In 1991, she released her debut album, Wakened by the Wi… Read Full Bio ↴1991-1993[edit]
In 1991, she released her debut album, Wakened by the Wind, which became the top-selling debut in the history of the Sparrow Records label, with Ashton repeatedly reaching number one in the Christian charts that year. She was nominated for a Dove award for New Artist of the Year and won a CCM readers and reporters poll for Best New Artist. Ashton claimed that her fondest memories with Sparrow Records were during the recording of her first album, "That was so special and since I was so young and green, there was a real innocence in that process that's still beautiful to me. I can listen to anything on that record, and it's all very clear with distinct emotions attached to making it. I love everything about the lyrics, musicianship and instrumentation. There's one song, "No One Knows My Heart," where the drummer played a shoebox. On "Suffer in Silence," one of the instruments credited was a "pencil guitar."[1]
In 1992, her second album, Angels of Mercy, produced four CCM number one singles and was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Gospel Album category.
On her eponymous 1993 release, Ashton was quoted during the recording of the album track "Heart Like a Rock, "I was messing around doing vocals and singing along trying to sound like an electric guitar. We actually recorded it and that sound of me imitating the guitar is still kept in the final record. There was so much fun stuff on all those records and they were all a reflection of growth and maturity and life experience through those years."[1]
Ashton won the 1993 CCM readers award for Favorite Inspirational Album and a reporters poll for Best Female Artist. Later that year, she married John David Cunningham.
1994-1997[edit]
In 1994, Ashton, in collaboration with CCM artists Margaret Becker and Out of the Grey's Christine Denté, released a trio album Along the Road. The title track is a remake of the composition by Dan Fogelberg, while the remaining songs are original to this album. Lead vocals are split evenly among the three singers.
Also in 1994, Garth Brooks approached Ashton to open for him on his European Tour. She stated in 2005,"I did a leg of his '94 European tour, but we weren't playing to his largest crowds. But there was still something very special about his audience. Initially I was a little nerve-wracked, worrying they'd boo me off the stage, but I got a wonderful response. I was also really nervous about meeting him, but he was so nice and supportive. He told me if there was anything I ever needed, just to let him know."
So Far... The Best of Susan Ashton Volume 1, an album of mostly previously released singles, was released in 1995, and featured a newly recorded track entitled "Stand."
A Distant Call was released in 1996. This album included two songs co-written by Sheryl Crow, and one with the late Kevin Gilbert who wrote many hit songs for Crow. Wayne Kirkpatrick once again provided significant songwriting for the album, co-writing several songs with Ashton. Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith also provided co-writing credits on one song each. Alison Krauss provided background vocals for "Love Profound." Garth Brooks would release his own version of Ashton's single "You Move Me" on his own album "Sevens" the following year, which became an international hit.
Ashton provided vocals along with Collin Raye for the 1997 Jim Brickman single "The Gift", from Brickman's album of the same name. That single was number one on the pop charts for three consecutive weeks.
1997-2003[edit]
In 1999, Capital released her first non-CCM album Closer. She reached the country music charts with "You're Lucky I Love You," which peaked at No. 38. Included on this album is Ashton's cover of Can't Cry Hard Enough, a song previously covered by Julie Miller. This album was not a commercial success. When asked about this, Ashton responded in 2005, "My perspective is that it did not turn out what I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be a great country record because I'm from Texas and I love that music. But the producers I was working with—who I wholeheartedly believed wanted the best for me—loved my Christian records [with Sparrow], and they were trying to emulate those a little bit. I'm proud of those records, but they aren't country records."[1] Song writing for this album includes Kim Richey, Matraca Berg, Bill Mann and Diane Warren. Ashton only co-wrote one song. Closer was produced by Emory Gordy, Jr., husband and producer to Patty Loveless.
Around this time, Ashton and her husband divorced.[2]
Ashton widened her audience even further when, in 2000, she debuted on the PBS music television program Austin City Limits.
A second album for Capital was recorded, but the album was shelved and has never been released (although the first single "She Is", was released).[3] Ashton has stated, "I spent three years making a follow-up record for Capitol and then early last year they dropped me from the label. So I've spent the last year being a nanny, sitting, waiting and hearing what God wants me to do with my life. It was really difficult, but at the same time I've I needed some healing and clarity. This past year has been really emotional and ultimately turned out really good. I think I was probably aware that I was going to lose my deal, but it's a whole different story knowing you're going to lose it and then actually having it be gone."[1] This interview came after years of silence from Ashton.
2005-2009[edit]
In 2005 Ashton released a second trio album. Originally released only in Australia and Europe as Kisses from Heaven, the album was eventually released in the United States as Lost in Wonder: Voices of Worship. This album was recorded with Michelle Tumes and Christine Denté. The album was conceived in 2003. When asked how the project came about, Ashton replied, "About two years ago I became friends with [the project's producer] John Hartley. Before I lost my record deal, I was asked to sing some demos for what would become a worship project releasing in England. When I lost my deal, John asked if I would still be interested in continuing with the project. God had been healing me, growing me and helping me find my center again, and this seemed to fit as part of his plan."[1] Ashton did not record the vocals in person with Denté and Tumes. The three were only together for the cover's photo shoot.
In 2006 Sparrow Records released Susan Ashton: The Ultimate Collection, a two-CD set of previously released material.
Ashton started a myspace.com page in 2006, on which she posted two demo versions of new songs.
In 2009, she appeared on Collin Raye's album Never Going Back, sing a duet with Raye on a cover of "Without You".
2013-present[edit]
On March 5, 2013, Ashton released Thief, a self-distributed six-song EP. This marks her return to the music business.[citation needed]
Waiting For Your Love To Come Down
Susan Ashton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another sunset slowly fading, stars are starting to appear
And in the midst of all this wonder, my troubles disappear
Caught up in Your presence, Lord as You draw near I am.
Waiting for Your love to come down
Oh I will be waiting, for Your love to come down
Your tender mercies are the strength that I have found
Time and time again I've wandered, down the road to anywhere
Looking for a love unchanging, searching for it everywhere
Till the day when love came calling, answered my every prayer
Heaven knows where I would go without You there so I'm.
Waiting for Your love to come down
Oh I will be waiting, for Your love to come down
Your tender mercies are the strength that I have found
My heart is longing now, waiting for Your love to come down.
I don't need to be persuaded
Nothing on earth can fill this craving
I just need Your love, that's why I'm.
Waiting for Your love to come down
Oh I will be waiting, yeah yeah, for Your love to come down.
For Your love I will be waiting
For Your love I will be waiting
For Your love I will be waiting
I'll be waitin
For Your love I will be waiting
Oh I'll be waiting
Your tender mercies are the strength that I have found
My heart is longing now, waiting for Your love to come down...
The song Waiting For Your Love To Come Down by Susan Ashton is a soulful and introspective track, dealing with themes of faith, love, and yearning for a sense of purpose. The lyrics describe the singer's state of mind as they observe a summer evening, with the sunset slowly fading and stars beginning to appear. It is in this moment of peace and clarity that the singer finds solace in their faith, caught up in the presence of the Lord as they draw near. They are waiting for divine love to come down and fill the void in their life, as nothing on earth can satisfy their craving for it.
The song reflects the struggles and feelings of the wandering soul, searching for a love that is unchanging and dependable. The singer confesses to having wandered down the road to anywhere, looking for love in all the wrong places, but finding their calling the day love came calling and answered their every prayer. The song is a testimony of faith, and a conviction of the power of divine love, which sustains and gives strength to the singer. The lyrics make it clear that the singer does not need to be persuaded or convinced of the power of this love, as they are already convinced of the strength of the divine.
Overall, Susan Ashton's Waiting For Your Love To Come Down is a moving and profound track that speaks to the heart of every soul searching for meaning, purpose, and love in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
All alone on a summer evening, and the twilights oh so clear
In solitude on a summer evening, as the sky grows duskier.
Another sunset slowly fading, stars are starting to appear
As another day ends and night takes over, the stars begin to reveal themselves.
And in the midst of all this wonder, my troubles disappear
Surrounded by the beauty of nature, all worries and problems fade away.
Caught up in Your presence, Lord as You draw near I am.
As the singer feels the closeness of God, she becomes completely absorbed in His presence.
Waiting for Your love to come down
The singer is expecting and anticipating God's love.
Oh I will be waiting, for Your love to come down
She will patiently wait for as long as it takes for God's love to arrive.
Your tender mercies are the strength that I have found
The compassion and kindness of God bring her strength and comfort.
My heart is longing now, waiting for Your love to come down.
Her heart yearns for the affection of God and she eagerly anticipates its arrival.
Time and time again I've wandered, down the road to anywhere
The singer has frequently lost her way and felt lost in life.
Looking for a love unchanging, searching for it everywhere
She has searched everywhere for love that will never falter or waver.
Till the day when love came calling, answered my every prayer
Finally, she found the unwavering love she was searching for and felt that her prayers were answered.
Heaven knows where I would go without You there so I'm.
Without God, she would be lost and doesn't even want to consider where she would be.
I don't need to be persuaded
The singer is set in her devotion to God and doesn't require convincing.
Nothing on earth can fill this craving
She recognizes that nothing else can satisfy her desire for God's love.
I just need Your love, that's why I'm.
All that she needs is the love of God and that's why she waits for it so eagerly.
For Your love I will be waiting
She will continue to wait for as long as it takes for God's love.
I'll be waitin
She's patiently waiting.
Oh I'll be waiting
She's certain she will wait until God's love arrives.
Your tender mercies are the strength that I have found.
Once again, she highlights that God's mercy brings strength and comfort to her heart.
Contributed by Muhammad H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jean Marivel
on All Kinds Of People (Distand Call Album Version)
"ALL KINDS OF EOPLE" Great lyrics, awesome voice & style. I love this song and the lady who sings it. We're of "all kinds" and all in one likeness; JESUS-CHRIST OUR GRACIOUS CREATOR.