Tony Rich got his start in the music industry as a staff writer at LaFace Records. While there, Rich penned hits for Boyz II Men, Johnny Gill, TLC and Toni Braxton.
While living in Detroit, Rich started playing in jazz fusion and soul bands and worked with local Detroit songwriters. It was at this time that John Salley, Detroit Pistons player and record producer, encouraged Rich to work with his artists and to even make his own tracks.
Meeting with R&B singer Pebbles, Tony Rich was introduced to her then-husband L.A. Reid. As co-founder of LaFace Records, Reid convinced Rich to move to Atlanta and to begin writing and producing for established acts. One of Rich's first projects was a session with Elton John and Sounds of Blackness for a Curtis Mayfield tribute LP. He then expanded his portfolio to include work with the previously mentioned stars.
In early 1996, Rich made his solo debut with the cd Words and the hit single Nobody Knows, which made it to number 2 on the top 100. Both the album and single went platinum and in 1997, Tony Rich won the Grammy for Best Male R&B album. The album featured two Grammy-nominated singles, Like A Woman and Nobody Knows.
The album was followed up in 1998 by Birdseye which, while critically praised, failed to generate much commercial success. Rich seemingly disappeared from the music world for several years after his album's release.
In 2003, Rich came back on the scene with the album Resurrected. Carrying a very different style this time around, the album featured Rich rocking out on the guitar as well as singing smooth ballads.
In 2006, Rich released a fourth album, Pictures. The album contains snapshots of a relationship, and is far more in the veins of his earlier works.
In 2008, he released his fifth album, Exist through Hidden Beach Recordings. Originally it was set for release on September 16, however it was pushed back to September 23, 2008. The album features download-only single, Part the Waves.
Within My Soul
The Tony Rich Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even at this earthly hour right now, God lives
There's refuge, I found peace here, in my fathers house
Here's my life from old to new, nothing's changed but my point of view
Now I'm free from devils hole, I've been born again, truly resurrected
Here I stand because I am strong, everybody can
For this is where I belong, every soul that stands, fine
I'm looking no further then this, everybody says
Then I know, God lives within my soul
Through hard times I endured pain, with my further strength
There's nothin' I cannot change, as strong as I believe
This is love from me to you, all as well as all is true
Now I'm free to kiss the wind, I've been born again, forever resurrected
Here I stand because I am strong, everybody can
For this is where I belong, every soul just stands, fine
I'm looking no further then this, everybody says
Then I know, God lives within my soul
There's something truly funny about life
The way we left and suddenly cried
As long as you know who you are
You left your joy in your life
Everybody can, every soul just stands
Everybody says, truly resurrected, yeah
Here I stand because I am strong, everybody can
For this is where I belong, every soul just stands
I'm looking no further then this, ooh, everybody can
Then I know, God lives within my soul
Here I stand because I am strong, anybody can
For this is where I belong, every soul just stands
I'm looking no further then this, anybody can, hey
Then I know, God lives within my soul
Here I stand because I am strong, anybody can, hey
For this is where I belong, every soul just stands
I'm looking no further then this, ooh
Then I know, God lives within my soul
Here I stand because I am strong
For this is where I belong
I'm looking no further then this
Then I know, God lives within my soul
The lyrics of The Tony Rich Project's song Within My Soul speak to finding peace and refuge within oneself and one's relationship with their faith. The song opens with the line "Look no further then you, He's there," highlighting the idea that God is always present within us. The following lines affirm this idea, stating that even in the earthly hour, God lives. The singer then goes on to describe their personal experience of finding refuge and peace in their father's house, both physically and metaphorically. They speak of having open eyes and seeing the world in a new, brighter light, thanks to their changed perspective.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer has found strength and belonging within themselves and in their faith. They assert that everyone can find this same sense of self-assuredness and connection to God if they look within themselves. The verses that follow describe the singer's past struggles and pain, but also the new strength they have acquired through their experiences and newfound faith. The song ends with a repeated affirmation of the singer's newfound sense of self and their relationship with God.
Line by Line Meaning
Look no further then you, He's there
Even at this earthly hour right now, God lives
There's refuge, I found peace here, in my fathers house
Open eyes so I see clear, the sun looks much brighter
Here's my life from old to new, nothing's changed but my point of view
Now I'm free from devils hole, I've been born again, truly resurrected
Through hard times I endured pain, with my further strength
There's nothin' I cannot change, as strong as I believe
This is love from me to you, all as well as all is true
Now I'm free to kiss the wind, I've been born again, forever resurrected
There's something truly funny about life
The way we left and suddenly cried
As long as you know who you are
You left your joy in your life
Here I stand because I am strong, everybody can
For this is where I belong, every soul that stands, fine
Then I know, God lives within my soul
Then I know, God lives within my soul
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
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