Every song has a story, and for Jay Davids, music has always been about more than just melody—it’s a testament to restoration, reconciliation, and raw honesty. With roots shaped by faith-filled family traditions and a heart for those going through brokenness, he continues to create music that blends grit, groove, and gospel soul. His latest single, “You Go I Go,” captures both the struggle of uncertainty and the declaration of surrender. In this conversation, he opens up about the personal stories, inspirations, and calling that fuel his music.
“You Go I Go” was birthed out of a season of uncertainty and inspired by Psalm 119:105. Can you share the personal story behind this song and how it became both a wrestle with control and a declaration of surrender?
For me, this song comes out of a pattern I have lived many times. I often seek clarity on the entire path, but what I receive from God is usually just the next step. It feels like standing in the dark with my foot hanging in the air, waiting for God to light the stone I am supposed to step on. Psalm 119:105 does not say His word is a floodlight. It says it is a lamp to our feet. Just enough for the next step. Just enough for today. The track blends blues, soul, gospel grit, and southern rock into a three-minute anthem.
How intentional was that fusion of styles, and what does that sound palette allow you to express that other genres might not?
I wouldn’t say it was a calculated decision, but when I look back at the sounds that shaped me both as a man and as an artist, it feels almost like a metaphor. Every style you mentioned carries deep emotion, whether it is an ache or a joy. That mirrors my own journey of following God. I have learned to trust that where He leads is good, even when the path is painful.
You describe your music as “restoration songs for people in the middle of it.” Who do you picture when you write and sing these songs, and what does “restoration” mean to you in a spiritual and practical sense?
Many of my songs come out of real seasons of brokenness, like divorce, estrangement, abandonment, and personal failures. When I write, I picture people who are walking through the same kinds of struggles, longing for healing and for family to be restored. For me, “restoration” means God taking what feels lost or beyond repair and making it whole again. My songs and my story are living proof that it is possible. If He has done it for me, I believe He can do it for anyone.
Growing up on Long Island, you were surrounded by dinner-table sing-alongs of bluegrass, gospel, and praise tunes. How did that unconventional but faith-filled upbringing shape the artist you’ve become today?
What felt completely normal to me growing up turned out to be something special. It wasn’t just faith-filled; it was fun, weird, and silly, and it became a legacy. My parents built something that shaped not only me but generations. All my siblings serve in their churches; one is a missionary, and I’m a contemporary Christian artist. Our kids are gifted, too, and many of them are serving in their churches as well. So, to say it shaped me feels like an understatement. I’m walking out a faith-filled legacy that started with my parents and even before them.
Your lyrics are raw and honest, weaving themes of healing, reconciliation, and grace. How do you navigate the balance between personal vulnerability and universal relatability when writing songs?
It’s a balance. I’ve written plenty of songs that never make it out of my notebook. I’ve even shared songs with mentors who said, “I’m glad you got that out of your system,” which taught me a lot. Over time, I’ve learned to step back and look at what I’ve written from the outside, asking myself, “Why should I, or anyone else, care about this?” At the end of the day, a song must hit the emotions. It must be authentic, or people won’t connect with it. But it doesn’t always have to be specific. That’s where the artistry comes in—finding the balance between personal honesty and a universal truth people can hold onto. Bryant Urich produced the song. What did that collaboration bring to the final sound of “You Go I Go,” and how did he help bring your vision to life?
Bryant is excellent and made it very easy to communicate my vision. The real magic, though, was in how he paired that vision with the right musicians to bring it to life. He knew which drummer, bass player, or other player could fill that groove most authentically and then was able to communicate the vision to them. That was the special sauce.
You’ve mentioned Malachi 4:6 as a guiding verse for your music. How does the theme of reconciliation between generations play into your calling as both a musician and minister through song?
I’ve personally walked through loss and separation in my own family, both as a son and as a father. It’s not a unique story, but when you’re in it, it often feels hopeless, like reconciliation will never happen. Malachi 4:6 reminds us that God’s heart is for restoration between generations. That’s not just a verse I quote, it’s a promise I hold onto for my own life, and it’s a hope I believe many others need to hear. We’re living in a culture where estrangement has almost become normal, but I think it breaks God’s heart. Part of my calling as a musician and minister is to speak into that and remind people that healing is still possible.
Looking ahead, “You Go I Go” sets the tone for what’s next. What can listeners expect from future music—will you continue blending grit, groove, and gospel soul, or are there new directions on the horizon?
This sound really is who I am, and I’m going to keep leaning into it the best way I know how. That said, I’m not afraid to stretch into new territory. The truth is, I haven’t even touched all my favorite influences yet. So, listeners can expect more of the grit, groove, and gospel soul they’ve come to know, but also some fresh colors and surprises as I keep creating.
How can we be praying for you?
Pray that I’ll have the strength and courage to walk out my calling fully. My heart is to carry this message of restoration, what I call Mission 4:6, to people who desperately need it. Pray that I can stay faithful in that mission and that God will open the right doors for it to reach those who need hope the most.
Paul Phillips is a Canadian journalist with two decades of experience in creating and editing digital and print content. He focuses on health, fitness, nutrition, and travel. He enjoys music, movies, and, naturally, living for Jesus. OpenAI's ChatGPT assisted with the creation of this article.
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