Pushing Back the Dark

Sparrow (Capitol) recording artist Josh Wilson has released a song I co-wrote to Christian radio this week. “Pushing Back the Dark” has had a long and winding path onto your radio. The first record I have of the title in a notebook of song ideas is from 5 years ago. I wrote a chorus around the title and it never came to life. Then in 2009 Josh and I tried to write the idea with a brilliant lyricist named Sue Smith. We were all about to travel to India together and the friendship we built that day had way more value than the verse and chorus we wrote. In 2010 I tried to start the song again with worship leader, Adam Wheatley. It still didn’t feel quite right and we gave up after another stab at a verse and chorus. In 2012 as the start of Josh Wilson’s new album loomed, he and I re-approached the title one last time and we were finally convinced we had nailed the big idea. The lyric was a narrative about several world changing believers Josh had met along the road with a chorus that pleaded “whatever you do just don’t lose heart. Keep on pushing back the dark.”

At the end of that writing session I left Josh’s studio and stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things on the way home. With a car load of melting groceries in the back I got a text from Josh: “Matthew West is here. He has an idea. Can you be back here in 15 minutes?” I laughed and dropped the groceries at the house and darted back to Josh’s place. Josh had played Matthew the song to give him an idea of the direction the album was taking and immediately Matthew’s brain began to light up with ideas. Matthew West is a brilliant songwriter with a keen sense of how to make big ideas accessible to a wide audience. It was a no-brainer to have him help “Pushing Back the Dark” finally find it’s legs. We re-wrote the verses and bridge with Matthew that evening.

The song has indeed found its proverbial legs and is at your local Christian radio station right now as the latest single from Josh Wilson’s new album, “Carry Me.” Give them a call and let them know you want to hear “Pushing Back the Dark.” You can WATCH A VIDEO OF JOSH, MATTHEW AND I PLAYING THE SONG HERE. And BUY YOURSELF A COPY OF THIS GREAT ALBUM BY CLICKING HERE.

One million reasons why, you shouldn’t even try
After all you’re just one heart, a single candle in the dark
And all these shadows here, they’re playing on your fears
That you don’t have what it takes, who are you to make a change
But oh, Don’t under estimate the God you follow

Whatever you do, just don’t look back
Somebody needs the light you have
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart
Keep on pushing back the dark

The City on a Hill, it should be shining still
Every sinner saved by grace has a purpose and a place
In the bigger plan, we might not understand
But if we just keep walking on, we’re gonna see the kingdom come

Whatever you do, just don’t look back
Somebody needs the light you have
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart
Keep on pushing back the dark

Let your light so shine
Don’t underestimate the God you follow
He is the light that’s burns inside your soul
So keep on shining till the whole world knows

Whatever you do, just don’t look back
Somebody needs the light you have
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart
Keep on pushing back the dark

When you feel like you’re too small
To do any good at all
Like a sunrise through the window
Like a symphony crescendo
We are waking up again
We are rising from the dead
We are shining like the stars
We are pushing back the dark

Words and music by Josh Wilson, James Tealy and Matthew West. (c)2013 Meaux Hits Music (admin by EMI CMG), Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing, External Combustion Music, Songs for Delaney / ASCAP and Centricity Songs / BMI.