The Story Behind the Song

The Story Behind the Song: “Here I Am”

Happy New Year! I truly feel this is going to be a great year in Southern Gospel music. While I look forward to all of the upcoming chart topping singles that we'll be introduced to in 2012, I still enjoy hearing the back stories on the older songs from years past. This month we are hearing about a song written several years ago & later recorded by The Hoppers. The message in this song continues to inspire & find a new meaning for different folks as some of the testimonies in this article will reveal. As a songwriter, this is definately something I can appreciate & something that I strive for with any song I pen. A song that continues to reach generation after generation. I hope you will enjoy the article as much as I enjoyed my conversation with The Bradys very own, Sylvia Green.

"Here I Am" - Sylvia Green

Martha: When was "Here I Am" written?

Sylvia Green: It was written sometime around 1986 or 1987.

Martha: Where did the idea for it come from?

Sylvia Green: Honestly I don't remember...it was one of those days when I was just sitting around at the piano & I started with a tune & then just added a verse & chorus. I actually didn't even have the "hook" for the song until the end of the first verse & that's when it started to come together.

Martha: How long did you work it?

Sylvia Green: Actually I didn't finish it that day...it was one of those things where I began the song & then finished it about 3 months later...I tend to do that alot...it's rare for me to complete a song in one sitting...although I have done it, it is rare.

Martha: Who was the most memorable artist to record the song?

Sylvia Green: Well...The Hoppers recorded it after it was pitched to them by a DJ friend of mine. I was a bit discouraged about not being able to get any of my material recorded & he told me that God wasn't through with me. He suggested letting him try to pitch some of my songs to a few artists that he knew & I agreed. He attended the wedding of Kim & Dean Hopper & afterwards was invited to Claude & Connie's house for some sandwiches...I think he said ham & cheese (laughing)...he gave Connie a tape that included "Here I Am" & told her that she knew that he wouldn't normally do something like that but that he felt I was a great writer & they should definately take a listen to the song. Later, when The Hoppers were recording their first project with Kim, they were looking for a song that would showcase Kim a bit & Connie remembered the cassette in her drawer. They pulled out the cassette, listened to the song, liked it & recorded it...the rest is history.

Martha: It did well for them then?

Sylvia Green: Yes, the song was recorded by them in 89', I believe & was number one for four consecutive months. It was later voted "Song Of The Year" at the National Quartet Convention.

Martha: Are there any funny stories or memorable happenings surrounding the song?

Sylvia Green: Yes, I had a young lady come up to me once after a concert where we (The Bradys) performed it. She was carrying a baby on her hip & started telling me how it was the first song she ever sang in church & how it was her favorite when she was a little girl...I turned to Keith & said..."Now I feel old." (laughing) We were also at an all night singing once with The Hoppers & their band was on stage while I was at the back at the product table with Connie...they started doing a "Hip Hop" version of the song that the band had recorded. They went all out on it! They had the whole Hip Hop sound. (laughing) Connie said "I hope you're not offended." I wasn't...I said, "Well, it's certainly different!"

Martha: How many artists have recorded it?

Sylvia Green: Oh I would say literally hundreds...I know of several well known groups who have even recorded it on "Hits" albums...Mike Speck did a musical arrangement of the song once that I am particularly proud of.

Martha: Since it was recorded by The Hoppers, I'm sure the song has had national distribution, correct?

Sylvia Green: Yes

Martha: Has it been recorded anywhere worldwide to your knowledge?

Sylvia Green: Oh yes...to my knowledge it has been several times. I would have to pull out my older reports to tell you exactly where, but yes it has been.

Martha: Do you know of any memorable instances in a concert setting involving the song?

Sylvia Green: Well, the one that comes to mind was when we (The Bradys) were asked to perform the song at a church. After service some folks told us that it was very special to them & explained why. Apparently there was an elderly Grandpa figure that attended the church & no one really knew the condition of his soul. He always came to service in a suit, but was somewhat cold towards most folks & kept to himself. No one really ever asked him if he was right with the Lord. One particular time some of the church folks decided to go see The Hoppers at a concert in town. They invited this gentleman to go & when The Hoppers performed the song at the end of the second verse, this gentleman jumped up & started running the aisles praising the Lord & crying that he was that one little lost lamb. They were all so overjoyed that at last they knew all was well with his soul. It makes me almost cry everytime I tell that story.

Martha: You've got me crying now... (both laughing) Well, thank you Sylvia for taking the time to share the story of this great song with me!

Sylvia Green: You are very welcome & thank you for thinking of me!

Later, in a message on Facebook, I received this additional story on the song from Sylvia...

Sylvia: I'd like to share this with you about something that just recently happened that tells of the continuing testimonies connected within the song even after over 20 years!

This past week a DJ contacted me to tell me that he had received a phone call from a young lady listener who wanted to hear "Here I Am". She asked the DJ if she could take a moment to tell him her testimony connected with the song. She said that years ago, when she was a young girl going to church with her parents, she heard this song and it just somehow stuck out to her! Through the years, she just couldn't get away from it! Now, years later as an adult, God just kept dealing with her, and the words to that song, "Here I Am" kept going over and over in her mind, causing her to realize SHE was the lost sheep and she was out of the fold...and she wanted to come home to Jesus!!!!! She said she was giving her life to Jesus and she wanted to hear the song one more time that had kept reminding her through all those years that she was the lost sheep...until she gave her heart to the Lord!!!