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
Shine on Me
Vanessa Bell Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shine on me
Turn on the lights from heaven, Lord
Shine on me, shine on me
(Turn on the lights and put me on the right road)
Help me find my way, Lord
Turn on the lights from heaven, Lord
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine on me, shine on me
The lyrics of Vanessa Bell Armstrong's song "Shine On Me" draw upon a powerful biblical metaphor of light to express a deep sense of spiritual longing and surrender. In the first stanza, the singer implores the Lord to "turn on the lights from heaven" and shine upon her, an appeal that suggests a desire for divine guidance and illumination in navigating the challenges of life. The repetition of "shine on me" reinforces this plea for God's light to be a constant presence and source of inspiration.
The second stanza reinforces this theme of divine guidance, as the singer asks the Lord to help her find her way along the "right road." The juxtaposition of "turn on the lights" and "put me on the right road" suggests a belief that the path to fulfillment and purpose is illuminated by God's light, and that it is easy to stumble without it. The repetition of "shine on me" once again emphasizes the singer's deep longing for this divine guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn on the lights from heaven, Lord
Please guide me towards a better path, help me find my way using your divine intervention
Shine on me
Please show me the right way to achieve my goals and overcome obstacles
Help me find my way, Lord
I need your guidance and intervention to lead me towards the right direction in life
Shine on me, shine on me
Please keep guiding me at all times, do not leave me alone in the darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
Please guide me with your divine light and help me overcome all the challenges that come my way
Shine on me, shine on me
Please bless me with your divine grace so that I can lead a life full of happiness and positivity
Shine on me, shine on me
Please guide my steps and light my path so that I can achieve my dreams and aspirations
Contributed by Jack D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deltha Alston
on Yes He Loves Me
Lyric to the song I don't no why he cares