Several years ago, Rev. C. Stam introduced readers of Reformed Perspective to the music of Paul Overstreet (“Sowin' Love – The Music of Paul Overstreet,” RP, March 1992). Rev. Stam showed us how Paul Overstreet's music reflects a Christian worldview. Examining especially the release Sowin' Love, Rev. Stam concluded that the “music of Paul Overstreet is a rather exceptional item on the modern musical menu.” Spurred on by Rev. Stam, the current writer fell deeply in love with the music of Overstreet. Since the time that Rev. Stam wrote his article, Overstreet has released several more records. In this article, we'll take a look at the latest release of Paul Overstreet, Time.

Background⤒🔗

Before we dive into our appraisal, we should take a short look at Overstreet's roots and background. Paul Overstreet was born in 1955 in Newton, Mississippi, the son of a Baptist minister. After finishing high school in Newton, Overstreet moved to Nashville in 1973, where, after spending some time as a welder, he started playing the country music club scene. It was at this time that he began songwriting, first for himself, and then later for others. Overstreet says about those early years, “I was conditioned to write about misery.” He admits to being involved heavily with drinking and drugs during his early years in Nashville.

During this time, Overstreet also married one of Dolly Parton's younger sisters, but this marriage did not last very long. In 1984, Overstreet kicked his drugs and drinking and came clean, at some point also becoming a Christian. Shortly thereafter, in early 1985, Overstreet married his present wife, Julie, who had been a make-up artist on a television show in which he was appearing. Today, Julie and Paul live on a farm where they homeschool their children.

Many of Overstreet's songs have been country-music hits. In 1988, Overstreet won a Grammy for Best Country Song with “Forever and Ever Amen,” a song which Randy Travis recorded. In 1991, he picked up another Grammy for the Judd's song, “Love Can Build a Bridge.” Besides writing for others, Overstreet has also gained recognition as a singer/songwriter on his own. He has had several top-ten songs, including “Sowin' Love,” “All the Fun,” and “Ball and Chain.”

Time←⤒🔗

Paul Overstreet's latest album continues his tradition of playing country music with strong Christian themes. The music on Time is very upbeat, utilizing common country music instruments, such as fiddles, steel guitars, etc… The music, as was stated by Rev. Stam, is still very harmonious and melodic. There are two songs on the album which are very upbeat, but these do not detract from the characteristic country thrust. Overall, Overstreet's music is very beautiful and uplifting – it does wonderful justice to the positive words contained within the songs.

Almost any man who has asked a woman to marry him will be able to relate to the song “I'm Gonna Ring Her.” In this song, Overstreet writes from the perspective of a young man who is going to ask his girlfriend to marry him:

I spent all day in the jewelry store
I looked around 'till I was sure
I found the one
That she just couldn't turn down
Now it's right here in a box in my pocket
It'd break my heart if she doesn't like it
I want her to know I mean business
I ain't messing around

The song makes very clear that this young man wants to enter into a permanent marriage relationship with his girlfriend. The nervousness which often surrounds a marriage proposal is captured very well by Overstreet:

I'm reaching my hand down into my coat
I can hardly speak for this lump in my throat
I hope there's a yes in her heart tonight
'Cause it feels like the timing is right

The song reminds those of us who are married about that nervous time – for those who are not married it gives something to look forward to with nervous anticipation.

Relationships←⤒🔗

Marriage is mentioned often by Overstreet on Time. The album deals with relationships, the difficulties encountered and the joys experienced. This theme is especially noticed in the song, “Even When It Don't Feel Like It.” In this song, a young man goes to his grandfather for some advice because he's about to get married and he wants to know how his grandfather and grandmother managed to keep their marriage working. The grandfather answers:

Even when it don't feel like it
It's still love
Even when we don't act like it
It's still love
We made ourself a promise
And we're never giving up
Even when it don't feel like love

The grandfather's advice comes in handy after the young man gets married and encounters the first problems of married life. One can certainly criticize Overstreet for leaving the Lord out of this equation. True “solid ground” for marriages is found in the Lord. “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” (Psalm 127:1). Perhaps Overstreet's message is inclusive of this Biblical truth, but it's regrettable that it's not more openly stated.

In the song “You Gave Me Time” Overstreet deals with the relationship between fathers and sons. The son is speaking with his father who is apparently nearing the end of his life here on earth. The song states:

You could have spent more nights
Down at the office
You were smart enough
To make the big time deals
But your heart brought you home
To us every evening
You were always there to say the prayers
Before our evening meals

The son is thankful that his father had his priorities straight. The most important thing in the father's life was to give time to his family, to pitch baseballs to his son, to talk with him, to give him time. Overstreet shows us the importance of spending time with our families. The real important things in life are in the home, where your family is, rather than at work. This truth falls in line with the importance which Scripture gives to the family. It is important for husbands and fathers to give time to their families, to nurture them, to lead them in family worship, and to help them grow in every way possible. Our families must indeed be a priority in our lives.

Overstreet does not just deal with the relationships between fathers and sons. The song “Mr. Miller” goes one step further and also touches on sons and father-in-laws. In this song the narrator is thanking his deceased father-in-law for the gift of his daughter. The song tells us how wonderful it is when Christian fathers love their wives and families. The product of such love is even more love.

The Importance of Chastity←⤒🔗

The song “One in a Million” tells the story of a young girl who is saving herself for marriage. She's “one in a million” and she's waiting for her “one in a million.” She does not want to spoil what God has reserved for marriage. The positive message of this song is reflected in these lines:

She wrote in her diary
About a boy named John
But he couldn't wait
And now his golden chance is gone
She's felt the hunger
And she's known the desire
But she gonna wait
Until it's time to burn that fire

This song does not downplay the difficulty in remaining chaste. Overstreet acknowledges that it can be very difficult to save sex for marriage. Yet the positive example of this girl shows us the importance of overcoming our desires so that marriage may be held in honour.

The Gospel←⤒🔗

The final song we'll look at is the explicit gospel song on the album, “My Rock.” The music in this song is very upbeat, reflecting the fact that it is a southern gospel song. Perhaps some might even be offended by the music. However, the words in the song are very Biblical:

One night I repented
I got down on my beaded knee
I cried Lord, have mercy
Won't you save my soul from sin
Now I'm walkin', but not alone
'Cause I'm headed straight for home

The song not only presents a testimony of what Christ has done, it also presents the gospel message:

Come to Jesus and repent
Get your feet on the solid rock
He the One who can help you
He will hear you when you cry
Yes, it's Jesus, He my Savior
He my friend and any faithful guide
My Lord He is real
And He will lead you to the other side

There is nothing to criticize in the words of this song. It contains the Biblical message to repent and believe without the Arminian baggage which so often accompanies contemporary evangelism. This is the first song which Overstreet has recorded which explicitly challenges his listeners to believe the gospel message. The music may possibly be an object of criticism by some, but the words are very orthodox.

Country Leaven←⤒🔗

Paul Overstreet is a very different kind of country musician. He cannot be strictly classified as a gospel singer, since most of his material does not speak openly of religious themes. However, Overstreet's work in most instances clearly reflects a Christian outlook on life. This shows us that Christian's do not have to write “gospel” songs in order to be culturally involved. Christians, for example, may also sing and write love songs, but those are going to reflect our Christian worldview, as do Overstreet's songs.

Paul Overstreet is a fine example of a Christian who has applied his worldview to his art. We would do well to encourage others among us to do the same thing. Being a Christian singer/songwriter does not mean that every single song speaks directly of “religious” things. Our art should naturally reflect our Christian worldview, and in that way act as a leaven in the unbelieving society which surrounds us. Paul Overstreet is likely not a Calvinist – but yet he puts us to shame for his unabashedly Christian work. Reformed folk may learn from other Christians such as Overstreet the importance of being a salt, light, and leaven to the unbelieving world in which we live.

Note←⤒🔗

Unlike his previous releases, Time will probably not be available in mainstream record stores, since it has been released by a small independent company and distributed in Canada by Christian Marketing Canada Limited. However, most Christian record stores will likely carry it.