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.
Restoration
The Winans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Restore me, restore to me the joy
This is my prayer today, yeah
It reminds me of the prodigal son
After his righteous livin' all the evil he had done
Yet when he returned his father received him home
Gave him a ring of gold, put him on a robe
Killed the fatted calf
Gave him somethin' he never ever had
Restoration
Restoration has finally come
Been restored back to my place in God
Restoration has finally come
Been restored back to my place in God
What would I know about being restored
If I never lost my place
What would I know about his mercy if I hadn't got out of grace
It sort of reminds me of the prodigal son
After his righteous livin', all the evil he had done
Yet when he returned his father received him home
Gave him a ring of gold put him on a robe
Killed the fatted calf
Gave him somethin' he never ever had
Restoration
Restoration has finally come
Been restored back to my place in God
Restoration has finally come Been restored back to my place in God
Restore the joy of my salvation
Give me back my consecration
Restore the life that I once knew
I'm giving my life back to you
And we'd just like to say restore me restore the joy
Restore me restore the joy
And we'd just like to say restore me restore the joy
Restore me restore the joy
And we'd just like to say restore me restore the joy
Restore me restore the joy
I'm restored and I'm glad about it
I'm restored and I'm glad about it
I'm renewed and I'm glad about it
I'm restored and I'm glad about it
I'm glad about it, I'm glad about it
I'm glad about it
I'll shout about it, I'll shout about it
I'll shout about it
The Winans's song Restoration is a prayer for God to restore the joy, salvation, and consecration of the singer's life. The lyrics draw a parallel to the story of the prodigal son, who squandered his inheritance before realizing his mistakes and returning to his father, who welcomed him back with joy and celebration. The lyrics highlight the idea that restoration can only be appreciated by those who have first experienced loss or waywardness.
The song emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning back to God in order to be restored. It also acknowledges the need for God's mercy and grace in the restoration process. The repeated chorus of "restore me, restore to me the joy" serves as a reminder that restoration is not something one can achieve alone, but rather it is a prayer and a surrender to God's will.
Overall, Restoration is a powerful and uplifting song that reminds us that no matter how far we may have strayed, there is always hope for repentance, forgiveness, and restoration with God.
Line by Line Meaning
Restore me, restore to me the joy
The singer is asking to be restored to a state of happiness and fulfillment.
This is my prayer today, yeah
The singer is expressing that this request is important to them and they are asking for it today.
It reminds me of the prodigal son
The singer is making a comparison to the story of the prodigal son from the Bible.
After his righteous livin' all the evil he had done
The prodigal son had once lived a good life, but he had done many bad things that he regretted.
Yet when he returned his father received him home
The prodigal son's father welcomed him back despite his mistakes and wrongdoing.
Gave him a ring of gold, put him on a robe
The prodigal son's father celebrated his return by giving him valuable gifts as a sign of forgiveness and love.
Killed the fatted calf
The prodigal son's father hosted a feast to celebrate his son's return, and killed a prized animal to serve as the main course.
Gave him somethin' he never ever had
The prodigal son's father gave him something that he had never experienced before - unconditional love and forgiveness.
Restoration
The singer repeats this word to emphasize the theme of the song - that restoration and healing are possible.
Restoration has finally come
The singer is expressing gratitude that restoration has finally happened for them.
Been restored back to my place in God
The singer feels that their relationship with God has been mended and they have been made whole again.
What would I know about being restored
The singer is asking a rhetorical question to suggest that they wouldn't know about restoration if they had not experienced loss and pain.
If I never lost my place
The singer is acknowledging that they had lost their way or lost their connection to God.
What would I know about his mercy if I hadn't got out of grace
The singer is suggesting that they have gained a deeper understanding of God's mercy and forgiveness because they had experienced a moment of falling out of grace.
Restore the joy of my salvation
The singer is asking for joy and happiness to be restored to their spiritual life and connection with God.
Give me back my consecration
The singer is asking for their commitment and dedication to God to be restored.
Restore the life that I once knew
The singer is asking to be restored to a previous state of happiness and fulfillment that they had lost.
I'm giving my life back to you
The singer is expressing their commitment to God and their willingness to surrender their life to Him.
And we'd just like to say restore me restore the joy
The singer is repeating the chorus to emphasize the theme of the song and to encourage others to find restoration as well.
I'm restored and I'm glad about it
The singer is expressing that they feel restored and happy about it.
I'm renewed and I'm glad about it
The singer feels like they have been given new life and they are happy about it.
I'll shout about it
The singer is expressing that they will celebrate their restoration and joy by shouting and praising God.
Writer(s): Anthony C. Ii Williams Copyright: New Spring Publishing Inc., Tboyz Tip Music
Contributed by Liam K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@HarlanRogersTX
I am so grateful and thankful that I had the privilege of being able to play keyboards on many of the wonderful songs recorded by the Winans. To THIS DAY the "Tomorrow" Album is one of my favorite albums of ALL-TIME, of ANY genre of music. What a talented and blessed family! I treasure those days, and will always remember how these songs and this group has touched my life and been such an encouragement to my soul and spirit! God bless the Winans!
@ronaldfoster7368
One of the initial innovators of the progressive movement of Gospel music...kudos to those musicians who participated in that move! Any of those old charts around?
@anointed96
Huh
@msautumn99mswinterweather66
What an awesome privilege 💜🙏🏿
@NAJErEa91
WOW!!!! U WERE ON KEYS HERE!?!?!?🤯🤯🤯😭😭😭🙌💕🎶💯
@barbmclorn6589
Send to Arthur McLorn
@briandoss3224
Watched lil rel on HBO and this was playing in the credits ...forgot all about this song
@frankroy2005
Love this song right here.
Philippians 4:8
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise, dwell on these things.
@CodyCole80
Amen
@ArthaBhuman
Here June 2024!
I’m seeing these lyrics totally fulfilled in each and everyone Life!!!
Now & Forevermore!