The Wilson sisters and Phillips were friends from childhood, growing up in southern California in the 1970's and 1980's. The three shared a love of music and songwriting, and developed their own style of vocal harmonies. In 1989, producer Glen Ballard and SBK Records signed the trio to a record deal.
Wilson Phillips released their debut album Wilson Phillips in 1990. They shot to fame with their debut single, the # 1 hit "Hold On". The album was a hit, producing three number one singles and selling 10 million copies worldwide.
They released their follow-up album Shadows and Light in 1992. It was much less successful, producing no top ten singles and selling one million copies. Shortly after, the group decided to split up.
During the next decade, the group went their separate ways. Chynna Phillips released a solo album, "Naked and Sacred" in 1995, while the Wilson sisters released a Christmas album in 1993 and an album "The Wilsons" in 1997. Carnie also went on to host her own television talk show, while Phillips married actor William Baldwin. A "Greatest Hits" album was released in 2000, although the group did not officially reunite for this release. Carnie made headlines in 1999 when she underwent gastric bypass surgery live on the internet and lost over 20 dress sizes.
Wilson Phillips reunited in 2004 to release California, an album of cover songs. A single, 'Go Your Own Way,' a remake of the original by Fleetwood Mac, peaked at #13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The album debuted at #35 on the charts with 31,000 copies sold but due to the lack of promotion the album has yet to reach sales of 100,000 copies. In New Zealand the album was a surprise hit, reaching the top 10 and amassing gold sales following 'Go Your Own Way' topping the adult contemporary radio chart for several weeks.
When a Child Is Born
Wilson Phillips Lyrics
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A shiny star lights up way up high
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born
A silent wish sails the seven seas
The winds have changed whisperin' the trees
And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn
A rosy fume settles all around
You've got the feel you're on solid ground
For a spell or two no-one seems forlorn
This comes to pass when a child is born
And all of this happened
Because when world is waiting
Waiting for one child
Black, white, yellow, no one knows
But a child that would grow up and turn tears to laughter
Hate to love, war to peace
And everyone to everyone's neighbor
Misery and suffering would be forgotten forever
It's all a dream and illusion now
It must come true, sometimes soon somehow
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born
When a child is born
The lyrics to Wilson Phillips's song "When A Child Is Born" describe the feeling of hope and possibility that a new life brings. The opening lines, "A ray of hope flitters in the sky / A shiny star lights up way up high" evoke a sense of magic and wonder surrounding the birth of a child. The following lines speak of the transformative power of a new life: "All across the land dawns a brand new morn / This comes to pass when a child is born."
The second verse speaks of the ripple effect that a child's life can have on the world. A "silent wish" sails the seven seas, and the winds of change whisper through the trees, as the walls of doubt crumble. The implication is that the birth of a child can have a unifying effect on the world, bringing people together and inspiring hope and progress.
The final verse speaks of the dream of a world in which love and peace prevail, and in which "misery and suffering would be forgotten forever." The implication is that the birth of a child brings us one step closer to this ideal world.
Line by Line Meaning
A ray of hope flitters in the sky
A glimmer of hope appears in the air
A shiny star lights up way up high
A bright star shines high in the sky
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
A new morning arrives, bringing new beginnings to all
This comes to pass when a child is born
All of these things happen because a child is born
A silent wish sails the seven seas
A wish travels across the world's oceans quietly
The winds have changed whisperin' the trees
The winds have shifted and the trees rustle with a new energy
And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn
Doubt and uncertainty disappear and are replaced by a sense of peace
A rosy fume settles all around
A feeling of positivity and warmth fills the air
You've got the feel you're on solid ground
You feel stable and secure in your surroundings
For a spell or two no-one seems forlorn
For a brief time, no one feels sad or lonely
This comes to pass when a child is born
All of these things happen because a child is born
And all of this happened
All of these changes occurred
Because when world is waiting
Because the world was anticipating
Waiting for one child
Waiting for the birth of a child
Black, white, yellow, no one knows
The child's race or ethnicity doesn't matter
But a child that would grow up and turn tears to laughter
A child who would bring happiness and joy to those around them
Hate to love, war to peace
A child who would replace hate with love and war with peace
And everyone to everyone's neighbor
A child who would bring people together as if they were all neighbors
Misery and suffering would be forgotten forever
Pain and hardship would disappear from people's memories
It's all a dream and illusion now
All of this still feels like a distant dream
It must come true, sometimes soon somehow
But it must become a reality, sooner rather than later
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
A new day comes bringing the hope of change to everyone
This comes to pass when a child is born
All of these things happen because a child is born
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
A new day comes bringing the hope of change to everyone
This comes to pass when a child is born
All of these things happen because a child is born
When a child is born
All of these things occur when a child is born
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alberto Salerno, Bembo A Baldan, Ciro Dammicco, Francesco Specchia, Maurizio Seymandi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind