Lyrically the album is teeming with the substantive lyrics that have made Chapman the most awarded artist in Christian music with 57 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, five GRAMMYs, 47 No. 1 singles and approaching 11 million albums sold. Musically there’s a sense of adventure that reflects Chapman’s ongoing willingness to experiment and leap out of his comfort zone. He’s never taken the gift of music for granted and approaches each new project both excited and humbled by the possibilities.
“I’m very, very grateful to be given the opportunity to make music and share the things that I feel like God has entrusted to me,” Chapman says. “I don’t take it lightly. I pray: ‘God, I want to know You and I want to make You known.’ God has continued faithfully to reveal Himself through dark places and reveal His mysteriousness. I get the sense that He’s telling an amazing story. He’s not confused. He’s not biting his nails worrying if the plan is going to turn out okay the way I do. He’s fully confident of His plans and He’s in control. That’s been something that I’ve held onto.”
The Glorious Unfolding is Chapman’s 18th album and his first studio album of all-original material in seven years. However, now, more than ever he felt it was time to express these steadfast messages of faithfulness, while successfully blending his trademark sound with musical creativity. “Musically, I really wanted to find those ways to make something that felt very honest and true, and yet very fresh and relevant,” Chapman says. “I felt like this had to be a little bit more exciting and energetic and I was ready to crank it up. It felt like this is the time to do that and celebrate. With this music, you will hopefully hear that and get a sense of the excitement and joy in this record.”
The album’s lead single, “Love Take Me Over,” is an exuberant anthem with an infectious melody that inspires listeners and gives the instant urge to hit repeat. “Even though it’s in the guise of a very fun, up-tempo sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs song, it’s a message and a lesson that I have continued to be in the process of learning,” Chapman says of the song. “I need to be filled with love so that I can be loving in the way I respond. I’m still learning that the only way I want to love others well in my life is when I come to terms daily, sometimes hourly, sometimes in 15 minute increments, with the fact that I am loved fully and completely, not as I should be, but as I am. That drives me, then, to a place of living a life of love for others when I realize that I am loved first. We love because He first loved us.”
One of the many highlights from the album is “Together,” a beautiful song that Chapman wrote for his wife Mary Beth. “In October, we celebrate our 29th anniversary,” he says, acknowledging that the past five years, since their youngest daughter (Maria Sue) was killed in a tragic accident, have been especially trying. “Statistics show that 90% of marriages don’t survive the loss of a child. The fact that we are together celebrating 29 years of marriage is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and God’s grace.”
Chapman delayed playing this song for Mary Beth until it was completely finished, recorded and mixed. “I sat her down and played this for her as we held hands and wept together through this celebration of God’s faithfulness,” he adds, “I’m really hopeful that this song will encourage and minister to people in a deep way.”
The Glorious Unfolding also includes a special song, “Only One and Only You,” written to encourage his daughter Shaohannah. “She’s 13, which tells you a lot of what you need to know about her,” he says with a grin. “It’s that wonderful, incredibly awful time to try to be a young lady in this world and culture. I’m just very, very proud of her and I wanted to just write a song to tell her how amazing she is.”
Other standout tracks include “Something Beautiful,” an up-tempo, forward-thinking song about the unfolding and promises of God, and watching Him turn broken things in life into something good as He’s promised. “Take Another Step,” is another high-energy declaration that talks of taking those steps of faith in times of uncertainty, when the road ahead is completely dark, whether it be good or bad, and fully trusting what God has in store.
Whether encouraging those he’s closest to in this world to see themselves as God sees them or inviting an arena full of fans to sing along in celebration of God’s faithfulness, Chapman has spent his life creating music that makes a difference. The Glorious Unfolding continues that impressive legacy. In listening to the project, it feels like a landmark album, being musically inventive, yet bursting with truth, integrity and emotional gravitas in much the same way as The Great Adventure did when that ground-breaking album released in 1992.
The latest album installment is his second record since signing with Provident Music Group in 2012. His label debut, JOY, served up holiday classics alongside his engaging original tunes. It became the latest entry in the Paducah, Kentucky native’s beloved Christmas catalog and provided Chapman and co-producer Brent Milligan a chance to explore different sounds in the studio. On The Glorious Unfolding, Chapman and Milligan reveled in the chance to experiment further to provide a fresh framework for these new songs, utilizing different textures and techniques to expand on Chapman’s signature sound.
Recorded at Chapman’s home studio, he enlisted son Will Franklin to play drums on six tracks on the album and also engaged other musical pals such as Delirious? alum Stu G on guitar and acclaimed fiddler Andy Leftwich, a member of Ricky Skaggs’ band, Kentucky Thunder, and a key creative force in the making of Chapman's Cracker Barrel release, Deep Roots. On “Sound of Your Voice,” Chapman recruited surprise guests, wife Mary Beth, daughters Emily and Stevey Joy and daughters-in-law Julia Chapman and Jillian Edwards Chapman to sing background vocals.
Recording The Glorious Unfolding was a labor of love for Chapman, helping him give voice to his own joys and challenges and he’s hopeful it will do the same for others. “The theme was this idea that God will complete the story and in fact, He already has completed it and knows the ending,” Chapman says. “Yet a part of the mystery is that He is revealing it in our lives and it’s this unfolding, incredible tale of His love for us. This album gave me a chance to tell that, to celebrate loss and hope and new life. For all of that, I’m really grateful. It really is my hope that people will hear the sound of God’s voice whispering to them: ‘I know the plans I have for you. Will you trust me? Will you trust me through the hard seasons and through the good seasons? The story is good. Will you trust me and watch it unfold?’”
Beginning in September 2014 until April 2015, Chapman revitalized the well-known concert series "Sam's Place: Music for the Spirit" concert series. The series was once a month and was held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville with featured performances by the likes of MercyMe, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Third Day.
I Do Believe
Steven Curtis Chapman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a few miles south
Of Cincinnati, Ohio
I take my pen and start to write
The thoughts that fill my head tonight
Nothing terribly profound
Just these simple words that keep my heart anchored down
They keep my restless heart anchored down
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
I know, I know, I know, I know it's true, yeah
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
Lord I believe in you
I believe in you
Now these can be confusing times
The skeptics, fools, and nice wives
It's hard to see the light
Through all the shadows of the doubt
But you keep saying all the while, it takes the vision of a child
Looking through the eyes of faith to see reality
So once again I will say
I believe you're the light, you're the truth, you're the way
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
I know, I know, I know, I know it's true, yeah
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
Lord, I believe in you
And if this faith in you is blind
It's not to anything that's true
'Cause your love opens up my eyes
To see that everything I need
Is found when I believe in you
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
I know, I know, I know, I know it's true, yeah
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
Lord, I believe in you
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
I know, I know, I know, I know it's true, yeah
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
Lord, I believe, I believe
Lord, I believe in you, yes I do
(I do, I do, I do, believe)
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
(I do, I do, I do, believe)
I believe in you, yeah
(I do, I do, I do, believe)
In "I Do Believe," Steven Curtis Chapman talks about his faith in God. He started writing the song while sitting in a traffic jam in Cincinnati, Ohio, and he writes about the thoughts that fill his head. He talks about how the times we live in can be confusing, with skeptics, fools, and naysayers making it hard to see the light through all the shadows of doubt. However, he believes that it takes the vision of a child to see reality through the eyes of faith. He believes in God as the light, the truth, and the way. He says that he believes in God and everything that comes with it, and that his faith in God has opened up his eyes and shown him everything he needs.
The song is a reflection of Chapman's deep faith and personal beliefs. Throughout the song, he repeats the line, "I do believe," as if he's trying to reaffirm his faith in God to himself. He acknowledges that his faith may be seen as blind by some, but he believes that it's not to anything that's untrue. He uses the repetition of "I do, I know, I believe" to emphasize the strength and conviction of his faith. Overall, "I Do Believe" is a personal declaration of faith and an encouragement to others who may struggle with the doubts that come with living in a confusing and complicated world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting in a traffic jam, 11:52 pm
The singer is currently stuck in traffic at almost midnight.
Just a few miles south
The location is a few miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Of Cincinnati, Ohio
The location is near Cincinnati, Ohio.
I take my pen and start to write
The artist takes out a pen to write.
The thoughts that fill my head tonight
The artist is writing down their current thoughts.
Nothing terribly profound
The thoughts are not particularly deep or insightful.
Just these simple words that keep my heart anchored down
The words the singer is writing down are keeping them grounded and centered.
They keep my restless heart anchored down
The words help calm the artist's restless heart.
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
The artist is expressing their belief in something.
I know, I know, I know, I know it's true, yeah
The artist is certain that what they believe is true.
Lord I believe in you
The singer is specifically expressing their belief in the Lord.
Now these can be confusing times
The current time period can be confusing.
The skeptics, fools, and nice wives
There are skeptics and foolish people who doubt.
It's hard to see the light
It's difficult to see the truth or positivity in the situation.
Through all the shadows of the doubt
There are many doubts or uncertainties clouding the situation.
But you keep saying all the while, it takes the vision of a child
Despite the confusion, the Lord reminds the artist that they need to see with childlike faith.
Looking through the eyes of faith to see reality
The artist needs to view reality through the lens of faith.
So once again I will say
The singer is reaffirming their belief.
I believe you're the light, you're the truth, you're the way
The singer is expressing their belief that the Lord is the guiding light and truth.
And if this faith in you is blind
The artist acknowledges that their faith may not be based on logical reasoning or proof.
It's not to anything that's true
However, the artist believes that their faith is true and meaningful.
'Cause your love opens up my eyes
The artist believes that the Lord's love helps them see reality more clearly.
To see that everything I need
The singer realizes that they have all they need through their faith.
Is found when I believe in you
The artist believes that their faith in the Lord is the key to finding fulfillment and happiness.
Lord, I believe, I believe
The singer is still reaffirming their belief in the Lord.
I believe in you, yes I do
The singer is expressing their belief in the Lord one more time.
(I do, I do, I do, believe)
Repetition of the earlier refrain.
I do, I do, I do, I do believe
Repetition of the earlier refrain.
(I do, I do, I do, believe)
Repetition of the earlier refrain.
I believe in you, yeah
Reaffirmation of belief in the Lord.
(I do, I do, I do, believe)
Final repetition of the refrain.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Steven Chapman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind