Hope in Front of Me

Album: Hope in Front of Me (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Danny Gokey's first wife, Sophia, unexpectedly died during heart surgery in 2008 just before he tried out for American Idol. The former church leader was open about his grief throughout his appearances in the singing competition. Gokey signed with RCA Nashville immediately following his run on Idol but after releasing one single, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me," he was dropped from the label's roster.

    After struggling with thoughts of suicide, marrying his second wife Leyicet Peralta was one of the many steps Gokey took toward hope, which he details in the title track of his first faith-based album. "If people can look at my life and say, 'What would have happened if I gave up at that point?' There would be no Sophia's Heart (Gokey's charity). There would be no impactful music. There would be no hope for changing people's lives. There would be no (family)," Gokey told The Tennessean. "And I think if people could take that and apply it to themselves, they could see that it's not time to give up. There's other people's lives that need your story, so keep moving forward."
  • Danny Gokey started his music career singing with his family in church, and he later spent several years as the worship director at Faith Builders International Ministries, Milwaukee. This was his first song to top the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.

Comments: 1

  • Linda Julien from Gladstone,njDanny,
    You are an inspiration to us all! We all struggle from time to time but your message resonates with truth, compassion and love. You have truly walked the walk! Love your song, Faith, Hope and Hope in Front of me! Been there, done that! I plan to share your songs and inspiration with my Women’s Ministry group at my church, Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church in Warren, NJ.
    Blessings,
    Linda
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

16 Songs With a Heartbeat

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.