Life

"Life is the adrenaline pumping rock song that you came to the show to hear. It has all the elements of raw guitar and heart pounding drums, but somwhere in there is the message of the band. To make a decision for Christ is to truly start living. Anything before that is a shell of an existence."

- Stephen Stroope

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The quintessential Soulstrum song. Although personally Holiday is my favorite, musically this is their best song in my opinion. It gets me pumped up every time I hear it, and I doubt it won't do the same for you as well.

Unchanged

"Unchanged is a favorite of mine. It's relatable to both non-Christian and Christian alike. All of us at some point in our lives have seen stubbornness or lived in stubbornness to God. For the Christian, the song is a reminder that God is not a genie we give a wish list to, and for the non-Christian, it is an eye opener to the fact that being a Christian is not about what God can do for us. Jesus already did what was necessary, the rest is up to you."

- Stephen Stroope

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Amen to that.

My Everything

"My Everything is quite simply a song that was written for my wife. I have written many songs for her in the past six years, but this one in particular is a confidence builder. many times it is necessary to do more than just act out affection. In a marriage, to say what one means to the other is critical to the confidence of that person that you care for them the way they hope. Since my wife and I are one under God, to say that she is my everything here on earth is to say that if she were not part of my equation, I would be a shell of a man or half of a whole. It is a jam to play and my wife loves it."

- Stephen Stroope

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I share this sentiment with @tabbytub.

Jesus in My Pocket

Stay With Me

Hey!
I start each day with good intentions
and pray for help along the way
Sometime it only takes a mention
of the Word to make me straight

But you lay lovin on so heavy even when i fail to pray
and you lay grace on so steady Lord i Know I can make it through this day

Now stay with me
Won't you stay with me
Lord please stay with me
Won't you stay with me, yea

Now I can sing a song with passion
and I can play a mean guitar
but melody is not what you are askin for
I gotta meet you where you are

Now stay with me
Won't you stay with me
Lord please stay with me
Won't you stay with me

Stay with me
Won't you stay with me
Lord please stay with me
Won't you stay Now
stay with me
won't you stay with me
Lord please stay with me
Won't you stay

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I love the honesty of Soulstrum's music. I feel it's honest because I know this feeling that I'm trying to do well with walking in God's Will, but at the same time it's a difficult walk. I too pray Lord "please stay with me"!

Wreck

"Of course, playing to a Christian crowd the majority of the time means that songs must be explained sometimes. Instead of telling the crowd what, "The First Stone" is all about after singing it, I thought that it would be more fun and creative if I wrote an explanation to the song through another song. This is exactly why Wreck was written. a song of forgiveness to sequel the song of hurt. this allows me the ability to not explain every song before it is sung. I have been to too many Christian concerts where the lead singer started every song with "This song is about...". The point of music and poetry is to be able to say what you feel in artistic expression, then let the reader or listener interpret it for what is means to them at the moments. I have written songs about my mothers and had listeners tell me that they thought it was about the last hours of Christ in the garden. Which interpretation is more important for the listener at that time?"

- Stephen Stroope

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There is nothing like the warmth of Grace when we are reunited with our Father. You can really hear the joy in Stephen's voice through this one.

The First Stone

"The First Stone was written about one of the darkest moments in my life. Some say that the best songs are born out of tribulation. This could be so in this case. It is a song that represents abandonment, bitterness, and betrayal. And while these are forgivable, I believe that even Christian music should reflect the hurt of life in a very real sense. Again, it is a song that can be related to by both non-Christian and Christian alike. It also represents that fact that you don't stop getting hurt when you choose Christ, and sometimes you can receive that hurt from those you think to be Godly."

- Stephen Stroope

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Haunting words that all too often strike true. At the same time, all have fallen short of the glory God. That's when God is greatest really, when He lift us up despite our own shortcomings and brings us closer to Him.

Free

"Free is one of those songs that helps your soul to be at rest for a moment. There are so many things that we all want to be free of and sometimes it is good to let it go. Originally written to defeat the attacks of Satan when bringing up the past, Free is more an anthem for those imprisoned by whatever, than it is a ballad. Also, it is a favorite because it is a vocal showcase. anytime that I get to sing notes higher than I can play them, it is a wonderful moment."

- Stephen Stroope

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An anthem against oppression of the enemy is what this song intends to be and it fully delivers, figuratively and literally. Uplifting and encouraging, this song definitely a breath of life.

Holiday

The skin on my knees is starting to bleed from the time we spent in conversation,
but I can recall when nothing at all could make me look in your direction.
The things in my head, the things I have said, has shown your love has no condition (no condition).
So I'll get some faith, but I need some space to make some room for my religion.
Yeah, my religion.

I get so far away, it seems like I'm on a holiday.
You bring me back to You.
I'm living proof what Your love can do.

yeah-ay

I want to be new, so break me in two, whatever it takes to get attention.
'Cause I am a man, a part of your plan. 
I live in a land of imperfection; yea, imperfection.

I get so far away, it seems like I'm on a holiday.
You bring me back to You.
I'm living proof what Your love can do.

Yeah-ay , oh yeah-aay

I get so far away, it seems like I'm on a holiday.
You bring me back to You.
I'm living proof what Your love can do.

Cause I get so far away, it seems like I'm on a holiday.
You bring me back to You.
I'm living proof what Your love can do.

yeah-ay , oh yeah-aay , yeah-aay

aahhhhh

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This is probably my favorite song of Soulstrum's just because it so very relevant to my personal walk with the Lord.

Mama Said

"I came from a city with rap in its veins. Although Mamma Said is a far car from hip hop, it is a jumper. Yes, had it not been for the things that my mamma taught me, I probably would not be the person that I am today. but the reality is that the song is fun. You can wave your hands in the aiya. you can wave em' like you just don't caiya. Enough Said"

- Stephen Stroope

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The YouTube doesn't fully give justice to a live performance by these guys, but this leading track is probably the raddest of all. Gotta love the mid-song rap break down.