The Title cut from the album of the same name, this subtle but penetrating ballad is about how we should shed our pridefulness when dealing with each other and see each other as God sees us. To present ourselves as a "plain brown wrapper".
AndyW has an upbeat penetrating style which will catch your ear and hopefully challenge your life.
Andy is an Independent Christian Artist and Songwriter who has been writing and performing music for over 15 years. Andy has released four self-produced CD's under the PlankintheEye Music label.
Story behind the song
This song grew from my strong desire to counteract the "look at me" mentality of today's society...if you are not thin, strong, smart, hip, etc...the list goes on of how the world tells us to be...but God tells us to be vessels for Him and His love. We don't have to be perfect, and we certainly don't have to live up to the unrealistic standards set before us. For all the people out there who don't fit the mold or who are told they arn't worth much because of their outward appearance..remember, you can wrap a diamond in a plain brown wrapper and it is still a beautiful diamond! This is how God sees us since the inside is what really matters! This song was written from October to December 1998 and recorded from January to March 1999. The final master was finished in July 1999. This song took a lot of takes on the vocals and many of the styles and harmonies recorded didn't make the final cut...It just sounded better simpler...in keeping with the theme of the song! The hardest decision was the solo instrument...a guitar seemed appropriate but the song is ALL guitar...I opted for a totally different sound and I think the punchy "super jupiter" synth sound really gives a melodic break to the song, although some people told me otherwise before the album release(I stuck with my gut instinct...what do you think?)
Lyrics
“Plain Brown Wrapper” ccccI see people, living their lives, ccTrying to get not to give, ccAnd their hearts are hardened, ccTo the wisdom of truth, ccSo an empty life they live, ccOutside we’re pretty, sexy and smart, ccWhile our souls are dying inside. ccWhen will we see it’s the inside that matters, ccNot the way you look or the flaws you hide, ccIt’s not the way you look or the flaws you hide, ccccChorus: ccccWe should be like a plain brown wrapper, ccNothing special to see, ccWho do we think that we’re impressing? ccHe sees to the heart of me. ccccWe should look at how we’re living, ccDoes our pride get in the way? ccIs my life a one of giving? ccWhen people look at me, what do they see? ccWhen people look at me what do they see? cc…is it the plain brown wrapper of me? ccccVerse 2: ccHow we present ourselves to others, ccSpeaks to the state of our soul, ccDo we think we’re so much better? ccAt the end of this life we pay the same toll. ccOutside we’re prideful, witty and vain, ccWhile the inside is breaking apart, ccThinking of others before ourselves, ccSeems like the perfect place to start, ccThat seems like the perfect place to start… ccccChorus ccccSolo ccccChorus ccCopyright © 1998-1999 by Andrew Wiest ccScripture – I Samuel 16:7; John 3:30; Matthew 16:25 Mark 8:35
