Russ Taff - I'm Not Alone Lyrics
Lyrics
Sometimes it feels like I'm out here pushing,
Banging my head against the wall,
And I wonder where you are,
I'm so alone,
It all seems so ordinary,
Just marking time without reason,
It's so hard to be here feeling all alone.
But when I close my eyes I know you are here, near me again,
And when I close my eyes you feel the prayer I breathe,
I hear you say my name,
I'm not alone.
I see the problem very clearly,
It's a tug of war in my soul, between choosing to believe or feeling alone,
My heart is telling me not to worry, but my head isn't yielding,
It insists on feeling left all alone.
But when I close my eyes I know you are here, near me again,
And when I close my eyes you feel the prayer I breathe,
I hear you say my name,
I'm not alone.
Close my eyes,
Close my eyes.
When I close my eyes I know you are here, you're near me again,
And when I close my eyes you fill the air I breathe,
I hear you say my name,
I'm not alone,
When I close my eyes, I close my eyes, you are here,
When I close my eyes you feel the prayer I breathe,
And I hear you say my name,
Not alone,
When I close my eyes I know you are here, you're near me again,
(fade)
Video
Russ Taff - "I'm Not Alone" (1986) - MDA Telethon
Meaning & Inspiration
Russ Taff's 1985 release, "I'm Not Alone," from the album *Medals*, delves into a profound struggle familiar to many: the gnawing feeling of isolation and doubt that can grip even the most faithful heart. The song opens with a raw portrayal of feeling overwhelmed, of efforts seeming futile against an unyielding wall, a sentiment echoed in verses like Job 7:6, which laments, "My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope." This initial confession of being utterly alone, of merely marking time without purpose, resonates with the human condition when the spiritual connection feels distant, a void that can tempt one to believe they are truly forsaken.
However, the song pivots dramatically with the power of focused contemplation. Taff introduces a transformative practice: closing one's eyes. This act is not merely a physical closing but a spiritual turning inward, a deliberate seeking of presence. It is in this quiet space that the overwhelming sense of solitude begins to dissipate. The lyrics shift to a profound realization of an ever-present, loving entity, "when I close my eyes I know you are here." This aligns with the promise found in passages like Hebrews 13:5, which assures us, "He himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" The act of closing one's eyes becomes a tangible expression of faith, a conscious decision to acknowledge the divine presence that surrounds and sustains us. The breath becomes a conduit, a prayer breathed into existence, met with an immediate, personal response, "I hear you say my name." This intimate reassurance speaks to the personalized nature of God's love, a God who knows each of us individually, as Jeremiah 29:11 illustrates, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The core conflict is then laid bare: "It's a tug of war in my soul, between choosing to believe or feeling alone." This internal battle is a constant, where the rational mind, with its anxieties and doubts, clashes with the spirit's intuitive knowing of love and security. This internal wrestling mirrors the struggle described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:15-20, where he speaks of doing what he does not want to do and not doing what he wants to do, a testament to the ongoing process of spiritual growth and the need for divine strength. Yet, even when the head "insists on feeling left all alone," the heart, guided by a deeper truth, whispers reassurance. Taff’s message here is a powerful encouragement to lean into that inner voice of faith, to choose belief even when the circumstances or internal dialogues suggest otherwise.
The repeated refrain, "When I close my eyes I know you are here," serves as a mantra, reinforcing the song's central theme. It’s an invitation for the listener to engage in this same practice of spiritual seeking. The song doesn’t offer a magical cure for doubt but rather a pathway through it. It highlights that the feeling of being alone is often a perception that can be overcome by intentionally seeking and recognizing the constant, loving presence of God. The repetition of "Close my eyes" becomes an instruction, a gentle but firm directive towards a more profound connection, reminding us that in stillness, we can experience the profound truth articulated in Psalm 27:10: "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." "I'm Not Alone" is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the liberating realization that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly by ourselves.