The Winans released their debut album, Introducing the Winans, in 1981, which was produced by Crouch and featured the now-classic cuts "The Question Is" and "Restoration." The 1983 follow-up, Long Time Comin', started to break the group to a wider audience, reaching the Top Ten on the gospel album charts; it also produced another staple of their repertoire in the ballad "Long Time Comin' (Holdin' On)." The title track of their third album, Tomorrow (which also made the gospel Top Ten), won the group its first Grammy for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group in 1985. In the wake of that success, the Winans moved over to famed producer Quincy Jones' Qwest label. Their label debut, Let My People Go, topped the gospel albums chart in 1986, and featured their first high-profile duet -- with Vanessa Bell Armstrong on "Choose Ye." Meanwhile, the title track won another Grammy, and the group received the first of three consecutive Dove Awards as Best Contemporary Gospel Group. Released in 1987, Decision was another number one hit on the gospel charts, and produced the Winans' first big crossover hit in the Anita Baker duet "Ain't No Need to Worry." The single made the Top 20 on the R&B charts and won a third straight Grammy.
Following this run as one of the most popular gospel groups in America, the Winans slowed their pace a little. Aside from the 1988 concert album Live at Carnegie Hall, the group didn't release any new music until 1990's Return. Return was another big crossover success, going gold and just missing the Top Ten on the R&B album charts. It featured a duet with Stevie Wonder on "Everyday the Same," and the Teddy Riley-produced "It's Time" was a major hit with secular audiences, reaching the R&B Top Five. Riley also worked on "A Friend," which became a fan favorite, and saxman Kenny G appeared on another single, "When You Cry." Released in 1993, All Out upped the ante for high-profile guest appearances, featuring Wayman Tisdale (on the single "Payday"), R. Kelly, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, and Kenny Loggins. Despite winning a Grammy for Best Soul Gospel Album, All Out didn't sell as well with secular audiences as its immediate predecessors. Perhaps as a result, the Winans didn't court crossover success as ardently on its follow-up, 1995's Heart & Soul, which returned them to the Top Five on the gospel album charts. After Heart & Soul, the Winans took a break from performing to concentrate on individual interests and ministries. They did return in 2000 with the holiday album Christmas: Our Gifts to You. In 2002, Rhino Records released the 16-track retrospective The Very Best of the Winans, and the entire Winans family -- not just the group itself -- hit the road in support, marking the first time in a decade that all the family members had performed together.
I'll Follow Where You Lead
The Winans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a lot of ground's been covered
and yet remain so many heights unknown
but now I face a fork in the road
So Lord You lead me where do I go from here
make my pathway clear
for I need Your direction to make the right selection
Life with its surprises, try to organize them
and make them work out best for me
but now I'm just as lost as I can be
So Lord You lead me where do I go from here
make my pathway clear
for I need Your direction to make the right selection
Lead me and I'll follow where You lead
music break (oh)
The future's oh so scary
so Lord please prepare me
enable me to face the great unknown
So now the choice is Yours and not my own
Now Lord You lead me
where do I go from here
make my pathway clear
for I need Your direction to make the right selection
Lead me and I'll follow wherever You lead
just lead me where do I go from here make my pathway clear
for I need Your direction to make the right selection
Lead me and I'll follow wherever You lead
Lord lead me
I need you now
I need Your direction to make the right selection
Lead me and I'll follow where you lead
The Winans's song I'll Follow Where You Lead is a powerful hymn about faith and surrendering oneself to God's divine guidance. The song begins with the lyrics "From this place I started, a lot of ground's been covered and yet remains so many heights unknown" indicating that the singer has come a long way in their journey of faith but still has a long way to go. The lyrics "now I face a fork in the road" highlight the internal struggle the singer is feeling as they come to a crossroads in their journey.
The singer turns to God for help as they sing "So Lord You lead me where do I go from here, make my pathway clear" expressing their desire to follow God's path for their life. The lyrics, "Life with its surprises, try to organize them and make them work out best for me, but now I'm just as lost as I can be" demonstrates how, despite our best efforts, life can still be unpredictable and confusing. The singer acknowledges that they need God's guidance to make the right choices, and their willingness to follow wherever God leads them.
The chorus of the song repeats, "Lead me and I'll follow where You lead," emphasizing the theme of surrendering to God's will. The bridge of the song expresses the singer's fear of the unknown future and their need for God's preparation and guidance. However, the lyrics proclaim their trust in God with the line "Now the choice is Yours and not my own." The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the idea that the singer has chosen to follow God's path for their life.
Overall, I'll Follow Where You Lead is a powerful expression of faith and surrendering oneself to God's will, acknowledging that our own efforts to navigate life's complexities are not enough without divine guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
From this place I started
I have been on a journey for some time now.
a lot of ground's been covered
I have come a long way.
and yet remain so many heights unknown
I have not reached my destination yet, and there is still much to explore.
but now I face a fork in the road
I have come to a point where I have to make an important decision.
So Lord You lead me where do I go from here
I need divine guidance to choose the right path.
make my pathway clear
Please help me see the right way to go.
for I need Your direction to make the right selection
I cannot make this decision alone, I need divine help.
Lead me and I'll follow where You lead
I will trust in God to guide me in the right direction.
Life with its surprises, try to organize them
Life is full of unexpected events, but I try to learn from them.
and make them work out best for me
I try to make the best of every situation that comes my way.
but now I'm just as lost as I can be
This decision is too big for me to make on my own, I need divine help.
The future's oh so scary
The future is uncertain and that scares me.
so Lord please prepare me
I need God to strengthen me and make me brave.
enable me to face the great unknown
I need help to face the uncertain future.
So now the choice is Yours and not my own
I am leaving this decision in God's hands and trusting that He will guide me in the right direction.
Now Lord You lead me
I am following God's lead in this decision.
just lead me where do I go from here make my pathway clear
please guide me and help me see the right way to go.
Lord lead me
I am putting my trust in God to guide me.
I need you now
I need God's help more than ever.
Lead me and I'll follow where you lead
I will follow God's guidance in this decision.
Writer(s): Marvin L. Winans
Contributed by Ethan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Phyllis Cooper
on Self
I need the lyrics for self by the winans
Sharon Gross
on Redeemed
God bless everyone at Easter. The Winans' said, "Tell everybody that it was not a haphazard event nor a secondary scheme but it was the plan of the Lord to redeem." " They whipped Him ALL night long....TO REDEEM; He said, "No man take my life but I laid it down"...TO REDEEM; "He was BORN of a virgin"...TO REDEEM; "JESUS took off his GLORY in Heaven"...TO REDEEM; then HE died on he CROSS...TO REDEEM (THANK YOU, JESUS); then HE ROSE...TO REDEEM. Listen to this beautiful song by the Winans, "Redeemed." It will surely bless your soul. Eternal Love and Peace