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.
Wounds of a Young Heart
Youth Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking out through fearful eyes
Voices of the lonely
Crying in the night
Wounds of a young heart crying in the night
Wounds of a young heart looking for the light
Longing to be free
Knights in shining armor
Another fantasy
Wounds of a young heart crying in the night
Wounds of a young heart looking for the light
Won't you show them Jesus loves them
Won't you show them that He cares
See them all around you
Looking out through the fearful eyes
Voices of the lonely
Crying in the night
Wounds of a young heart crying in the night
Wounds of a young heart looking for the light
The lyrics of Youth Choir's song "Wounds of a Young Heart" sheds light on the struggles of the young and the desperate need for love and hope. The opening lines paint a picture of a broken world with fearful eyes and voices of the lonely crying out in the night. The youthful heart is depicted as wounded and searching for the light, yearning to be free and finding someone who can rescue them from their challenging situations.
The chorus emphasizes the pain of the young heart crying out in the night, pleading for help, and the desperation to find healing. The longing for love and care is echoed in the message, urging listeners to show them that Jesus loves and cares for them. By offering love and hope, we can be the "knights in shining armor," fulfilling the desire of their hearts and pointing them in the right direction.
The song's lyrics are thought-provoking and relevant, addressing the issue of the young's difficulties and the need for compassion and love. It is a reminder that we all can play a role in making the world a better place by showing love, hope, and care to one another.
Line by Line Meaning
See them all around you
Observe the young hearts around you
Looking out through fearful eyes
They are observing the world with fear in their eyes
Voices of the lonely
The young hearts' voices are expressing their loneliness
Crying in the night
Their sorrowful cries echo in the night
Wounds of a young heart crying in the night
The pain experienced by young hearts is profound and often kept hidden
Wounds of a young heart looking for the light
Young hearts hope to find a path to happiness and fulfillment, despite their pain
Search for love around them
They are seeking love and acceptance from those around them
Longing to be free
They yearn for freedom from their pain and struggles
Knights in shining armor
They cling to the idea of a savior who will rescue them from their troubles
Another fantasy
Unfortunately, this idea is often just a fantasy that will never come true
Won't you show them Jesus loves them
We can offer them hope and love through the teachings of Jesus
Won't you show them that He cares
We can show them that Jesus cares for them and their struggles
Contributed by Hudson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.