Tune Tuesday – You Raise Me Up

I thought I’d do something a bit different today. Rather than scroll through my iPod or my hard drive to see what song I felt like writing about, I thought I would check out the celebrity birthdays to see if any artist jumped out at me. One did. Josh Groban turns 43 today and while I like his voice a lot, I may not have ever chosen to write about him.

I have a few of his albums and there are some really fantastic songs that he sings, but one has always stood out to me – You Raise Me Up. The song was originally done by the Norwegian band Secret Garden in 2001. It has been recorded by many others, but Groban released his version in 2004.

David Foster produced the song and Josh’s version went to number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart and held that spot for 6 weeks. In 2005, the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He performed the song at Super Bowl 38 in honor of the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster.

The song itself has been inspiring to millions of people with its message of overcoming, strength, and hope. Personally, I can see this as a Christian song. I know that I lean on God when I am down, when I am struggling, when I am stressed and in rough times. I have always found that in Him I find comfort and strength. At the same time, I can see where folks would apply it to a loved one, a parent, or a partner. However you look it it, Josh’s vocal and the arrangement are simply beautiful.

You Raise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up to more than I can be.