Chapter
34 – The
Power Of A Prayer
The
performance date was approaching swiftly. Not a word was said about the
Backstreet Boy’s appearance. It had been announced that ABC’s pop music special
was going to have a huge surprise, but a tight lid was kept on what it was.
Rumors flew, but it was all speculation. The word that it could be the Backstreet
Boys was spread, but no one knew for sure. Most were convinced the rumor was
false, as Jive had maintained virtual silence in regards to Backstreet’s
timetable, or if they even had one. None of the band members could be reached
for comment. It was if they had vanished. Still, it was just enough of a hope
to get fans talking. The media was all over it, determined to discover just
what this ‘secret’ was. They were unsuccessful.
When
the night came, the Boys waited anxiously as Britney Spears and Destiny’s Child
performed a few songs. ‘NSYNC came next, and played off of the anticipation of
the audience, who were anxiously waiting to see what the fuss was about. They
tore up the stage with their latest single, along with Bye Bye Bye.
Even
A.J. was nervous as they warmed up together before they were due to come out.
As soon as ‘NSYNC finished, they were going to introduce Backstreet, and invite
them onstage. Together they would perform “Somewhere Someday,” and then ‘NSYNC
would vacate the stage, where Backstreet alone would perform their new song.
Justin
completed their last song flawlessly, working the crowd like a pro. Backstreet
waited in the wings patiently. The electricity was unbelievable, and the
anticipation of what was to come was almost unbearable. The knowledge that
thousands more were watching at home only added to the frenzy.
“Man,
we’d better deliver,” A.J. muttered to himself.
Justin
took the mike again, drawing a roar from the crowd. “Hey y’all!” he hollered.
He was greeted with screams and yells. “Well, as you all know, we’ve got
something pretty cool planned for all of you tonight. He cast a sly look out
over the audience. “Are ya excited?” Deafening screams greeted him.
“I
don’t know, that was kinda weak,” he said, sounding disappointed. The crowd got
louder, if that was at all possible. “All right then! I am not gonna say
anything more.” He leaned out towards them with a devastating grin. “Here it
comes.”
All of
the lights went out. The stage was totally dark as the five members of the Backstreet
Boys walked calmly on stage. They all stood side by side, ‘NSYNC to the left,
and Backstreet to the right. Several moments passed, allowing the anticipation
to build to a head.
Breathe, Brian thought. Just breathe.
The
lights flashed on, bathing the stage in sudden brilliance. A hush fell over the
spectators as they took in the sight before them.
“For
everyone here tonight, and for everyone watching at home,” J.C. said as the
crowd exploded. “We brought some friends over for a visit. I don’t think you’ve
seen them in awhile.”
“And
you know what?” Lance said. “They would like to know if they can do a little
singing for all y’all.”
“These
fellas have gone through an awful lot to get here tonight,” Justin said loudly.
“Would you please welcome them back to the stage for the first time since we
almost lost them just over a year ago? Ladies and gentlemen, the Backstreet
Boys!”
The
screaming slowly died away, as all those in attendance rose to their feet one
by one, clapping furiously. The five singers looked on in amazement as everyone
present stood to acknowledge what they had accomplished. And they had yet to
utter a word. A.J. glanced to his left, where he saw Brian fighting back tears.
Howie looked absolutely stunned, and Nick’s mouth was actually hanging open.
Even Kevin’s eyes were glistening. None of them had expected this.
Brian
managed to step forward to his mike.
“Hello
everyone,” he said, his voice raw with emotion. The audience began to quiet and
take their seats again. When it had calmed down, he continued. “I don’t know
how to thank you. What you just did just now has made every step of the long
road we have been down worth it. Every step. Thank you. I guess I should
explain what we’re doing here. You see, I came to Lance here one day a few months
ago and asked him if he and the rest of ‘NSYNC would be willing to get together
with us and do a little duet with a song that has meant an awful lot to me and
the rest of the guys when we were in trouble last year. Things got really rough
for us, and this song reminded me that everything happens for a reason, and as
long as you have faith you will come out a stronger person. Well they said
yes,” Cheering erupted. “And we are going to perform that song for you right
now.” As he finished, the other members of the band stepped up.
Justin
picked up a microphone. “Y’all ready?” he asked.
“Let’s
do it!” A.J. replied.
The
chords of the song began to play, and the audience slowly quieted.
Justin
sang out softly.
And
all of your doubts rage like a storm
Nick: And
you don’t know who you are anymore
Brian: Let
me help you find what you’ve been searching for
All: Somewhere…
Howie: Somewhere
there’s a field and a river
All: Someday…
Howie: Someday
let me be the giver
Let
me bring you peace
All: Somewhere…
Justin: Somewhere
there’s a break in the weather
All: Somewhere…
Justin: Where
your heart and spirit go free
All: Someday…
Brian: Someday
it’ll be for the better
Let
this bring you peace
J.C. Girl
I know you think no one sees
The
weight on your shoulders, but you can’t fool me
Nick: And
aren’t you tired of standing so tall
Let
me be the one to catch you when you fall
All: Somewhere…
A.J.: Somewhere
there’s a field and a river
All: Somewhere…
A.J.: You
can let your soul run free
All: Someday…
JC: Someday
let me be the giver
Let
me bring you peace, baby
All: Somewhere…
All: Somewhere…
J.C. Where
your heart and spirit go free
All: Someday…
Brian: Someday
it’ll be for the better
Let
this bring you peace
A.J.: Let
me bring you joy
All: Bring
you joy
A.J. Let
me bring you peace
Justin: Take
these tears that you cry
Brian: And
trust them to me
Kevin: Let
me give you heart
All: Give
you heart
Kevin: Let
me give you hope
All: Give
you hope
A.J. and
Kevin: Be
the one constant love
J.C.: That
you’ve never known
All: Somewhere
Kevin: Somewhere
there’s a field and a river
J.C.: You
can let your soul run free
All: Someday…
Nick: Someday
let me be the giver
J.C.: Let
me bring you peace baby
All: Somewhere…
A.J.: Somewhere
there’s a break in the weather
J.C.: Where
your heart and spirit go free
All: Someday…
Nick: Someday
it’ll be for the better
Brian: Let
this bring you peace
Justin/J.C. Somewhere
Chris: Somewhere
Howie: Somewhere
Brian: Somewhere
A.J.: Somewhere
J.C.: Someday
Justin: Let
me be the one
Howie: Let me be the one
Brian: To
catch you when you fall
Brian: Let
me bring you peace
As
Brian’s finished the note, the audience was silent. As soon as it ended
cheering exploded, ringing in their ears with a sound that was sweeter than the
music they worked so hard to put together.
“Well,”
Justin said, flushed and grinning, looking at Brian. “I guessed they liked
that.” He turned back the audience. “You aren’t gonna let them get away with
just that are ya?” he shouted. The crowd screamed in response.
Chris
shrugged and looked at the Backstreet Boys. “I don’t know, it looks like you guys
need to do another song or something to make these people happy.” He shook his
head and spoke to the audience. “You people are a tough crowd! Do you hear me?
A tough crowd!” he yelled. He cocked his head back to the other band members.
“Imagine, demanding another song from the Backstreet Boys like that.”
“Well,
what do you think A.J.?” Nick asked. “Can we do another?”
“I
think we can arrange that. You guys think it’s ok?”
“Yeah,
we can do that,” Kevin said.
“Sure,”
Howie said agreeably.
‘NSYNC
bowed out gracefully as Brian, Kevin, Howie, A.J., and Nick all sat down in
chairs that had been provided for them. Kevin leaned forward to speak.
“I want
to thank all of you here tonight and all of you watching at home. We have been
working very hard for the past year, and you can’t possibly imagine how excited
we are to be here right now. We want you all to know that we are not going to
just disappear, we are still here, and we can’t wait to be back doing
this full time. We’re getting closer, so keep your eyes open.”
Howie
stepped in. “We also want to thank ‘NSYNC for giving us this chance to perform
with them tonight, and ABC for taking a chance on us. We really, really
appreciate this.”
“Peace!”
A.J. shouted.
“Okay
fellas,” Nick said. “Are we ready for this?”
“What
we are going to do for you now is going to be our new single,” Brian said. “All
of you are the first ones to hear it.” More cheering. He grinned. “The five of
us wrote and produced it. Anything that was involved in the creation of this
song was done by us. It means a lot to us, and I hope it will mean a lot to all
of you out there as well. It’s called ‘The Power Of A Prayer.’ Ready y’all?”
“Ready,”
they all chimed.
The
music that they were already so familiar with began to play, softly at first.
From the first note, despite the huge audience, you could hear a pin drop. And
then Brian’s voice could be heard throughout the crowd.
*Authors
note: These are lyrics that I wrote. It is not an existing song. It is my song.
Imagine “The Perfect Fan” crossed with “Like A Child” crossed with “When You
Come Back To Me Again.” (By Garth Brooks)
Brian: The
power of a prayer
Kevin: Now
I know that dark days are a part of life
Tears
and fears will try to take your dreams away
Brian: But
as long as there is someone left to care
You
won’t be left standing there
All: The
power of a prayer
Be it
one voice singing silently
Or a
million crying out up to the sky
It’s
like a beacon in the night
Showing
you the way
Brian: Oh
the power of a prayer
Howie: At
times you think the heavens just don’t care
If they
did then why would you be where you are
Nick: But
all you need to do is open your heart and see
And let
the power of a prayer set you free
All: The
power of a prayer
Be it
one voice singing silently
Or a
million crying out up to the sky
It’s
like a beacon in the night
Nick: Oh
the power of a prayer
A.J.: When
it looks like hope is gone
A prayer
will keep you hanging on
All: Oh
the power of a prayer
Be it
one voice singing silently
Or a million
crying out up to the sky
A.J.: Oh
the power of a prayer
Brian: When
you’re weak
All: (Just
a prayer)
A.J. You
can be strong
All: (With a prayer)
Brian: Lift
your head and carry on
All: (Ohh
a prayer)
A.J.: Can
you see it
All: (Ain't
it beautiful)
Brian: Can
you feel it
All: (So
much love)
Nick: It’s
just the power of a prayer
All: The
power of a prayer
Howie: So
here’s a thank you oh so true
A.J.: For
all the love that pulled us through
Brian: And
for the power of a prayer that comes from you
The
performance was flawless, all five of them pouring out their hearts and souls
into the words and giving it everything they had. As Brian’s voice died away
there was silence, which soon broke away to a tremendous roar as the audience
hit their feet and began to scream. The sound rushed through them, shaking up
their souls and bringing banishing whatever fear still remained. The ovation
lasted for over ten minutes.
“Thank
you,” Brian said breathlessly when they had quieted a little.
A.J.
grinned, and spoke into his mike. “Keep a lookout folks, because Backstreet’s
back.”
The
following day, news of the comeback was all over the place. There were news
articles, clips on MTV and other news programs. The Boys were bombarded with
phone calls requesting interviews and looking for statements. The announcement
of their album release ignited a fury of excitement. The five of them worked
nonstop to get ready for the release of the single and the album, and the
kickoff of their tour. Nick paused in the middle of it all, taking a moment to
praise God for giving them the strength to unite with each other and overcome
all that the world had thrown at them. This was a testament to their courage,
will, and friendship. They had seen the darkness, crawled through it on their
knees, and rediscovered the sunlight.