Born Kiplin Simpson, Linen grew up in the district of Red Bank, where he attended the Red Bank Primary and Red Bank High schools. Being the first child for his mother, his grandparents raised him, while his mother went out to hustle to put food on the table for him and his five siblings. In his early years, Linen’s father migrated to England. Eventually, Terry moved from the quiet district of Red Bank, to the sleepy bustle of Mandeville, to live with his mother who had remarried.
After graduating from school, Linen hooked up with the legendary Black Kat sound system where he cut dubs. It was during those inspirational Black Panther days, that Linen became good friends with local artistes who were on the rise, including General Degree, Tony Rebel and Garnet Silk, who had a tremendous influence on the impressionable singer. Linen also met two of the most influential people of his career, Tyrone Taylor & Courtney Melody. Eventually, Linen's close bond with General Degree began to pay dividends, as Degree invited Linen to the studio with him on several occasions, introducing him to influential movers and shakers in the music business. In the meantime, Linen also met a wealthy local bus owner from Southfield, St. Elizabeth called 'Million' who persuaded him to join his sound of the same name, where he went on to cut the tune Sweet Cassandra on Million's own label. It was not until 1996, when he recorded Rainbow Never Touch the Ground on the Kutchie rhythm for producer/songwriter Anthony Red Roze that people began to take notice of the young singer. After moderate success with this song, Anthony Red Roze began to take on the mantle as Terry Linen's manager.
With Red Roze managing Terry Linen, Linen began to put out numerous reggae gems such as the ultra-popular Couldn't Be the Girl for Me and Jah Jah You Save Me. In 1999, he recorded his monster hit, a cover of Whitney Houston's Your Love Is My Love. On this project, Linen received assistance from the musicians Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Gitsy, Jazzwad and Dean Fraser. Your Love Is My Love hit the top of the reggae charts in Miami, and in New York for 12 straight weeks. The song also hit reggae charts in the Caribbean.
With all that chart success, Terry Linen had still not become a household name. "The problem is", said Linen, "is that I did not get the proper promotion, even with my hit songs, there was no video done, people did not know me because is not everyone attends stage shows, even though people loved the songs." Later on, on his musical journey, Terry did a collaboration with the German star Gentleman on the single Jah Jah Never Fail, which appeared on Gentleman's 1999 album, Trodding On. Linen then recorded another popular single with Capleton entitled, Love is Coming at You. More and more, Linen would be heard on the radio in Jamaica.
In 2001, Linen’s first full album, self-titled Terry Linen, distributed by VP Records, received rave reviews from music critics and fans. On the strength of this album, Linen toured North America and Japan. He performed on many major stage shows such as True Juice Rebel Salute, Western Consciousness, Stars in Action and the Love Symbol Show. He distinguished himself at the True Juice Rebel Salute show in 2001 earning two encores, with the songs such as Call On A Friend and the perennial crowd favorite, Couldn't Be The Girl For Me. Terry continued to work hard, and in the year 2004, he scored again with his song Counting Hours, which was produced by Beres Hammond's on his Harmony House Records label. This song has been featured on many reggae compilation albums worldwide.
Terry Linen continued working hard, residing in Junction, St. Elizabeth and his beloved Mandeville, in the parish Manchester, Jamaica. Signed to Uplifting Music International in the latter part of 2007, Terry Linen witnessed the rising of his stocks. His new single Mood For Love, was number one on the Richie B Reggae chart for three weeks, and is still getting heavy rotation on FM radio in Jamaica. Internationally, the song No Time To Linger on the Joe Fraser label was number one for three weeks on the South Florida Reggae charts, and also number one on the New York Reggae charts. His new hit single A Better Man, is also the name of his upcoming album. A Better Man is getting heavy rotation all over, and is climbing the Richie B charts. Indeed, Terry Linen has become "a better man", and he continues to grow musically and please his fans. "I can see where my career is moving forward once again, and connecting the right way. I feel like my career is rejuvenated," he said. People, who have been to Jamaica, know first hand how Terry Linen is dominating the airwaves more and more. Destiny is now smiling on the artist Terry Linen, as his songs are loved and embraced by his people in Jamaica, and more and more, the people of the world.
I Look To You
Terry Linen Lyrics
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Heaven hear me now
I'm lost without a cause
After giving it my all
Winter storms have come
And darkened my sun
After all that I've been through
I look to you
I look to you
After all my strength is gone
In you I can be strong
I look to you
I look to you
Yeah
And when melodies are gone
In you I hear a song
I look to you
After losing my breath
There's no more fighting left
Sinking to rise no more
Searching for that open door
And every road that I've taken
Led to my regret
And I don't know if I'm gonna make it
Nothing to do but lift my head
I look to you
I look to you
Yeah
And when all my strength is gone
In you I can be strong
I look to you
I look to you
Oh yeah
And when melodies are gone
In you I hear a song
I look to you
Coming down on me
All the rain is falling
Set me free
Take me far away from the battle
I need you
Shine on me
I look to you
I look to you
After all my strength has gone
In you I can be strong
I look to you
I look to you
And when melodies are gone
In you I hear a song
I look to you
Yeah
I look to you
I look to you
The lyrics to Terry Linen's song 'I Look to You' speak of a person who feels lost and hopeless after giving their all and going through difficult times. They feel like they have no one to turn to for help and are sinking without any hope of rising again. The person expresses their struggle through winter storms and losing their strength, but they continue to look to the heavens and reach out to God. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and a recognition that the person needs divine intervention to overcome their situation. They see God as the one who can provide the strength and open the door they need to move forward.
The chorus reflects the person's dependence on God for strength and a sense of hope. They look to God as their anchor and source of inspiration. They acknowledge that when they have lost all their strength and when the melody of life fades away, they can still find a reason to press on by looking to God. The song offers a message of optimism and faith in the face of adversity, urging the listener to never give up hope, even when things seem bleak.
Line by Line Meaning
As I lay me down
As I lie down to rest
Heaven hear me now
I pray to heaven for assistance
I'm lost without a cause
I am confused and without direction
After giving it my all
After doing my best
Winter storms have come
Difficult times have arrived
And darkened my sun
And made my life gloomy
After all that I've been through
After all the difficult experiences I've had
Who on earth can I turn to
Who can I ask for help on this earth
I look to you
I seek help from you
I look to you
I seek help from you
After all my strength is gone
After I have used up all of my energy
In you I can be strong
I can find strength in you
I look to you
I seek help from you
I look to you
I seek help from you
And when melodies are gone
And when there is no music left in me
In you I hear a song
I find inspiration in you
I look to you
I seek help from you
After losing my breath
After feeling breathless and exhausted
There's no more fighting left
I can't fight anymore
Sinking to rise no more
I am sinking and can't get up
Searching for that open door
Looking for a way out
And every road that I've taken
Every path that I've followed
Led to my regret
Has made me feel remorseful
And I don't know if I'm gonna make it
I am uncertain if I will survive
Nothing to do but lift my head
The only option is to keep trying
I look to you
I seek help from you
I look to you
I seek help from you
And when all my strength is gone
And when I am completely worn out
In you I can be strong
I can still find strength in you
I look to you
I seek help from you
I look to you
I seek help from you
And when melodies are gone
And when there is no music left in me
In you I hear a song
I find inspiration in you
I look to you
I seek help from you
Coming down on me
Bearing down on me
All the rain is falling
Rain is pouring down
Set me free
Free me from this burden
Take me far away from the battle
Take me somewhere safe and peaceful
I need you
I need your help
Shine on me
Give me hope and light
I look to you
I seek help from you
I look to you
I seek help from you
After all my strength has gone
After I have used up all of my energy
In you I can be strong
I can find strength in you
I look to you
I seek help from you
I look to you
I seek help from you
And when melodies are gone
And when there is no music left in me
In you I hear a song
I find inspiration in you
I look to you
I seek help from you
Yeah
Yes
I look to you
I seek help from you
I look to you
I seek help from you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert S. Kelly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind