick’ning ray:
I woke the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off,
my heart was free,
I rose, went forth,
and followed thee.

No condemnation
now I dread:
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.
Alive in Him,
my living head,
and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I approach th’eternal throne,
and claim the crown, thru Christ my own. Amazing love
how can it be,
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me.

All comments from YouTube:

Mastermind123

8y↑19

I love how manly Steve Green's voice is in every part of his vocal range. Despite the fact how high he sings, his high notes are not squeaky, Steve's high notes are masculine and extremely powerful. May God bless his talent and thank you so much the Steve Green Archives (grantgreat04) for uploading these high quality videos of this legendary gospel singer, God bless you too.