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.
Why Are All the Children Crying?
Youth Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little baby cries
It's mother stares in horror
And watches her son die
In a far off land across the sea
A thousand children cry
Empty stomachs filled with pain
A thousand children die
Why are all the children crying?
Why are all their eyes so dim?
Why are all the children crying?
Why have we forgotten them?
Another heart stops beating
Another one begins
One child's life has started
One child's has to end
Born into a heartless world
They need someone to care
Will we five our love to them
Or will we stand and stare
Why are all the children crying?
Why are all their eyes so dim?
Why are all the children crying?
Why have we forgotten them?
The lyrics of Youth Choir's song Why Are All the Children Crying? paint a stark picture of the plight of children in different parts of the world. At the beginning of the song, we are introduced to a situation in Los Angeles where a mother is watching her helpless child die while in a far-off land, thousands of children are dying due to hunger and other related issues. The song then goes on to ask several pertinent questions such as "Why are all the children crying?", "Why are all their eyes so dim?" and "Why have we forgotten them?". These questions evoke feelings of sorrow and an urgent need to do something to help those in need.
The song highlights the fact that children around the world are suffering due to neglect, abuse, poverty, and inhumane living conditions. Despite the fact that we live in a world that is more connected than ever before and we have more resources at our disposal, we have failed to provide a good life to these children. The song is a call to action, urging people to look around and empathize with the innocent children who are suffering and do something to help them out.
Line by Line Meaning
On a rainy night in LA
One night, during rainy weather in Los Angeles
A little baby cries
A small infant is sobbing
It's mother stares in horror
The baby's mother looks on in shock
And watches her son die
She witnesses her child's passing
In a far off land across the sea
In a foreign country across the ocean
A thousand children cry
One thousand kids are weeping
Empty stomachs filled with pain
Suffering from hunger pangs
A thousand children die
One thousand children pass away
Why are all the children crying?
The reason for the distress of all youngsters
Why are all their eyes so dim?
What causes the lack of brightness in the kids' gazes
Why are all the children crying?
The reason for the distress of all youngsters
Why have we forgotten them?
Why do we neglect and overlook their hardships?
Another heart stops beating
Another person's heart ceases to function
Another one begins
But someone else is born
One child's life has started
A kid's existence has just commenced
One child's has to end
While another is about to finish
Born into a heartless world
They come into a cruel and unfeeling society
They need someone to care
They require compassionate attention
Will we five our love to them
Will we bestow our affection upon them?
Or will we stand and stare
Or will we just look and do nothing?
Why are all the children crying?
The reason for the distress of all youngsters
Why are all their eyes so dim?
What causes the lack of brightness in the kids' gazes
Why are all the children crying?
The reason for the distress of all youngsters
Why have we forgotten them?
Why do we neglect and overlook their hardships?
Contributed by Avery F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jairockification
HEY EXCELENTE ALBUM EXCELENTES CANCIONES GRACIAS POR SUBIRLAS, EXCELLENT ALBUM EXCELLENT SONGS THANX FOR UPLOADING,I´M FROM MEXICO AND TODAY I MET THIS EXCELLENT BAND I NEVER WONDER EXISTED,GOOD VERY GOOD MUSIC ,80S RULES GODBLESS
@freespirits1989
U2 had to be an influence on their early style- at least in the guitar work. Go listen to the cd's "Boy", "October", and "War". Very U2ish in the Youth Choir/The Choir up to "Diamonds and Rain"