1) The Choir were a ro… Read Full Bio ↴There have been two bands known as The Choir:
1) The Choir were a rock band in the mid-1960s from Cleveland Ohio, best known for the oft-covered song "It's Cold Outside". With the addition of singer Eric Carmen, they became The Raspberries in 1970. The band consisted of Dann Klawon on rhythm guitar, Dave Smalley on vocals & rhythm guitar, Wally Bryson on vocals, lead guitar, & bass, and Jim Bonfanti on vocals & drums.
2) The Choir (originally The Youth Choir) is an atmospheric alternative Christian rock band, led by Derri Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums -- who also writes most of the band's lyrics -- and Dan Michaels on lyricon, electric flute and saxophone. Originally formed in Southern California in the early 1980s, the band members moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area in the 1990s. Past members include guitarist Marc Byrd and bass guitarists Michael Sauerbrey, Robin Spurs, Bill Batstone, and the late Tim Chandler.
Each band member also has a depth of musical history outside of The Choir. Hindalong produced four successful City On A Hill albums, writing the well-known song "God of Wonders" with Marc Byrd. Daugherty has been a member of the Christian-alterna-pop-supergroup The Lost Dogs since it started in 1991, and Hindalong joined the group in 2006. Chandler was the bass player for years for Daniel Amos and that band's alter egos The Swirling Eddies, and passed away in 2018. Byrd was a member of Common Children, recorded with his wife Christine Glass as Glassbyrd, and is currently half of the post-rock duo Hammock. Michaels has been a Senior Vice President of Fair Trade Services (formerly INO Records) since 2000.
To Cover You
The Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a long-stemmed match
Dance while it burns
And laugh when it turns to ash
I would torch everything to keep you warm
I would do anything to keep you from harm
I would do anything
I would give everything in the world
To cover you, to cover you
Walk down a dark street
Naked on a winter night
Run from the law
Like the Sunday I saw the light
To defend your spirit I would go to war
I would chase the devil to Jehovah's door
I would do anything
To cover you body and soul, girl
I would give everything in the world
To cover you
I would do anything
To wrap you up tight on a cold night
I would give everything that I have
To cover you, to cover you
The Choir's song To Cover You is a passionate love song that conveys the depth of the singer's commitment to his beloved. The opening line, "Set my guitar on fire with a long-stemmed match," is a powerful image that captures the singer's willingness to sacrifice everything for his loved one's well-being. The idea of dancing while the guitar burns and then laughing when it turns to ash suggests a sense of liberation and joy in the midst of the destruction. The singer is so committed to keeping his lover warm and safe that he is willing to torch everything in his path.
The chorus expresses the depth of the singer's love and devotion - "I would do anything to cover you body and soul, girl," "I would give everything in the world to cover you." The repetition of the phrase "to cover you" reinforces the idea that the singer is completely devoted to his beloved, and will go to great lengths to protect her. The second verse continues the theme of the singer's willingness to do anything to defend his lover's honor and spirit, even if it means going to war or facing the devil himself.
The overall effect of the song is one of passion, devotion, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to protect and care for the one you love. The imagery is powerful and vivid, and the emotional intensity of the lyrics is matched by the soaring melody and lush instrumentation.
Line by Line Meaning
Set my guitar on fire
I am willing to sacrifice something I love for you
With a long-stemmed match
I am deliberate and intentional about my actions
Dance while it burns
I am not afraid to embrace the chaos that comes with love
And laugh when it turns to ash
I am able to find joy in even the hardest moments, knowing that we are together
I would torch everything to keep you warm
I am willing to sacrifice anything for your safety and security
I would do anything to keep you from harm
I will go to great lengths to protect you from danger
To cover you body and soul, girl
I want to provide complete protection and comfort for you
I would give everything in the world
I am willing to make any sacrifice necessary
Walk down a dark street
I am not afraid of danger when I am with you
Naked on a winter night
I am willing to expose my vulnerability for our love
Run from the law
I will protect you at any cost, even if it means breaking the law
Like the Sunday I saw the light
I remember the moment that I fell deeply in love with you
To defend your spirit I would go to war
I will fight for you and stand up for what I believe in, even if it means going to war
I would chase the devil to Jehovah's door
I will go to any lengths to protect you from evil or harm
To wrap you up tight on a cold night
I want to provide warmth and comfort for you in any situation
I would give everything that I have
I am willing to sacrifice all that I have for you
To cover you, to cover you
I want to protect and care for you always
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.