Since he started performing in DC coffeehouses in 2006, the tireless 29-year-old hasn’t let any moss grow under his trademark flip flops: two full-length CDs (Naked Without and Back to Love), two EPs (Rise and The Politics of Love), a live DVD (Live At Terry’s), four music videos—two rose to the #1 and #2 viewer-choice slots on MTV’s LOGO network—and nearly 500 shows in 100 cities nationwide. His latest CD, Turn It Around, releases April 12, supported by a ten-week, 50-city tour.
Tom is an unabashed romantic, known for his songs about love (many inspired by his new husband Mike, whom he married in October 2010) and longing. Recorded in Steubenville, Ohio, at Innovation Studios in December, Turn It Around glides from soulful, pensive ballads to infectious pop, from tender melodies to muscular rhythms, buoyed by an unflagging belief in the healing power of love. Drawing comparisons to his contemporaries such as Matt Nathanson, Jason Mraz and Lee DeWyze, Tom’s intimate live performances reflect his gift for incisive personal narratives. Tom is committed politically as well, having released songs and videos in support of marriage equality and the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” (A video for the song “Lover,” from his last album, is currently in rotation on LOGO—it tells the story of a soldier killed in Afghanistan while his husband waits at home, and stars servicemen who were discharged under don’t ask, don’t tell.)
Like his music, Tom’s story is a mix of struggle and spirit. A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, he spent his high school and college years as a wrestler, leaving the family sport of gymnastics for one better suited to his teenage aggression. Following a brief stint as a teacher, he moved to Washington, DC in 2004 to enter Catholic seminary. It didn’t go as planned, and he abandoned his quest to become a priest—but not his desire to spread a message of hope and reconciliation through his music.
Now he’s winning followers across the country while still finding time to lead and raise funds for a DC nonprofit called Charlie’s Place that provides free meals, clothing and social services to the homeless. It’s the perfect day job for a man who lives what he sings.
Lover
Tom Goss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take my hand and take my heart,
In these times when were apart,
You are still my lover.
I can feel your whisper close,
Like the sweetness of a rose,
When I turn I hear your voice,
You're my only lover.
They say that every one thousand years a love may come.
To wrap you up and tie your bones.
Well I've got mine.
I met you off the train,
You knew my face you knew my name,
It's my soul you came to claim,
You inspire me lover.
You held me close you held me tight,
Arms that took me through the night,
Wake to grant me a new life,
Yeah you heal me lover.
They say that every one thousand years a love may come.
To wrap you up and tie your bones.
Well I've got mine.
Tragedy it seems to strike,
At the peak of any life,
Know no matter what it tries,
You are still my lover.
I'll hold you close I'll hold you fast,
Wipe those tears back with my hand,
And when we've both returned to sand,
You are still my lover.
They say that every one thousand years a love may come,
To wrap you up and tie your bones,
To steal your flesh and save your soul,
Take you to the great unknown,
Well I've got mine.
The song "Lover" by Tom Goss is a beautiful expression of love that transcends distance, time and even death. The lyrics describe the strong bond the singer shares with his lover who is always on his mind even when they are apart. The winter rain falling hard is a metaphor for the difficulties that come with being away from each other. The singer's lover is his source of inspiration, healing and joy. The imagery of holding each other close and wiping tears away conveys the idea that love is a powerful force that can overcome any tragedy or hardship.
The chorus of the song is particularly evocative. It talks about the rarity of true love that comes once in a thousand years. The expression "to wrap you up and tie your bones" gives the impression that this love is something that envelops you entirely, body and soul. The theme of mortality is also woven into the song, as the singer acknowledges that death is an inevitable part of life but it cannot break the bond he shares with his lover. The idea of being taken to the great unknown is a reference to the afterlife, suggesting that love can transcend even death.
Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the power and endurance of true love.
Line by Line Meaning
Winter rain it falls to hard,
Even as the unrelenting winter rains pelt down hard on me, I am still overcome with emotions for you
Take my hand and take my heart,
Place your trust in me; I give you my all
In these times when were apart,
Even though we are distant from each other, my love for you never wavers
You are still my lover.
No matter what happens, you remain the object of my affection
I can feel your whisper close,
I feel your gentle words brushing against my ears, calming me down
Like the sweetness of a rose,
Your presence is as delightful and pleasant as the fragrance of a rose flower
When I turn I hear your voice,
Even when my back is turned on you, I can still hear your voice in my head
You're my only lover.
You are the one and only person who ignites that fire in my heart
They say that every one thousand years a love may come.
According to popular belief, once in every millennium, true love manifests itself
To wrap you up and tie your bones.
It's supposed to be so strong that it engulfs you completely, making you one with your lover
Well I've got mine.
I am lucky enough to have found such a love in you
I met you off the train,
Our paths crossed at a fateful point when I got off the train, and you knew who I was
You knew my face you knew my name,
You recognized me immediately, making me wonder how destiny had played its part
It's my soul you came to claim,
I'm convinced that you were meant to be the one who completes me
You inspire me lover.
Your very presence is a source of motivation and encouragement for me
You held me close you held me tight,
Your tight embrace around me provides a sense of security and warmth
Arms that took me through the night,
Your arms were the ones that carried me through my darkest hours
Wake to grant me a new life,
Every morning I wake up, I feel renewed and refreshed, thanks to you
Yeah you heal me lover.
You have been instrumental in healing me from past hurts and pains
Tragedy it seems to strike,
Every time tragedy strikes, it always seems to catch me at the most inopportune time
At the peak of any life,
It always strikes when life seems to be at its pinnacle
Know no matter what it tries,
No matter what life throws at me, I know our love will keep me going
You are still my lover.
In the midst of all the chaos, you remain the one constant in my life
I'll hold you close I'll hold you fast,
If you're ever feeling lost or alone, I'll be the one to hold you tight and never let go
Wipe those tears back with my hand,
I'll be the one to comfort you and wipe away those tears with my own hands
And when we've both returned to sand,
Even when we die and our bodies return to dust, our love will continue to exist in some form
To steal your flesh and save your soul,
Some believe that the love which happens once a millennium is capable of both physical and spiritual salvation
Take you to the great unknown,
It's believed that such a love can take you to places no ordinary love can take you
Contributed by Gabriel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tigger1979022
I am in the service and this made me break down and cry. It also made me so happy that I have my husband and we can be open about us to people.
@tomgossmusic
Jonathan Lafleur Thank you for your service.
@michaelmitchell7223
God bless you Jonathan and thank you for your service, both to our country and to personal freedom and liberty.
@anonymousenscriber1969
Thank you for your service. ❤
@elderxemo92
This made my heart flutter for you guys!!!! 💓 Please stay strong!!! And thank you for your service!
@robertcaine9973
This hits close to home. My man is a Marine in Afghanistan. I want him home, safe with me. I love you, baby.
@michaelmitchell7223
God bless and keep you both.
@bckm54
Beautiful. I'm an old gay guy who has suffered differently; the deaths of several close friends to AIDS in NYC in the 1980s; while none were "lovers", they were all good men, brothers, and the dearest friends you could have.
@tomgossmusic
: (
@muhammadishakbinhasdi662
bckm54 would love to hear your story.