The sonically ambitious project marks the next phase in the evolution of the group, who stepped boldly onto the national stage in 2010 with their critically and commercially acclaimed debut Get Ready. Featuring the #1 hit “He Wants It All,” that album earned a GRAMMY® nomination, while winning a Stellar Award for Best Contemporary Group along with three Dove Award nominations, including the prestigious New Artist of the Year.
Rather than to rest on that success, forever JONES used their new platform to challenge themselves as songwriters, musicians, and worshippers. “There has been an evolution of writing. The family has grown and the kids have grown as writers,” says Dewitt III, father and spiritual leader of the group. “There was collaboration on this album where we wrote all of the songs together. That was an interesting journey for us…very, very powerful. That’s why you hear so much diversity in the music.”
The initial steps in their musical journey began more than thirty years ago in Yakima, Washington as Dewitt and Kim Jones cultivated the habit of family prayer and worship. Eight years ago, the couple, along with their five children---D’Jeniele’ (pronounced Jineel), Dominique, Dewitt IV, Judah and Mya---relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana to become part of the ministry staff at Shreveport Community Church.
“Prior to this album, our writing had never been intentional,” Kim says. “This time we all sat down and wrote together. Each member brought the beginning of an idea as he or she heard it in prayer, then we’d pray a little and just start writing. We were all in a room. Different ones had keyboards, guitars, journals, and recorders.”
“We want to write and sing music that speaks to somebody’s spirit,” says oldest son, Dewitt IV. “It’s really powerful whenever you hear a song or an artist and the anointing speaks to you. We want to write music that does that for people.”
To capture their unique, organic process in the studio, the group tapped legendary, Nashville-based producer Keith Thomas (BeBe & CeCe Winans, Whitney Houston, Amy Grant). “Keith was really easy to work with and he interpreted our music very well,” says Dominique, “The fact that we all have ideas can make it challenging, but working with him was really easy, really fun.”
For Dominique, the lead voice on the group’s signature song “He Wants It All,” one studio moment was particularly memorable. “The day we were to record the vocals for “Every Moment” was just a hard moment for me,” she shares. “I was weak and tired, so I went into the studio and worshipped.” The authenticity of that experience is perfectly captured in the recording, from the airy opening line through the powerful, swelling bridge, to the deeply personal, final flourish.
Perhaps more than any song in this collection, “Every Moment” is a tribute to the sound and spirit of forever JONES. The lyrics were born of a difficult season in Dewitt III’s life. “I had a dear pastor friend who died from cancer,” he reflects. “During his decline I woke up with the words to that song on my heart, and I texted him those lyrics. Everyone worked on it and finished it up.”
That process of real life becoming worship, transforming into art is at the core of the group’s ministry.
D’Jeniele’, the oldest sibling, sings lead on the playfully percussive, acoustic track “I See You”. The deceptively simple sentiment in the lyrics came from a moment of insight as Kim was walking one day. “I took a walk around the river and I was just wondering does anyone see and does anyone care,” she says. “I recalled Luke 12:7 where the bible says that every hair on our head has a number.”
Out of that brief experience came a chorus written from the perspective of God the Father speaking to His precious child: “I see you in all that you do/You’re not just a name in the crowd/I know your name/In touch with your smile/I’ve been watching you for a while.”
Dominique and D’Jeniele’ join voices on the powerful “Hold Me Still”. Dominique shares her inspiration for penning the piece: “That idea started years ago when I was in high school and just thinking about that verse ‘Be still and know that I am God.” I saw a picture in my head of a girl being held in this big hand. Waves were crashing over her, but this hand was holding her still. That was the picture, and we just started to write the lyrics.”
While all eleven songs on the album reflect the eclectic style that has come to define forever JONES, the message of the song “Musical Revival” points most directly to their current vision. The track is edgy with electronic percussion, auto-tuned vocals, and buzzy bass, while the lyrics pay tribute to the power of music. The chorus chants a challenge to harness that power in a positive way: “Start a musical revival/ A musical movement/ A musical experience tonight, tonight, tonight.”
For oldest daughter D’Jeniele’, the sentiment of the title cut came from a simple question she posed to her father one day: “What would it be like if music could talk? From there I got the idea for the album title as well as the lyrics to that song.”
By personifying “lyrics” and “rhythm” in the verses of the song, forever JONES gives voice to their passion as artists and songwriters. “Though a song on paper may not weigh anything, when you hear it, it'll hit you like a ten-ton truck,” D’Jeniele’ explains. “Words are powerful, and music is powerful, so our challenge to the music world is to write with a purpose. Use your music to influence this world. Use your music to start a MUSICAL REVIVAL!”
Get Ready
forever JONES Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heaven, im overjoyed and over whelemed
Dadadam dadadam
See the sound i hear is more
Than merely human praise
I know it shakes the gates of hell
Majestic are Lord
Streams of glory
Flowing from your throne
Always and forever he reigns
Holy, holy, holy
A place where sadness is forbidden
And there are only tears of joy
And all rocky roads are smoothed away
Dadada doo ooo
Celestial beings are rejoicing
Singing freedom songs
Along with those who′ve been redeemed
I hear angels singing
Majestic are Lord
Streams of glory
Flowing from your throne
Always and forever he reigns
Holy, holy, holy
Well, Oh i can see it now
The joy and the laughter
The thought of your presence
And the here ever after
Oh i said that i can see it now
Smiling faces everywhere
Singing Holy, Holy, Holy
Angels singing
Majestic are Lord
Streams of glory
Flowing from your throne
Always and forever he reigns
Holy, holy, holy
Oh, my god is able, able, able
Able, able, able
You are righteous, righteous, righteous
You are Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
"Get Ready" by forever JONES is a joyful and uplifting song that celebrates the anticipation of being in heaven. The lyrics express the overwhelming excitement and joy that the singer feels when thinking about heaven. The repetition of the phrase "dadadam dadadam" adds to the exuberant and energetic nature of the song.
The lyrics suggest that the praise and worship in heaven go beyond human comprehension. The sound the singer hears is not just human praise but something much greater. It is a sound that shakes the gates of hell, symbolizing the power and impact of praise in defeating evil. The mention of angels singing and majestic Lord highlights the divine nature of the praise in heaven.
The song paints a picture of heaven as a place where sadness is forbidden, and tears of joy are the only emotion allowed. It is depicted as a place where all difficulties and challenges are smoothed away, symbolizing the eternal peace and happiness that await believers. The lyrics also mention celestial beings rejoicing and singing freedom songs, along with those who have been redeemed. This reinforces the idea that heaven is a place of celebration and unity, where all beings rejoice in the presence of God.
Overall, "Get Ready" captures the anticipation, joy, and ultimate praise that believers feel when imagining heaven. It encourages listeners to prepare themselves for the eternal joy and beauty that awaits them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooo every time i think about it
Whenever I reflect on it
Heaven, im overjoyed and over whelemed
I am filled with overwhelming joy in the presence of Heaven
Dadadam dadadam
The indescribable feeling resonates within me
See the sound i hear is more
The sound I perceive is beyond
Than merely human praise
Just ordinary praise by humans
I know it shakes the gates of hell
I am aware that it rattles the gates of hell
I hear angels singing
I listen to angelic voices
Majestic are Lord
Our Lord is awe-inspiring
Streams of glory
Splendid manifestations
Flowing from your throne
Emanating from your royal seat
Always and forever he reigns
He rules eternally
Holy, holy, holy
Completely pure, completely pure, completely pure
A place where sadness is forbidden
A realm where sorrow is prohibited
And there are only tears of joy
And tears of happiness is all that exist
And all rocky roads are smoothed away
And all challenging paths become effortless
Dadada doo ooo
A joyful expression of music and delight
Celestial beings are rejoicing
Heavenly creatures are delighting
Singing freedom songs
Performing liberation hymns
Along with those who′ve been redeemed
Accompanied by the ones who have been saved
Well, Oh i can see it now
Well, oh I can envision it at this moment
The joy and the laughter
The ecstasy and the merriment
The thought of your presence
The contemplation of your existence
And the here ever after
And the eternal future
Oh i said that i can see it now
Oh, I affirm that I can perceive it presently
Smiling faces everywhere
Cheerful countenances all around
Singing Holy, Holy, Holy
Chanting sacred, sacred, sacred
Oh, my god is able, able, able
Oh, my God is capable, capable, capable
Able, able, able
Capable, capable, capable
You are righteous, righteous, righteous
You are morally upright, morally upright, morally upright
You are Holy, Holy, Holy
You are completely pure, completely pure, completely pure
Holy, Holy, Holy
Completely pure, completely pure, completely pure
Writer(s): William Robinson Jr.
Contributed by Ethan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
chris coleman
Get Ready!! Tthey aint ready!! This whole album is official!! They are like a gospel version of the Jacksons!!
Jabjam07
Great music and band! Wonderful!
chayil1977
Amen this is my season and my time 4 breakthrough I love it been through the tears and fiery trials .its a new day
Arianne73
This is cool. Has that late 70's feel.
Robert Heiney Life, Health & Disability
Wow - Forever Jones just gets better and better! One of my favorite families!
Que P
Dominique voice!! She's blessed.
LaDonna Victor
Discovered this group last night on their Wal-Mart Christmas special. My spirit was blessed.
Evelyn Marie
Ok, it's official. I'm buying this album TODAY.
Trevel Golden
i love this! man i gotta get that cd!
Carmelita Cornelius
i love this, if the world can groove, why cant we groove for Jesus, halelujah!