The band's first official recording was the track "It's So Wonderful", released in 1983 on the compilation album What's Shakin', which also included early work from Undercover, Altar Boys and The Lifters. This song was one of the few times that lead singer Derri Daugherty wrote both lyrics and music; as the band developed, the majority of The Choir's lyrical output would come from drummer/percussionist Steve Hindalong. As Youth Choir, they released their debut album Voices in Shadows in 1984, with Mike Saurerbrey on bass; their first EP Shades of Gray followed a year later, when Dan Michaels joined the band.
The Choir made a high-profile move to Myrrh Records in 1986 with their next release, Diamonds and Rain. Dropping the "Youth" from their moniker, they would be known as The Choir from that point forward. This was followed by three more albums for Myrrh, which featured musical contributions from an array of Christian performers, including Charlie Peacock, Mark Heard, Steve Griffith of Vector and Gene Eugene and Riki Michele from Adam Again. The Choir's lineup also changed. Tim Chandler was the primary bass player until 1989's Wide-Eyed Wonder, as Robin Spurs replaced him on that album and tour, but she left the band during the recording of 1990's Circle Slide. Mike Sauerbrey returned to the band briefly for these recording sessions. Chandler would rejoin the lineup for the independently-released Kissers and Killers. Spurs would not play with the band again until 2017, when she performed on the Wide-Eyed Wonder reunion tour.
The Choir toured extensively during this time, notably as the first band on stage at the inaugural Cornerstone Festival in Chicago in 1984. They also performed at the Greenbelt Festival in England in 1986, and opened for Russ Taff on his nationwide tour in 1989. References to the band's tour experiences would remain an ongoing source of lyrical inspiration. During their Southern California period, The Choir's music was described by the Los Angeles Times as "magical songs that combine strains of murky psychedelia with pure pop." Billboard praised the band for its "dark poetic leanings, effects-laden guitars and strong melodic hooks". Hindalong's lyrics became known for their vulnerability and honesty, particularly about the challenges inherent in romantic relationships and the simple joys of family life.
A Million Years
Youth Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the pain will go away
And this hurting will have ended
Looking forward to the time
When I leave this world behind
And eternity begins
A resting place inside Your arms
And then I'll stay
A million years to be with You
A million years and more
Well it won't be long at all
'Til at last I hear Your call
And the darkness will be ended
When the Heavens open wide
And You call me to Your side
Then a new life will begin
A resting place inside Your arms
A resting place I'll find
And then I'll stay
A million years to be with You
A million years and more
In "A Million Years," Youth Choir expresses their longing for a world free from pain and sorrow. They look forward to leaving this earthly life behind and finding rest in the arms of God. The lyrics speak of a new existence that begins after death, where believers will experience eternal life with their creator.
The first verse speaks of the current state of the world and the hope for a better future. The pain and hurt that we experience in life will one day come to an end, and we will enter into eternity. The second verse describes the believer's final destination, where they will find rest in the arms of God. The chorus repeats the phrase "A million years to be with you" as a reminder of the everlasting life that awaits us in Heaven.
The song also touches on the idea of being called home by God. The bridge states that "It won't be long at all 'til at last I hear your call." The lyrics suggest that the end of our earthly lives is not something to fear, but rather something to look forward to, as it means entering into a new life.
Overall, "A Million Years" is a hopeful and encouraging song that reminds the listener of the peace and joy that are waiting for believers in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking forward to the day
I am eager to experience a day when I will no longer suffer.
When the pain will go away
I am hopeful that the agony I currently feel will come to an end.
And this hurting will have ended
I anticipate a time when all my pain and suffering will cease to exist.
Looking forward to the time
I am excited for a specific moment in the future.
When I leave this world behind
I anticipate the moment when I will no longer be living in this world.
And eternity begins
I look forward to starting a new, everlasting existence.
A resting place inside Your arms
I look forward to feeling safe and secure within Your embrace.
A resting place I'll find
I hope to find a peaceful, calm place where I can relax.
And then I'll stay
Once I reach this resting place, I will remain there for as long as it is possible.
A million years to be with You
I hope to spend a great amount of time in Your presence.
A million years and more
I am open to the idea of spending an indefinite amount of time with You in the future.
Well it won't be long at all
I believe that the awaited moment is close and will arrive soon.
'Til at last I hear Your call
I anticipate the moment when You will reach out to me.
And the darkness will be ended
I anticipate a moment when all the hopelessness and despair will come to an end.
When the Heavens open wide
I hope for the moment when the sky will open up and reveal new things to me.
And You call me to Your side
I hope to receive an invitation from You to be close to You.
Then a new life will begin
I anticipate a moment when I will be able to begin a brand new life.
Contributed by Julian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mike Bennett
Taking me back...when I was still just a kid of 21 yrs. Still my life...an unwritten book!
ugadawgs1990
I had this cassette. The Choir is still putting out amazing music.
stuksy4321
love this simple song.
Tom Filipiak
Just thought of this song. Had the LP. Why ever did I get rid of it? So many memories of hard but very good times.
NoDFexx Over
Is this on Spotify? I hope it is
Johannes Turunen
Nope.
Jeremy T
Sacred Bovine, this rules. I have this cd, however, it's on a compilation disc, I had NO idea this one was from 1985!!!! when they were still called Youth Choir! Agree w/ dilirah below... One of the BEST Choir songs!!!