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.
Meant to Be
Steven Curtis Chapman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A dream was coming true
God wanted to give a gift to the world
So he wrapped it up in you
Every step that you've taken
Every move that you make
Is part of his plan
You were meant to be touching
The lives that you touch
And meant to be here
Making this world so much more
Than it would be without you in it
You were meant to be bringing
The gifts that you bring
And singing the songs
You've been given to sing
You are perfectly, wonderfully,
Beautifully meant to be, yeah
You were meant to be
Long before you took your first fall
You stumbled to the ground
God started telling the story of you, to the angels gathered around
Every failure and victory
Everything in between
Its all in his hand
You were meant to be touching
The lives that you touch
And meant to be here
Making this world so much more
Than it would be without you in it
You were meant to be bringing
The gifts that you bring
And singing the songs
You've been given to sing
You are perfectly, wonderfully,
Beautifully meant to be, yeah
You were meant to be
You are
You are
You are meant to be
You are
You are
You are meant to be
For every breath that you're taking
And every move that you make
It's a meaningful life you've been given
So live it well
You were meant to be touching
The lives that you touch
And meant to be here
Making this world so much more
Than it would be without you in it
You were meant to be bringing
The gifts that you bring
And singing the songs
You've been given to sing
You are perfectly, wonderfully,
Beautifully meant to be, yeah
You were meant to be, yeah
You were meant to be, yeah
You were meant to be
To be
You were meant to be
The song "Meant to Be" by Steven Curtis Chapman is a reminder that every individual has a unique gift that they are meant to share with the world. The first verse highlights the idea that every person is a gift from God to the world, and their purpose is to enrich the lives of others. The second verse emphasizes that failure and struggles are a part of everyone's journey, but the story of their life is still meaningful and significant in God's plan.
Throughout the song, Chapman encourages listeners to embrace their true identity and to use their unique talents to touch others' lives positively. The chorus emphasizes the idea that every individual is meant to be here, bringing their gifts and singing their songs to make the world a better place.
Overall, "Meant to Be" is an inspiring song that reminds listeners that they are valued and have a purpose in the world. It encourages people to embrace their true identity and use their gifts to make a positive impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Long before you drew your first breath
Even before you were born, God had a plan for you
A dream was coming true
God had a dream of bringing something special to the world through you
God wanted to give a gift to the world
God saw something unique in you that would be a blessing to the world
So he wrapped it up in you
He put that special quality within you
Every step that you've taken
Every action you have taken
Every move that you make
Every decision and choice you make
Is part of his plan
All of these actions are leading to something bigger in God's plan
Long before you took your first fall
Even before you made mistakes and stumbled in life
You stumbled to the ground
You experienced failure and setbacks
God started telling the story of you, to the angels gathered around
God has a story to tell about your life, even to his angels
Every failure and victory
Every mistake you've made, as well as every success you've achieved
Everything in between
All the ups and downs in life
Its all in his hand
God is in control of everything in your life
For every breath that you're taking
For every moment of life you experience
It's a meaningful life you've been given
Your life has a purpose and meaning
So live it well
Make the most out of your life and fulfill your purpose
You were meant to be touching
You are meant to impact the lives of others positively
The lives that you touch
The people you interact with and influence
And meant to be here
You are meant to be living in this world
Making this world so much more than it would be without you in it
Your presence and actions make a positive difference in the world
You were meant to be bringing
You are meant to share the unique gifts and talents that God gave you
The gifts that you bring
Your special abilities and talents that only you can offer
And singing the songs
And expressing your unique voice and message to the world
You've been given to sing
The talents and abilities that are uniquely yours
You are perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully meant to be
You are exactly as you were meant to be, exactly as God intended
You were meant to be
Your life has a specific purpose and meaning
To be
You exist for a reason
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind