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.
Here in the Night
Youth Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying too hard to live my life the best I can
Know I can't start to make it on my own
Living in this darkened place I call my home
Here in the night
Where I live my life
Here in the night
Living in shadowland
Here in the night
I'm such a lonely man
Running from the images I try to hide
Living in this darkened place I live my life
Looking out through windows to a brighter day
Even though I want to leave I have to stay
Here in the night
Where I life my life
Here in the night
Where I try to hide
Living in shadowland
Here in the night
I'm such a lonely man
Running from the images I try to hide
Trying too hard to live my life the best I can
Looking out through windows to a brighter day
Even though I want to leave I have to stay
Here in the night
Where I life my life
Here in the night
Where I try to hide
Living in shadowland
Here in the night
I'm such a lonely man
The lyrics of Youth Choir's Here in the Night talk about a person who is struggling with loneliness and a feeling of being trapped in a dark place with no escape. The opening lines, "Running from the shadow of a lonely man, Trying too hard to live my life the best I can," suggest that the person is haunted by their own loneliness and is trying to run away from it. However, they realize that they cannot make it on their own and are stuck in this dark place, which is their home.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Here in the night" three times, emphasizing the notion of being trapped in a dark and lonely place. The person is trying to hide from their problems, but they are living in shadowland, where they are continuously haunted by their struggles. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and despair that often comes with feelings of loneliness and not having a way out.
In essence, the song is an anthem for anyone who is struggling with overwhelming feelings of loneliness and is trying to find a way out of a dark place. It encourages people to keep trying to find a brighter day and to not give up, even if they feel like they are all alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Running from the shadow of a lonely man
I am constantly trying to escape the feelings of loneliness that haunt me
Trying too hard to live my life the best I can
I am putting in a lot of effort to live my life well, despite the difficulties
Know I can't start to make it on my own
I realize that I cannot handle everything on my own and need help
Living in this darkened place I call my home
I am living in a place that represents the sadness and despair I feel
Here in the night
Where I live my life
I feel like I am only truly alive in the darkness of night
Here in the night
Where I try to hide
I use the cover of night to hide my pain and struggles from the world
Living in shadowland
My life feels like it is lived in the shadow of something greater
I'm such a lonely man
Despite my efforts, I feel incredibly isolated and alone
Running from the images I try to hide
I am constantly avoiding the unpleasant memories and thoughts that plague me
Looking out through windows to a brighter day
I am searching for hope and a better future
Even though I want to leave I have to stay
I feel trapped and unable to escape my current situation
Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jeremy T
Classic.