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.
Fade Into You
Youth Choir Lyrics
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The mist begins to rise
The shadows still surround Your ways
But when the tinted pane
Is shattered for all time
The clouds will vanish from Your face
All I want to do
All I want to feel
Is Your Fire unconcealed
All I want to hear
Is Your voice in my ear
All I want to do is to fade
Fade into you
When we come as children
You five us all we need
But how the darkness veils Your eyes
But when the night is gone
And light is sown like seeds
We'll melt into a golden sky
All I want to do
Is to fade into you
All I want to feel
Is Your Fire unconcealed
All I want to hear
Is Your voice in my ear
All I want to do is to fade
Fade into you
The lyrics of Youth Choir's song, "Fade Into You," speaks about surrendering oneself to God, wanting to be closer to Him, and desiring to hear His voice. The first stanza talks about kneeling before God and seeing the mist rise as shadows still surround His ways. The use of mist and shadow symbolizes the confusion and unknown in one's relationship with God. However, the line "when the tinted pane is shattered for all time, the clouds will vanish from your face" implies breaking down barriers and seeing God's face clearly. This suggests that one can only see God when they fully submit themselves to Him.
The second verse speaks more about the darkness that may veil God's eyes, yet He still provides humans with all that they need. The use of darkness and light symbolizes the hardships and joys that individuals face in their faith journey. The line "we'll melt into a golden sky" paints an image of a peaceful and harmonious state of being, where one is sure of their relationship with God.
The chorus repeats "all I want to do is to fade into you" several times. This line emphasizes the desire to be intimate with God and to become one with Him. The use of "fade into you" implies blending and losing oneself in God's love. The following lines talk about wanting to feel God's fire, which is the passion and energy that fuels one's faith. Additionally, the line "All I want to hear is your voice in my ear" shows the desire to hear God's guidance in one's life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Fade Into You" convey a sense of longing to deepen one's relationship with God, surrendering oneself to His will and wanting to be led by Him.
Line by Line Meaning
When I kneel before you
When I humbly come before you
The mist begins to rise
A sense of mystery and wonder arises
The shadows still surround Your ways
We may not fully understand your ways and plans
But when the tinted pane
When the filter through which we view the world
Is shattered for all time
Is broken permanently and irreparably
The clouds will vanish from Your face
Our misconceptions of you will be cleared
When we come as children
When we approach you with childlike faith
You give us all we need
You provide everything we require
But how the darkness veils Your eyes
But we struggle to comprehend you due to our own darkness
But when the night is gone
But when the darkness disappears
And light is sown like seeds
And your light is spread like seeds across the world
We'll melt into a golden sky
We'll be fully united with you in a heavenly realm
All I want to do
My greatest desire is
Is to fade into you
To be fully absorbed and blended with you
All I want to feel
I long to experience
Is Your Fire unconcealed
Your passionate love and power revealed
All I want to hear
I yearn to listen to
Is Your voice in my ear
Your reassuring words and guidance
All I want to do is to fade
My sole aspiration is to blend and merge
Fade into you
Become one with you
Contributed by Mila I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.