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.
Justin: The
clouds above you start to pour
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
You
can let your soul run free
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…
J.C..: Somewhere
there’s a break in the weather
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
Showing you the
way
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
It’s like a
beacon in the night
Showing you the
way
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.
***
