Th… Read Full Bio ↴ZOEgirl was a very successful Christian pop rock band from 2000-2006.
The group was started with the three ladies: Alisa Noelle Girard, Chrissy Conway and Kristin Swinford. The three have each gotten married since then and go by the following names: Alisa Childers, Kristin Schweain, Chrissy Conway-Katina.
With more than 1 million albums sold worldwide and an impressive track record that heralds them as the fastest-selling debut artist in the 26-year history of Sparrow Records, ZOEgirl has managed to create a success story that continues to get bigger and bigger with the release of each new album. Performances at venues like New York's Madison Square Garden, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Walt Disney World have helped ZOEgirl become one of the top female pop groups in Christian musica platform upon which Chrissy Conway, Alisa Girard and Kristin Swinford keep building brick by brick. ZOEgirl exploded onto the scene in 2000 with the group's self-titled debut (ZOEgirl), scoring four Top 5 radio hits. They followed with a sophomore album, Life, which continued to propel the girls' blossoming career. Those first two projects placed ZOEgirl in front of hundreds of thousands of fans on stage with artists such as Newsboys, Plus One, Avalon and Carman. Following the late 2003 release of their last album, Different Kind Of FREE, ZOEgirl hit the ground running as a featured artist on the 25-city Shoutfest tour before heading out on their first headlining tour in early 2004.
The FREE Experience tour, which also featured Superchick, Joy Williams and Focus on the Family speaker Susie Shellenberger, was a huge success with audiences across the country. The FREE Experience tour saw sell-out attendances in many markets during a year when the touring industry was taking a hard hit. Now, with Room To Breathe, their first new album in over a year, ZOEgirl is moving forward with some of the most compelling music of their career. Produced by Mark Heimermann, Double Dutch (Robert Marvin), Josiah Bell, Shawn Shankel, Tedd T and Dan Muckala, Room To Breathe encompasses ZOEgirl's growth as singers, songwriters, artists and women. "I think with each album we've been able to integrate more and more of who we are," Alisa says. "We've really seen a need and have been trying to fill that void for young girls to have a different option when it comes to pop music, and we've done it without trying to fit into any kind of mold or demographic. I think we've just really focused in on who our listeners are and what they want to hear." As every recording artist knows, longevity does not come easily in a fast-paced music industry that is constantly chasing the next big trend. But ZOEgirl's biggest accomplishment is their unending ability to connect with their fans around the world. "Our audience is constantly expanding," says Chrissy. "We've got younger girls, teenagers (including boys!), and parents coming to all of our shows and they are having a great time.
We've had some great conversations with them and we really love getting their feedback."
That feedback whether it comes through letters, after-show meetings or one-on-one time spent with young girls on recent mission trips translates into some of the real life moments Chrissy, Alisa and Kristin write about on their albums. Room To Breathe captures those poignant moments that come straight from the heart. Filled with soaring harmonies and brimming with a personal style that is quintessentially their own, the CD's tracks include the album's first radio single, About You, an up-tempo pop melody about learning to take the focus off yourself and make it all about God. Dead Serious, the track ZOEgirl calls the most fun song on the album, is a tribute to "all of those kids who really are standing up for what they believe, even though it's not always the most popular thing to do", Kristin explains. The album's title is pulled from a song called The Way You Love Me, written by Chrissy and songwriter Lynn Nichols. "This song talks about how it's so unfathomable to realize how much God loves us despite what we do every day", Chrissy explains. "We can't ever fully grasp how he could love us so much that he died for us. The lyrics say, You gave me room to breathe, a place to get away. I'm standing in your presence with a debt I can't repay".
One of the album's most honest and affecting songs is Scream, a lyric and music written by Alisa and inspired in part by some painfully revealing stories told by girls the group met on the road and while on a mission trip. "There are girls out there who admit to all kinds of self-destructive behaviors like eating disorders, drug abuse, drinking and cutting themselves out of a desperate need to numb the pain and cry out for help," Alisa shares. Does anybody know how I feel? Sometimes I'm numb; sometimes I'm overcome...Do I have to scream for you to hear me? Do I have to bleed for you to see me? Because I grieve and you're not listening to me. The song was a shower of emotions for Alisa, who was jointly inspired by hearing the deep hurts shared by the girls she'd met, and in honestly grieving her own personal pain and dealing with depression. "It took me two hours to write the whole song, and it was as if in that two hours I went through the pain of it and the healing of it. It was as if God just poured it out of me. It was so powerful." Having traveled on summer mission trips for the past two years, Chrissy, Alisa and Kristin have gained a renewed passion and vision to reach the world. As part of that effort, they have launched ZOEgirl Missions, a way to partner with their listeners in reaching out to areas in need. The first official ZOEgirl Missions trip took place last summer in Quito, Ecuador. Partnering with Big World Ventures, ZOEgirl took a missions group to visit retirement homes, play with children in orphanages, perform drama and music, and participate in various work and building projects for churches in Quito. This July, ZOEgirl is planning a second trip to Ecuador, partnering again with Big World Ventures, and taking various teams with specific gifts. Chrissy, Alisa and Kristin will bring with them construction teams, music and worship teams, and teams that will visit nursing homes and orphanages. They will spend time with the residents, nurturing and serving them with whatever they need, whether it's a haircut, a hug, or someone to sit with them and hold their hand. It's ZOEgirl's hope that they will touch those who experience so little human touch. "If we hadn't done these trips we wouldn't be the group we are now," says Alisa. "The girls who have gone on these trips have inspired more songs than they know." "These trips have really opened my eyes to the world,"
Chrissy adds. "It has given me a new appreciation for life and has taught me so much in the process." Glancing back, in the rear-view mirror of their career, it's the relationships they build, the lives they touch and the impact they make for Christ that fuels this trio of women more than anything else. "At the end of the day, in 20 years, I want to get a letter that says, I gave my heart to Jesus at a ZOEgirl concert,'" Alisa says. "To me, that's success. It's great to sell albums and win awards, but we aren't truly successful if we aren't leading people to heaven. That's eternal." Chrissy adds, "If we were remembered for anything else it wouldn't seem like we had fulfilled what we know God has called us to do."
ZOEgirl after 2006:
After Chrissy Conway's 2005 marriage to one of the Katinas, she now goes by Chrissy Conway-Katina.
When ZOEgirl announced their disbandment in 2006, Kristin took some time off but in spring of 2007, started working on solo material. Her tentative solo album was set to release on March 1, 2008 but in March 2008 announced that on her official MySpace that she will no longer release a solo album in favor of forming a new musical group ColmanBlue. As of May 2008, the group consists of Kelli Trontell and herself. Chrissy was interviewed by Amy Hagberg in April 2008: The hour long interview can be heard here.
Reason To Live
ZOEgirl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've asked myself so many times
Is there a reason I'm here?
I wish someone would make it clear
'Cause I'm living from day to day, feeling so far away
Maybe I'm not as sane as I thought
Keeping my eyes on You is something I've gotta do
Even when I don't feel like it
I won't give up, I won't give in
I'm ready for my life to start again
I won't back down, I'll stand my ground
The time is now to show the love I've found
I've got a reason to breathe, I've got the freedom to stand
The future is mine, I'll give it all I can
To break down the walls that hold me in
It's my reason to live
My reason to wake up every day and bless Your name
In the crush of this crazy messed up world
Only You have stayed the same
I know I have a place here in amazing grace
Forever safe, forever sound
Time after time I see You are the best in me
You're everything I'm chasing after
Listen as the walls fall down
Hear the nations calling out
ZOEgirl's song "Reason to Live" is an introspective and reflective piece about the journey of life and its purpose. The lyrics open with the singer questioning the very meaning of their existence and asking whether there's any specific explanation or purpose for their life. The lyrics are a reflection of the singer's uncertainty and confusion as they feel lost, disconnected, and unable to find any answers despite the numerous times they have asked the questions. In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that keeping their eyes on God is something they must do, even when it's difficult or they don't feel like it. The chorus delivers the message of hope and determination as the singer insists they won't give up or back down, but they will push forward and live life to the fullest, breaking down walls that have held them captive.
Throughout the song, there is an emphasis on the concept of freedom - freedom to stand, breathe, and live. The song stresses the idea that the future is uncertain and entirely in the hands of the individual. The lyrics encourage one to chase after the best version of themselves and discover what makes their life exciting and worthwhile. The song culminates in an exhortation for the listener to "listen as the walls fall down" and open themselves up to new, unexpected experiences while making a positive impact on the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
What is the meaning of life?
The singer wonders about the purpose of life that may have crossed her mind several times.
I've asked myself so many times
The singer questions herself multiple times about the reason for her existence.
Is there a reason I'm here?
The singer is unsure about the reason for her existence.
I wish someone would make it clear
The singer wishes for someone to help her understand the reason for her existence.
'Cause I'm living from day to day, feeling so far away
The singer is living her life every day feeling disconnected from her purpose.
Maybe I'm not as sane as I thought
The singer wonders if she is mentally incapable of understanding the purpose of her life.
Keeping my eyes on You is something I've gotta do
The singer believes that she needs to have faith in God and focus on Him to understand her purpose.
Even when I don't feel like it
The singer acknowledges that there will be times when she will feel demotivated but still needs to have faith.
I won't give up, I won't give in
The singer affirms that she will not quit or lose hope in finding her purpose.
I'm ready for my life to start again
The singer is willing and excited to start her life anew by discovering her purpose.
I won't back down, I'll stand my ground
The singer will not lose hope or compromise on understanding her purpose.
The time is now to show the love I've found
The singer believes that the present is the right time to spread the love and positivity she has found.
I've got a reason to breathe, I've got the freedom to stand
The singer has discovered a purpose to live and has the freedom to stand up for it.
The future is mine, I'll give it all I can
The singer is optimistic about her future and is willing to give it her best shot.
To break down the walls that hold me in
The singer is determined to break free from any negative thoughts that prevent her from discovering her purpose.
It's my reason to live
The singer has found her reason to live and is content with it.
My reason to wake up every day and bless Your name
The singer has found her reason to live and will spend each day thanking God for it.
In the crush of this crazy messed up world
The singer acknowledges that the world is chaotic and imperfect.
Only You have stayed the same
The singer believes that God is the only constant thing in the ever-changing world.
I know I have a place here in amazing grace
The singer finds comfort in the grace of God and believes that she has a unique place in it.
Forever safe, forever sound
The singer believes that her faith in God will protect her and keep her safe forever.
Time after time I see You are the best in me
The singer believes that God brings out the best in her every time she is with Him.
You're everything I'm chasing after
The singer believes that God is the only thing she is pursuing in her life.
Listen as the walls fall down
The singer encourages people to let go of their negative thoughts and let positivity in.
Hear the nations calling out
The singer believes that the world needs love and positivity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: ALISA CHILDERS, JOSIAH BELL, KRISTIN SWINFORD, LYNN NICHOLS, ROBERT MARVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind