Bell Armstrong performed on the 1st Annual Soul Train Awards ceremony. Her 1986 album Following Jesus won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album - Solo in 1988. She is also a seven time Grammy Award-nominee.
The cover of Armstrong's 1987 Billboard-charting mainstream 7" single "You Bring Out The Best In Me."Vanessa enjoyed a slice of mainstream success in the late 80's. Her self-titled 1987 Jive Records debut yielded the Billboard-charting hit "You Bring Out The Best In Me," as well as the club favorite "Pressing On." [1][3] The next year's follow-up album Wonderful One featured a cover of the Labi Siffre anti-Apartheid anthem "Something Inside So Strong." The song was later remade in 1995 by Armstrong along with Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, and a host of other gospel artists as a tribute to Rosa Parks. The song was serviced to radio stations to play on the 40th anniversary of the civil rights icon's arrest.
Armstrong appeared on Broadway in 1991 in a production of Don't Get God Started. "Always," a Marvin Winans composition that anchors the play, also appears on Armstrong's 1987 self-titled album. Her Broadway role lead to a cameo appearance in the Oprah Winfrey TV special The Women of Brewster Place. Armstrong was also chosen to record the theme to the popular 80's NBC sitcom Amen.
Vanessa Bell Armstrong took a 3 year self-imposed hiatus from recording before releasing A Brand New Day under a new deal with Tommy Boy Gospel in 2001. Vanessa was presented with a lifetime achievement award during 2004's Gospel Superfest.
Armstrong's 2007 album, Walking Miracle, is her first release in 6 years, and blends traditional gospel fare like "So Good To Me" (produced by Smokie Norful) with contemporary songs like "Til The Victory's Won" (produced by Fred Jerkins III) and the title track (produced by Rodney Jerkins). The latter song was inspired by Armstrong's son who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Nobody But Jesus
Vanessa Bell Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before I was born he loved me just the same
Who was the one who took me by the hand
And kept me from all danger the way a father can
Who was the one to lead me along the way?
When I didn't know the path for me to take
Nobody
[Chorus]
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Jesus is the one!
Who was the one to place the sun so high
And hang the stars in space to decorate the sky
Oh who was the one to die on Calvary
With nails in his hands and nails in his feet
Who took the sting from death and victory from the grave?
Then went on back to heaven and He's gonna return one day.
[Chorus]
In Vanessa Bell Armstrong's song Nobody But Jesus, the lyrics are a heartfelt ode to her faith in Jesus Christ as the only one who has been there for her throughout her life. In the first verse, she asks who has been there for her since before she even knew herself, and she credits Jesus as being the one who loved her unconditionally, as if she were already born. She also thanks Jesus for taking her by the hand and guiding her away from harm and danger, as a father would. This imagery is meant to instill a sense of trust and closeness in the relationship that Armstrong has with Jesus.
In the second verse, Armstrong moves on to praising Jesus for his divine power and sacrifice. She acknowledges Jesus as the one who placed the sun and stars in place and as the one who died on Calvary with nails in his hands and feet. She praises him for dying, in her words, to "take the sting from death and victory from the grave", and credits him for going back to heaven and leaving behind the promise of his return. The song is meant to be a celebration of Jesus as the only person one can truly rely on in life, and the one who brings hope, comfort, and a sense of purpose to those who follow him.
Line by Line Meaning
Who was the one when I didn't know my name?
Who was there for me before I even knew my identity?
Before I was born he loved me just the same
He loved me before I even existed.
Who was the one who took me by the hand
Who guided me and protected me like a father would.
And kept me from all danger the way a father can
Who protected me from all harm, just as a father would do for his child.
Who was the one to lead me along the way?
Who showed me the right path when I was lost?
When I didn't know the path for me to take
When I was clueless about my direction in life.
Nobody
There is no one else but Him.
Who was the one to place the sun so high
Who created everything and put everything in its place?
And hang the stars in space to decorate the sky
Who adorned the sky with beautiful constellations?
Oh who was the one to die on Calvary
Who sacrificed himself for our salvation?
With nails in his hands and nails in his feet
Who suffered on the cross for our sins?
Who took the sting from death and victory from the grave?
Who conquered death and gave us victory over it?
Then went on back to heaven and He's gonna return one day.
Who ascended to heaven and promised to come back for us?
Nobody but Jesus
There is nobody else who can do what He does.
Jesus is the one!
He is the only one we need.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diedra Clarke
[Verse 1:]
Who was the one when I didn't know my name?
Before I was born he loved me just the same
Who was the one who took me by my hand
And then he kept me from all danger the way a father can
Who was the one to lead me along the way?
When I didn't know the path for me to take
Nobody
[Chorus:]
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Jesus is the one!
[Verse 2:]
Who was the one to place the sun so high
And hang the stars in space to decorate the sky
Who was the one to die on Calvary with nails in His hands and nails in His feet
Who took the sting from death and victory from the grave
Then went on back to heaven and He's gonna return one day
[Chorus:]
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Jesus is the one
[Chorus:]
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Him!
Gospel Nostalgia
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. (Matt. 17:1-8)
ray french
yes LORD, JESUS is the one. the 1, as there is none other like him.
Sonya Isabell
What a beautiful scripture selection! What Truly An AWESOME GOD we serve indeed! NO ONE LIKE HIM!!!
Patrica Williams
AMEN TO THAT
DADDY'S BABY
Hallelujah!!!! Even SO! COME LORD JESUS!!!!
ForTheLoveOfBeans
Z
Renee Shapiro
I was 14 years old when this song came out. My grandmother played it all the time. I believe by hearing it so much God planted a seed within..since 1984 I've been through so many trials & tribulations. I gave my life back to God in 2014 I can say honestly and believe with all my heart NOBODY BUT JESUS has kept me here...😢😢😢😢tears of joy..HALLEJUAH!
Sam M
Amen! 🙌🏾
Benita Esq.
@Renee Shapiro I’m so delighted to learn that He continues to keep you. Remain in the faith until the end. Pray Bible scriptures over yourself and your family. Sincerely, Benita. Be blessed!
Renee Shapiro
@Benita Esq. Hi! He’s been keeping me completely! I love him! Prayers and blessings for you Beautiful!