Higher Ground {behind the music}
* Don’t forget that at the bottom of the post, I’ll post the preview of this song!
While living at home with my mom during her cancer treatment, I found that my favorite way to relax was to spend several hours each night listening intently to music I wasn’t familiar with. One of the artists I spent much time with was Stevie Wonder. Although I’d always loved his music, I didn’t know his early library as well as I wanted to. As I studied the lyrics to “Higher Ground,” it became one of my favorite songs. To me, the song paints a picture of a broken world where each of us has a chance to be redeemed again and again-if we’ll only ask. The idea for a slower, darker-sounding version emerged, and I soon began working it out on the piano. I’m not sure I could ever do justice to a Stevie song, but it moves me to try.
Words and music by Stevie Wonder
People, keep on learnin,
Soldiers, keep on warin,
World, keep on turnin,
‘cause it won’t be too long.
Powers, keep on lyin,
While your people keep on dyin,
World, keep on turnin
‘cause it won’t be too long.
I’m so glad that He let me try it again-
‘cause the last time around I lived a whole world of sin;
I’m so glad that I know more than I knew then,
Gonna keep on tryin
Till I reach the highest ground.
Teachers, keep on teachin;
Preachers, keep on preachin;
World, keep on turnin
‘cause it won’t be too long.
Lovers, keep on lovin
Believers, keep on believing,
Sleepers, better stop your sleepin,
‘cause it won’t be too long.
No it won’t be too long.
Don’t you let nobody bring you down;
‘cause God’s the only friend you got around
Till you reach that Highest Ground.
{Links}
1. Preview: Higher Ground_Promo!
2. Pre-order the full-length album from Family Christian here.
As an added bonus, I’ll autograph it for you:) Scheduled to ship on or right before September 13.
Exciting new “tour” in the works…
Dear Friends,
As I celebrate the upcoming release of my brand new cd, Get In…I’m Driving, I’m excited to tell you about a very unique tour we’re preparing for…a tour where we visit people’s homes instead of typical concert venues. It’s been five years since I released a cd on a record label, and much has happened between then and now. I have many stories to tell, and of course, lots of new songs to share. As I’ve been preparing for the release of this new project, I’ve received lots of questions from friends and fans. They’ve wondered where I’ve been, what I’ve been doing, and how I came up with such a goofy title for my new cd. I can, of course, answer these questions at my regular concerts, but I thought it would be much more fun to share the stories and the heart and vision behind the new cd with one small group of folks at a time—in the comfort of someone’s living room.
We’re about to announce our first leg of the house concert tour, and we’re stoked about this new adventure! If you’d like to learn more about what goes into hosting a house concert, please email us at AllThingsGinny@gmail.com. Who knows. Maybe we’ll be partying in your living room or backyard very soon!
Love and peace, Ginny
Get In, I’m Driving {behind the music}
* Don’t forget that at the bottom of the post, I’ll post the preview of “Get In, I’m Driving”
Since I was a teenager, I’ve delighted in making jokes about driving…jokes that typically amuse strangers and exhaust my friends. Believe it or not, I’ve actually been behind the wheel several times, but only with strict supervision and in empty parking lots. And after a few experiences behind the wheel, I understand why they don’t allow me to have a license.
Although I’ll never be a successful driver in the literal sense, I’ve just finished my first experience driving a CD project, incorporating my favorite musical styles in a diverse array of songs. The journey has been an adventurous one to navigate. I’ve learned that driving can be both rewarding and challenging, but nothing compares to the sense of accomplishment and excitement that is found at the end of the road.
I joke about driving a car and try my hand at “driving” my music, but there is no question who is driving my life. No matter how much I fight for the wheel, He continues to show me that my journey is not for me to drive—instead I look to Him to lead and hang on for the ride.
*Words and music by Ginny Owens
I use to be afraid I’d never figure out
Who I was meant to be; what I should be about;
Seemed everyone else had a secret I didn’t know;
Guess you could say I was the square peg in a round hole-
But as the time has passed I’ve come to understand,
God made them who they are
And He made me who I am-
Chorus:
So now I march to the beat of my own drum
Sing out the words to my own song,
Give thanks to the One who gives me life;
Every day is like a new adventure,
I can almost hear Him whisper,
“If you wanna take the ride of your life then
C’mon, get in, I’m drivin.”
I often wonder what the future has in store;
Find myself questioning
Why the hard road? What’s it all for?
So I take my chance and take hold of the wheel;
Gonna head for the fast lane
Cuttin corners, see how that feels;
Doesn’t take too long for me to get the clue,
Some things I was made for
And some things I just can’t do-
Are you ready for the ride of your life,
Here we go; here we go;
Are you ready for the ride of your life,
Here we go; here we go:
{Link Love}
1. Preview Get In I’m Driving only here! Get In I’m Driving_Promo
2. Pre-order the full-length album from Family Christian
As an added bonus, I’ll autograph it for you:) Scheduled to ship on or right before September 13.
Before You Fly {Behind the Music}
*Hi friends! This is the 1st of many blogs to come that will give you insight into the background of the songs on the new record “Get in, I’m Driving”. 1st up, my new single Before You Fly. Don’t forget that at the bottom of the post, I’ll post the full length song for you to listen!
I remember the day I began writing this song. I was walking along the beach of the Gulf Coast soon after Hurricane Katrina left its indelible mark of disaster, and reflecting on how difficult tragedy is to comprehend. The first lines of the song came to me: “The world is wide/You can’t crawl under it/you can’t climb over it/Baby, I’ve tried…” My progress on the lyric ended there, as finding words of comfort and encouragement to share with those who have experienced extreme loss is nearly impossible. In the same season, I was grappling with my own inner hurricane. I often wondered if I’d actually make it through the tumultuous time, and if I did, would I have words of hope to offer on the other side? The answers didn’t come quickly…the song took five years to finish because there were more disasters—both internal and external—that had to be faced before I had any words of hope to offer.
As time passes, I understand that wisdom comes only from placing one foot in front of the other, moment after moment, day after day, seeking the face of God. I fall; I fly; and as God’s truth grows bigger in my life, the highs and lows of the journey take on deeper meaning. Life is full of joys and tragedies, and holding on tightly to the hand of our Heavenly Father is the only way to get through. If any wisdom came from my hurricane, this was it.
The world is wide,
You can’t crawl under it, you can’t climb over it,
Baby, I’ve tried.
And the water’s deep;
Better fight the current now,
Or you’ll be carried out
By the tide.
When you wash up on the shore,
Wondering what this journey’s for-
Spread your wings in the sun,
Don’t give up, there’s more to come.
You will find when you try,
You always fall before you fly.
Talk is cheap,
Work’s the currency, sweat’s the equity,
Take that to the bank.
It’s up to you to make some mystery
Out of this history
So fill in the blank.
When you’re broke and overspent
Wondering where your fortune went—
Bridge:
The world is wide, the water’s deep;
It’s up to you, ‘cause talk is cheap;
The universe is yours to climb
If you take one step at a time—
Words and music by Ginny Owens/Michael Puryear/Dwight Liles
{Links you might need}
- 24 HOURS ONLY–Listen to the full length song until Tuesday, August 2! *Sorry, time is up. Check back next week for the next song preview:)
- Pre-order the full-length album from Family Christian here. As an added bonus, I’ll autograph it for you:)
- Preview & Purchase the single, Before You Fly. Itunes or Amazon.
Love,
Ginny
Journal Post for Before you Fly – New Single Release
“Before You Fly”
I remember the day I began writing this song. I was walking along the beach of the Gulf Coast soon after Hurricane Katrina left its indelible mark of disaster, and reflecting on how difficult tragedy is to comprehend. The first lines of the song came to me:
“”The world is wide/You can’t climb over it/you can’t crawl under it/Baby, I’ve tried…”
My progress on the lyric ended there, as finding words of comfort and encouragement to share with those who have experienced extreme loss is nearly impossible.
In the same season, I was grappling with my own inner hurricane. I often wondered if I’d actually make it through the tumultuous time, and if I did, would I have words of hope to offer on the other side?
The answers didn’t come quickly…the song took five years to finish, because there were more disasters—both internal and external—that had to be faced before I had any words of hope to offer.
As time passes, I understand that wisdom comes only from placing one foot in front of the other, moment after moment, day after day, seeking the face of God. I fall; I fly; and as God’s truth grows bigger in my life, the highs and lows of the journey take on deeper meaning. Life is full of joys and tragedies, and holding on tightly to the hand of our Heavenly Father is the only way to get through. If any wisdom came from my hurricane, this was it.