Listen

Album: Close (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was produced by R. Kelly. During the run up to the release of Close, Kelly was in the headlines regarding allegations that he was running a "sex cult," leaving Sapp with a decision whether or not to keep the song on the album. The gospel star told ABC Radio:

    "I don't know if the allegations are true or not true. My record company, my attorneys, we talked about pulling the song off the record. I literally prayed about it and I said, 'Naw. We're not gonna pull the song off the record because the song's message is what's most important.'"

    He continued: "The first set of lyrics in the song is, 'You tried your way. It didn't work. You put Him second. And put you first.' And I started listening to the song and I said, 'You know what? God tries to speak to us through our circumstances and through our situations if we just pay attention and listen.' And I've always been a strong believer, based upon my study of scripture, that the message is always bigger than the messenger."

    Sapp added, "It would be hypocritical of me to remove a song that had such a very strong message. Because the individual that wrote it is flawed. I didn't do anything. I'm not being accused of anything. Truth or not truth, it is not my position to condemn. It's my position to pray for. So, that's why I left the song on the record."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.