Tuesday, January 7, 2014

music monday // story behind the song

for my first ever post on a music monday i'm going with a 'story behind the song'.
i personally love hearing the stories behind songs, i love knowing the thought process of the writing and the deeper meaning behind the lyrics.  i figured i can't be the only one!

beauty for ashes is the song i've chosen to use as an introduction to this new feature.
it's the title track to the album, beauty for ashes, and was released in 1996. it was the first album we (metro one) recorded/released in partnership with myrrh records.  in addition to having a 2 year old at the time (solomon), i was pregnant for the entire recording process with isabella.  actually, no... i did have to take a break from recording to actually give birth to her!  and we had to put the finishing touches on the album after she was born! including a trip to northern california where the very special mr. ron kenoly generously contributed his vocal talents to this song.

when we first began work on this project, i became completely consumed with the passage of scripture the song is taken from.  i had chosen the title and recorded the majority of the album before i had written the song.  i'm not sure what i was waiting for, it just took that long for the truth of it to settle in my heart i guess.

and settle it has. i come back to this passage often, for as all scripture does, it holds true.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Crystal!!! Thank you for sharing this video. Beauty for Ashes is one of my favorite records. I still find mysef singing the songs. I was a little girl when I'd sing it in church.

It's so awesome to hear the heart behind the song. Have you ever thought about writing a book about your heart behind your favorite songs you've recorded?

Many blessings to you, sweet sister in Christ!

Warmly,
Kennisha

Babs Coppedge said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Babs Coppedge said...

Crystal,

First, love the new rendition of the song playing in the background during the second half of this video. :)

Second, this is a powerful venue of communication. Being able to watch you and listen, like I was sitting across the table from you at a coffee shop, is like having you personally share your heart, one-on-one.

As you leaned in and said, "He will bring beauty from your ashes", I so felt the presence of God minister to the despair of some ashes in my life, currently. I know this passage of scripture, but I love how God can bring fresh revelation and impartation of this promise when we hear it again. His Word is never void...

Thank you for taking time to share this way with us. Will so be looking forward to more...

Continued blessing and favor and anointing as you pursue the writing and recording of the next record. I pray God's creative inspiration will abound in your home and that the enemy will have no place in speaking defeat or discouragement to anything you put your hands to.

May the melodies and lyrics spring from your heart like a fountain!

Until next time...

Unknown said...

Hello Crystal!

The very first album I ever had of yours was "Beauty For Ashes", and back then I was about 12 years old. Now, I'm just months away from turning 30 and I am still enjoying the words that you have put to music all of these years. I love hearing your heart behind the songs that I have listened to so many times in my life. Thank you for opening up your heart regarding your own experiences. I'm looking forward to hearing more and more from you!