"I was having the hardest time getting the feel of the guitar and getting comfortable with it. So, I told my pastor and he prayed for me and I started getting the hang of it." From that point on, Bowman played in church for eight years and won a two-year scholarship to the Detroit Music School. "Those were two of the most enlightening years of my life." After high school, Bowman held on to a General Motors assembly line job for a few months, but, after being laid off, Bowman devoted his time to playing his instrument, eventually landing a spot with the renowned gospel group, The Winans. Bowman stayed with the group as guitarist and, eventually, music director for six years.
Although it was a tremendous opportunity, Bowman wanted to get off the merry-go-round. "I was getting burned out from the traveling and I missed spending time with my wife and kids." Bowman left the group amicably in 1987 and took a hiatus from playing. He settled into domestic life and was content to play the guitar as a hobby until his wife, Wanda, influenced him to do an album.
Although the idea of an album had never occurred to Bowman, he thought it was a good idea; thus, began his latest music career. In May, 1996, Bowman printed 2,000 copies of his first album and started promoting it around Detroit. The city's jazz radio station, WJZZ, started playing four tracks concurrently ("Give Me You," "Love,Joy, Peace," "I'll Be There," and "Speak To Me") in heavy rotation. A consignment of 1,000 CDs in Detroit record stores sold out in five weeks. Eventually, Insync Records picked up the CD and released it nationally. In the spring of 1997, the album peaked at 19 on the Gavin Smooth Jazz Charts and 20 on Radio & Record Magazine's album chart. The single "I'll Be There" rose to 18 on Gavin's Top Twenty singles chart.
Bowman's follow-up projects. "Paradise" and "Smile," also received widespread media attention and great reviews. In 2004, Bowman released his fourth collection, "This is What I Hear." With it, Bowman surpassed the success of all his prior albums with his smash #1 single, "Summer Groove." The acclaim for "This is What I Hear" helped Bowman land a spot on the ’07 "Guitars and Saxes Tour", alongside Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright, and Kirk Whalum.
Bowman's next release was a self-titled CD in early 2009. It was Bowman’s first for Trippin’ N Rhythm. When Bowman was asked what he thought about the new collection, Bowman said, "I feel good about this one. It’s the feeling I get every time I know I’ve had fun making an album." Smooth Jazz friends like Jeff Lorber, saxophonist Najee, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Randy Scott, and Darren Rahn all show up on the record. Of the collaborations, Bowman says, "I am so blessed to have some of the best musicians in the world on this record." Bowman’s son, Tim Bowman Jr., is also featured on the R&B song, "All I Need Is You."
Free
Tim Bowman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
(LEAD)
I live for you
I worship you
You took my pain
I live for you
You died for me
You set me free
Eh eh eh eh I live for you
I worship you
You took my pain
And you gave me grace
I live for you
You died for me
You set me free
Eh eh eh eh
()
I′am free
Nothing is holding me
Jesus set free
Hallelujah am free
Free
Free to worship free
Free to praise am free
Free to show the victory
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
(LEAD)
I live for you
I worship you
You took my pain
And you gave me grace
I live for you
You died for me
You set me free
I live for you
I worship you
You took my pain
And you gave me grace
I live for you
You died for me
You set free ()
(VAMP)
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Free
The song "Free" by Tim Bowman is a religious song that speaks of the singer's devotion to God and gratitude for the freedom he has received from Him. The song opens with a repetition of "oh" sounds that set the mood for a prayerful and introspective song. The lead singer declares his commitment to God, singing, "I live for you, I worship you, You took my pain, And you gave me grace." The lyrics emphasize the personal relationship the singer has with God, who is seen as a merciful and benevolent figure that has redeemed him from his afflictions and restored his joy.
As the song progresses, the singer emphasizes the freedom he has found in God's love. He declares, "I am free, Nothing is holding me, Jesus set me free, Hallelujah I am free." The repetition of the word "free" highlights the sense of liberation the singer has found in his faith. He is now free to worship, praise and show the victory, without any hindrances. The song ends with a final repetition of "oh" sounds that emphasize the singer's spiritual connection with God.
Overall, "Free" by Tim Bowman is a heartfelt expression of religious devotion and gratitude towards God. It speaks of the singer's emotional journey from pain and suffering, to redemption and freedom, all thanks to the transformative power of God's love and grace.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
Oh oh oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
I live for you
My life is devoted to you
I worship you
I regard you with reverence and adoration
You took my pain
You relieved me of my struggles and hardships
And you gave me grace
And you bestowed me with unmerited favor and blessings
I live for you
My life is devoted to you
You died for me
You sacrificed yourself for my benefit
You set me free
You liberated me from bondage and captivity
Eh eh eh eh I live for you
Expressing joy and enthusiasm for living for you
I worship you
I regard you with reverence and adoration
You took my pain
You relieved me of my struggles and hardships
And you gave me grace
And you bestowed me with unmerited favor and blessings
I live for you
My life is devoted to you
You died for me
You sacrificed yourself for my benefit
You set me free
You liberated me from bondage and captivity
Eh eh eh eh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
I am free
I am liberated from all things that held me down
Nothing is holding me
I am not held back by anything
Jesus set free
Jesus liberated me from my struggles
Hallelujah am free
I am joyous and grateful for my freedom
Free
Liberated from all things that held me down
Free to worship free
Liberated to worship without any hindrances
Free to praise am free
Liberated to express gratitude and admiration without any hindrances
Free to show the victory
Liberated to demonstrate the triumph and success I have achieved
Oh oh oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
Oh oh oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
Oh oh oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
I live for you
My life is devoted to you
I worship you
I regard you with reverence and adoration
You took my pain
You relieved me of my struggles and hardships
And you gave me grace
And you bestowed me with unmerited favor and blessings
I live for you
My life is devoted to you
You died for me
You sacrificed yourself for my benefit
You set me free
You liberated me from bondage and captivity
I live for you
My life is devoted to you
I worship you
I regard you with reverence and adoration
You took my pain
You relieved me of my struggles and hardships
And you gave me grace
And you bestowed me with unmerited favor and blessings
I live for you
My life is devoted to you
You died for me
You sacrificed yourself for my benefit
You set free
You liberated me from bondage and captivity
Oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
Oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
Oh oh oh
Expressing joy and enthusiasm
Free
Liberated from all things that held me down
Writer(s): Bill Withers, Matthew Prime, Stan Mckenny, Will Young
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.