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.
Alright Tonight
Youth Choir Lyrics
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Like you to come along
To make me feel the way you do
All my life you've passed me by
But it's alright tonight
Yeah it's alright tonight
I don't want to ever turn away
The love I have for you gets stronger each and every day
All my life I've passed you by
But it's alright tonight
Well it's alright tonight
All my life I've passed you by
But it's alright tonight
Well it's alright tonight
The lyrics to Youth Choir's song "Alright Tonight" depict a sense of longing and finally finding someone who completes you. The singer has been waiting all their life for someone like the person they have found. The love they have for this individual is strong and continues to grow each day. The idea that they have passed each other by all their lives is emphasized, but now that they have found each other, it is "alright tonight".
The theme of the song is something that many people can relate to - the feeling of waiting patiently for the right person to come along and the relief that comes with finally finding them. The lyrics express a sense of hope and excitement for the future with this newfound love. The repetition of the phrase "all my life I've passed you by" emphasizes the idea that this person has been in the singer's life for a long time, but it took a while to find each other.
In conclusion, the song is about finding the person who completes you after years of waiting and searching. The lyrics express the hope and excitement that come with this newfound love, and the idea that it is "alright tonight" implies that everything has fallen into place at the right time.
Line by Line Meaning
All my life I've waited for someone
Throughout my life, I have yearned for a person who would enter my life like you have.
Like you to come along
Someone who would possess characters and attributes like yours.
To make me feel the way you do
To make me emotionally content and satisfied just like you do.
All my life you've passed me by
For the longest part of my existence, you have been oblivious of my existence.
But it's alright tonight
But for this moment, it is okay that you had been unaware of me.
Yeah it's alright tonight
Yes, I am fine with the present situation for just tonight.
Now that I have found you
Now that I have finally tracked you down and gotten hold of you.
I don't want to ever turn away
I have no desire to leave you now or in the future.
The love I have for you gets stronger each and every day
My affection for you grows more profound with each passing day.
All my life I've passed you by
It is quite sad that I had ignored you for all this time.
But it's alright tonight
Even though I ignored you, we are still okay for tonight.
Well it's alright tonight
For this night, everything is permissible since I've finally found you.
Contributed by Xavier I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.