In 1999 everything began to happen for the band; In June with the help of Neil Costello yFriday recorded and released the Rainmaker album containing all of their own material. Later on in August yFriday were approached by Kingsway to see if they would like to join with them on a 3 year recording contract. Just a month later the band agreed to the contract and signed up on their Survivor label. Kingsway distributed the Rainmaker album throughout the UK and the world where it received a good welcome and very good reviews from magazines such as the Worship Together magazine. In November of 1999 yFriday confirmed that they had been booked to play at Spring Harvest, Easter People, Cross Rhythms Festival, Celebration 2000 and Worship Together.
Throughout 2000 yFriday played their songs at many venues and even managed to do some TV interviews. The following year (2001) yFriday released their second album Open which included tracks such as Creator, Rain and Head over Heels which they released as an EP.
While working on a third album they released the EP "Songs of Heaven" containing 6 tracks they felt didn't fit on their previous 2 albums or the upcoming LP.
The Revolution album, released in 2003, saw yFriday album that was very raw and made you feel that yFriday were actually playing in your room! The album was accompanied by a tour across the UK, aptly named the Revolution tour. The music showing the need to start a revolution in Jesus' name to change the world!
During April 2006 the band's fouth album was released; Universal. Produced and mixed by Nathan Dantzler the new album contained various tracks such as Universal and Gravity and also Shadow of the Cross which had appeared as a limited download from the band's website in late 2005. Through out 2006 the band will be touring across the country including their Universal Tour.
In 2007 the band recorded a live CD and DVD at the Riverside Centre in Derby, 'The Universal Broadcast' was released in 2008 containing songs from each album also the previously unrecorded track 'How Can We Dance?'. Through out 2008 the band has toured across the country and had a busy summer doing many festivals including Greenbelt.
Part of their plans for 2009 were to release a second worship EP to follow on after Songs of Heaven. Ken Riley, lead singer, collaborated with Tim Hughes to write one of the tracks 'Alive'.
The band performed a final sold out concert in Newcastle City Hall on October 31st 2010, and they all left to pursue other Christian interests.
More information about the band can be found on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YFriday
Universal
yfriday Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You took away the sin of the world
Death disarmed, You saved us
God of love, Your gift undeserved
You are our God, our awesome God
You are our God, almighty God
Our God eternal
Longing to live every heart
So universal!
Through the cross of Jesus
You reconciled the whole of the world [to Yourself]
Faith restored the faithless
Grace prepared the way to return
You are our God, our awesome God
You are our God, almighty God
The first, the last, the Living One
Our God eternal
Longing to live every heart
So universal!
Everyone, You died for everyone
Give life to anyone, who trusts in You
Everyone You died for everyone
Give life to anyone, who trusts in You!
The first, the last the living One
Our God eternal
Longing to live in every heart
So universal!
Who was and is and is to come
Our God eternal
Longing to live in every heart
So universal!
The lyrics of "Universal" by YFriday speak of the immense love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood took away the sin of the world and disarmed death. The song expresses how this act of love saved humanity and how God's grace extended to everyone, regardless of their faith. The chorus reiterates that God is almighty and eternal, the first and last, constantly longing to live in every heart, hence the title of the song, Universal.
The verse emphasizes the role of the cross in reconciling everyone back to God, restoring faith to the faithless, and preparing a way for those who wish to return to Him. The bridge emphasizes the universality of God's love, how Jesus died for everyone and is willing to give life to anyone who trusts in Him.
Overall, "Universal" is a song that celebrates the universal love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the inclusiveness of this love and the way it continues to touch the hearts of humanity. It is a reminder of the hope and redemption that is available to all who seek it.
Line by Line Meaning
By the blood of Jesus
Through Jesus' sacrifice, our sins have been forgiven
You took away the sin of the world
All of humanity's sins have been forgiven through Jesus
Death disarmed, You saved us
Jesus defeated death and saved us from eternal damnation
God of love, Your gift undeserved
God has showered us with love in the form of forgiveness, even though we don't deserve it
You are our God, our awesome God
God is our deity and we worship and respect Him greatly
You are our God, almighty God
God is all-powerful and unparalleled
The first, the last, the Living One
God is eternal and always present
Our God eternal
God is everlasting
Longing to live every heart
God desires to live in the hearts of all people
So universal!
This message of love and forgiveness is for everyone, all over the world
Through the cross of Jesus
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross reconciled humans to God
You reconciled the whole of the world [to Yourself]
Jesus' death and resurrection have brought all of humanity back to God
Faith restored the faithless
Faith in Jesus can restore the faith of anyone, even those who had lost it
Grace prepared the way to return
God's grace paved the way for humanity to return to Him through Jesus
Everyone, You died for everyone
Jesus' sacrifice was for everyone, regardless of race, gender or status
Give life to anyone, who trusts in You
Those who have faith in Jesus can have eternal life through Him
Who was and is and is to come
God has always existed and will always exist
Contributed by Reagan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.