The airwaves are jammed with love songs. But radio romance seems to end at the altar — if it even gets that far.

That changes this Valentine’s Day as married couples get their own batch of songs thanks to contemporary Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman.

“All About Love” debuted Jan. 28, which “seemed like a good time to release a record all about love,” Chapman said. Music fans sent the CD to No. 12 on Billboard’s album chart — right between Ja Rule and Aaliyah.

Despite its subject matter, this CD isn’t a syrupy collection of ballads. In keeping with reality — and Chapman’s musical style — the CD takes listeners on the ups and downs of married life. It rolls through the upbeat title track, rocks to the hard-driving “I’m Gonna Be” and glides through the mellow remake of Chapman’s hit “I Will Be Here.”

Chapman’s own relationship was integral to the CD’s creation. Some of the songs originated as love letters and birthday cards written during the singer’s 18-year marriage to Mary Beth Chapman. In addition, she acted as executive producer.

“With this album in particular, our relationship and our 18 years of marriage being kind of the soil that a lot of these songs grew out of, it was really important to me for her to have a lot of input into this record,” Chapman said.

Of course, married life isn’t always perfect cooperation and joy — and that’s something that’s mentioned on the songs, too.

“We’ve struggled as much as two people can in a relationship,” Chapman said, “… and yet in the midst of that [we] say we are going to stay committed to each other. And we see why God has put us together and show us that it’s such a mysterious and wonderful thing.

“It’s easy to run when it gets sort of hard and challenging. … it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.”

Chapman’s family life is on display in “All About Love” — which even includes a title proclaiming Mary Beth’s birth date, “11-6-64” — but that isn’t unusual for this family.

Chapman’s recent video “When Love Takes You In” focuses on the joys of adopting his 3-year-old daughter, Shaohannah, from China. He also enjoys discussing family events on the concert stage.

However, focusing an entire CD on a member of the family is a first. “It’s kind of humbling to listen to the lyrics that someone has written for me, times however many songs are on the record,” said Mary Beth Chapman from a Sparrow Records interview.

“And to know that every experience that we’ve been through in life has been stored away somewhere in his little filing cabinet to someday be written about. So it’s pretty overwhelming.”

Her favorite song on the CD is Ronnie Milsap’s “I’ll Take Care of You.” Whenever new or frightening experiences popped up, Chapman would hold Mary Beth and sing it. So she told Chapman: “This is my song back to you.”

In addition to the CD, the Chapmans had planned to write a companion book but put that project on hold when they decided to adopt another daughter from China. Chapman said they wanted to write a book because his wife “has a story to tell that really encourages, especially, a lot of women.”

Chapman has been among contemporary Christian music’s most successful stars, selling more than 8 million units, and collecting four Grammys and 47 Dove Awards, which are handed out by the Gospel Music Association. This year, he has been nominated for the Dove Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year awards.

While the CD might seem removed from Chapman’s usual focus on praising God and encouraging others, he says, “It’s as deeply spiritual a record as anything I’ve done.”

“God created us to be in relationship with each other and the most powerful expression of that is the love of a man for a woman.”

As a marriage progresses, Chapman said, the man and woman realize more and more how different they are. “Suddenly, you realize that you’re radically different. It’s harder, but it’s way better.”

One of the things that can complicate Chapman’s life is a heavy touring schedule and that resulted in separation from family — something that he realizes is familiar to servicemembers. One of his son’s teachers is a reservist who has been called to active duty.

“I’m sure grateful and thankful for men and women in our country who are serving us,” he said, adding later: “We are sure praying for men and women in the military and our decision-makers.”

Chapman’s own schedule kept him away from home for one third of last year. The key to keeping the family relationships healthy was keeping in touch.

“The gift of a cell phone is an incredible invention. … I’m so thankful that we have that to keep us connected,” he said.

In addition, he surrounds himself with friends who understand these challenges and are committed to their marriages.

“One of the greatest dangers is to get isolated and feel all alone,” Chapman said.

He also keeps in mind that his career isn’t the only thing in his life.

“It’s not about success … but I did my job well and with excellence, but I didn’t do it at the cost of my family or what matters most,” he said.

Chapman wants his children to say they knew that Dad and Mom loved each other. “We live in a world that doesn’t always elevate that to the place it needs to be,” he said.

In fact, he points out, the title track is “All About Love.”

“I think that we all know how profoundly powerful love is,” Chapman said. “Songwriters haven’t exhausted the power of romance and, as I said, that God made us for relationships, and ultimately the relationship with him.”

• Email
• Print
• More...