from THIS IS WHO I AM
Written by David Foster, Mariah Carey & Diane Warren
Jody McBrayer was one of the founders and driving forces of the popular Contemporary Christian group Avalon. Since its 1996 debut, Avalon scored a string of gold-certified records, won several Dove Awards and gained three Grammy nominations. McBrayer stayed with the group until 2007 when he was forced to leave for some serious health issues. Thankfully, McBrayer solved his problems and just recently rejoined the group.
In 2002, McBrayer released his first solo cd titled This Is Who I Am. Musically, it leaned toward a trendy pop sound with dance and R&B overtones. Most of the album’s lyrics kept Avalon’s trademark inspirational feel. The bulk of the material was co-written by McBrayer with one notable exception; a very good cover of Mariah Carey’s “There For Me.”
This beautiful ballad was co-written by the superstar with David Foster and Diane Warren. Originally recorded by Ms. Carey’s for her 1999 Rainbow cd, “There For Me” didn’t make the record’s final cut. It was resurrected a couple of years later as the b-side of Ms. Carey’s single, the “Never Too Far/Hero” medley. McBrayer’s version of the song was quite enjoyable, especially the flavor given by the singer’s androgynous voice that perfectly fits the song’s catchy melody. “There For Me” had huge potential. It appeared like one of those hit singles that strangely never happened. Look for the past review of Carey’s “There For Me” that was produced and arranged by the Hitman to compare this cover with Ms. Carey’s original.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Jody-McBrayer-There-For-Me-Audio.mp3|titles=There For Me|artists=Jody McBrayer]
- Vocals: Jody McBrayer
- Programming: Tedd Tjornhom
- Produced by Tedd Tjornhom
Lyrics
I would never have known
The way it feels to love without the love you showered down upon me
Warm, warm as the sun
Melting away the rain giving me strengh to face another morning
So many times I felt afraid and turn to you to find my way
I reach inside to find you there
You were with me everywhere
All
(I could search for all my life to find)
It would take all
(Someone to be there till the end of time)
All of my life to find
(Everywhere I look I’ll never find)
Someone more there for me
There for me
And I’m…
(when I feel like I am all alone)
Never Alone
(You are closer than I’ve ever known)
’cause in my heart I know
(You’re always with me in my heart I know)
Your always there for me, there for me
I, I won’t let go
Of precious memories
They are the light of hope that burns inside me
And every time I lose my way
You shine for me and I’m okay
You lift me way beyond it all
And You never let me fall
All
(I could search for all my life to find)
It would take all
(Someone to be there till the end of time)
All of my life to find
(Everywhere I look I’ll never find)
Someone more there for me
There for me
And I’m…
(when I feel like I am all alone)
Never Alone
(You are closer than I’ve ever known)
’cause in my heart I know
(You’re always with me in my heart I know)
Your always there for me, there for me
You’ll always catch me when I fall
All, it would take all
All of my life to find
Someone more there for me, there for me
And I’m never alone
‘Cause in my heart I know
You’re always there for me, there for me, I know
All
(I could search for all my life to find)
It would take all
(Someone to be there till the end of time)
All of my life to find
(Everywhere I look I’ll never find)
Someone more there for me
There for me
And I’m…
(when I feel like I am all alone)
Never Alone
(You are closer than I’ve ever known)
’cause in my heart I know
(You’re always with me in my heart I know)
Your always there for me, there for me I know
Your always there
With me everywhere
And if I lose my way
I am never alone