Song Lyric Sunday – With Arms Wide Open

Jim Adams has continued with his body part theme for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday. The prompts are Arms, Elbows, Knees and Legs. I have chosen With Arms Wide Open by Creed. For some reason I have a soft spot for certain singers. To name a few, Lenny Kravitz, Eminem, Ed Sheeran and Scott Stapp of Creed. They all have personal stories that have touched my heart. Today’s song written by Stapp reflects his personal story.

Lead singer Scott Stapp wrote this song after finding out he was going to be a father. He had a son named Jagger, and later had two more children.

Once he found out that he was going to have a son, Stapp wrote this song because he didn’t want his child facing the same problems he faced while growing up. Stapp was from a very strict, very devout Christian household and he didn’t want his son to grow up questioning himself and his faith like Scott did. Stapp told us: “Don’t we always want our kids to be better than us? Don’t we always want them to have a better experience in this life and this journey than we did? So I think that from my point of view I’m beginning to see why that song struck a chord with multiple generations: because it touches on a feeling and sentiments that are universal for fathers, and for parents in general.”

The title became the name of a foundation set up by Stapp to help children and families. To launch the With Arms Wide Open Foundation, the band released a limited edition “enhanced-package single” in September 2000, with proceeds going to the charity. The single contained an orchestrated version, a rock version, an acoustic reading, and the music video.

This won the 2000 Grammy for Best Rock Song. It was also nominated for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.

The song inspired a T-shirt sold at The Hard Rock Cafe to benefit the With Arms Wide Open Foundation. The shirt features Stapp holding a child.

This was Creed’s only #1 hit on the Pop charts, although they had several other #1s on the Mainstream Rock charts.

Backstory provided by Songfacts

Lyrics

Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I close my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything

With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything, oh yeah
With arms wide open, wide open

If I had just one wish
Only one demand
I hope he's not like me
I hope he understands
That he can take this life
And hold it by the hand
And he can greet the world
With arms wide open

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

I'll show you everything, oh yeah
With arms wide open, wide open

Writer/s: Mark Tremonti, Scott Stapp 
Publisher: RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind