The American group White Heart has had one of the longest careers in Christ… Read Full Bio ↴The American group White Heart has had one of the longest careers in Christian rock, beginning in 1982 with the release of their debut album WHITE HEART and lasting all the way to 1997, when their last album REDEMPTION was released. Through these years they have been considered among the pioneers of Christian rock, and their popularity has not wavered, despite frequent personnel changes. The band's musical style is not totally straight-forward, as it includes a hint of progressiveness.

White Heart has never actually stated that they have disbanded, but there hasn't been any consistent musical activity by them as a group since 1997. However, in August 2006 they had a reunion concert at the third annual Soul2Soul Honors event in New Albany, Indiana (Louisville, Kentucky), with the following line-up: Billy Smiley, Rick Florian, Mark Gershmel, Tommy Sims, Jon Knox and Gordon Kennedy.

Discography (with personnel history):

*WHITE HEART (1982 - Home Sweet Home/Myrrh)
*Gary Lunn - bass
*Steve Green - vocals
*David Huff - drums, percussion
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, synthesizers, vocals
*Dann Huff - lead and rhythm guitars, vocals
*Billy Smiley - keyboards, rhythm guitars, vocals

*VITAL SIGNS (1984 - Home Sweet Home/Myrrh)
*Billy Smiley - piano, acoustic guitar, vocals
*David Huff - drums, percussion
*Gary Lunn - bass guitars
*Mark Gershmel - synthesizers, piano, vocals
*Dann Huff - rhythm & lead guitars, acoustic guitar, vocals
*Scott Douglas - vocals

*HOTLINE (1985 - Home Sweet Home, Inc)
*Gary Lunn - bass
*Scott Douglas - lead vocals
*Gordon Kennedy - lead guitars, guitars, vocals
*David Huff - drums, percussion
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, vocals
*Billy Smiley - keyboards, guitars, vocals

*DON'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE (1986 - Sparrow Records)
*Ric Florian - lead vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, vocals, trombone
*Gordon Kennedy - guitars, lead guitar, sitar, vocals
*Gary Lunn - bass, linn programming
*Chris McHugh - drums, percussion
*Billy Smiley - vocals, keyboards, guitar, trumpet

*EMERGENCY BROADCAST (1987 - Sparrow Records)
*Chris McHugh - drums and percussion
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, vocals
*Tommy Sims - bass guitar, synth bass, keyboards, vocals
*Gordon Kennedy - lead and rhythm guitars, vocals
*Billy Smiley - vocals, rhythm guitar
*Rick Florian - lead vocals

*FREEDOM (1989 - Sparrow Records)
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards and lead vocals
*Billy Smiley - guitars and vocals
*Gordon Kennedy - guitars and vocals
*Tommy Sims - bass and vocals
*Chris McHugh - drums
*Rikk Florian - lead vocals

*POWERHOUSE (1990 - Star Song Records)
*Riq Florian - lead vocals, background vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, lead vocals, background vocals
*Mark Nemer - drums and percussion
*Anthony Sallee - bass guitar
*Billy Smiley - acoustic and rhythm guitars, and background vocals
*Brian Wooten - rhythm and lead guitars

*TALES OF WONDER (1992 - Star Song Records)
*Ricke Florian - lead vocals, background vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, lead vocals, background vocals, recorder
*Billy Smiley - rickenbacker 12-string, hi-string, and 12-string acoustic guitars, background vocals
*Brian Wooten - lead guitar, rhythm guitar, gut string guitar
*Anthony Sallee - bass, fretless bass
*Jon Knox - drums ("Vendetta")
*Chris McHugh - drums (all tracks except "Vendetta")

*HIGHLANDS (1993 - Star Song Records)
*Rhic Florian - lead vocals, background vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, percussion, lead vocals, background vocals, recorder
*Brian Wooten - rhythm & lead guitars
*Anthony Sallee - bass
*Jon Knox - drums, percussion
*Billy Smiley - rhythm guitars, acoustic & octave acoustic guitars, background vocals

*NOTHING BUT THE BEST - ROCK CLASSICS (1994 - Star Song Records)
*NOTHING BUT THE BEST - RADIO CLASSICS (1994 - Star Song Records)
*Rikcq Florian - lead and background vocals
*Mark Gershmel - keyboards, percussion programming, and lead vocals
*Jon Knox - drums
*Chris McHugh - drums (Climb the Hill)
*Mark Hill - Bass
*Brian Wooten - guitars
*Billy Smiley - guitars and vocals

*INSIDE (1995 - Curb Records)
*Rick Florian - lead & background vocals
*Billy Smiley - acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals
*Mark Gersmehl - organ, piano, synths, lead & background vocals
*Brian Wooten - electric & acoustic guitars, lead guitars
*John Thorn - electric & acoustic bass, background vocals
*Jon Knox - drums, percussion

*REDEMPTION (1997 - Curb Records)
*Rick Florian - lead & background vocals
*Mark Gersmehl - keyboards, lead & background vocals, loops
*Billy Smiley - acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals
*Mike Mead (drums) records for this album but continues with other projects
*Barry Graul (lead guitar) records for this project but continues with other projects (including lead guitar for DC Talk)
*Mark Hill (bass) records for this album but continues with other projects

http://www.whiteheart.com

Speed of Sound
White Heart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

With instruments in hand
We'll cut across this land
Let's make some noise in these united
States of emergency
Spiritual urgency
Set up the wires and cue the band

We'll take the message of the Lord

We'll be singing, voices ringing
His love is shining through in every chord
We ain't slowin' down, comin' at the speed
Of sound

No time to hesitate
Get out before it's too late
Somewhere there's someone who needs to
Hear
There and everywhere
Must let 'em know He cares
His power's in the music and it just won't
Wait

Let's take the message of the Lord
Let there be no doubt what we're singin'
About
His love is shining through in every chord
No stoppin' us now, comin' at the speed of
Sound

Let's take the message of the Lord
We'll be singing, voices ringing
His love is shining through in every chord

We ain't slowin' down, comin' at the speed
Of sound

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from "Speed of Sound" by Christian rock band White Heart express a sense of urgency to spread the message of the Lord through music. The band members see themselves as part of a mission to bring spiritual hope and inspiration to the people they encounter as they travel across the United States. They recognize the importance of connecting with listeners and sharing the love and power of God with them.

The lyrics also suggest a sense of excitement and dedication on the part of the band members. They are eager to cut across the land, make noise, and set up their equipment to play. They are committed to their mission and confident in the effectiveness of their music to communicate their message. They can't afford to hesitate or slow down - there are people who need to hear what they have to say.

The repeated line "His love is shining through in every chord" implies that the band members see their music as an expression of God's love. Through their lyrics and instrumentation, they hope to convey a sense of joy, peace, and hope to those who are feeling lost or in need of spiritual guidance. Overall, these lyrics express a belief in the power of music to bring people together and inspire them to connect with a higher power.

Line by Line Meaning

With instruments in hand
As we hold our instruments

We'll cut across this land
We'll travel far and wide

Let's make some noise in these united
Let's create a stir in this land

States of emergency
In the midst of chaos

Spiritual urgency
We're on a mission for God

Set up the wires and cue the band
Get ready to play the music

We'll take the message of the Lord
We'll spread God's word

We'll be singing, voices ringing
Our singing will resonate

His love is shining through in every chord
God's love is expressed in our music

We ain't slowin' down, comin' at the speed
We won't be stopped, playing fast

Of sound
Music is our tool