Tricia Brock is known for her high-energy, positive pop as frontwoman of the band Superchick; her first solo effort, The Road, shows a refreshing new side of the familiar voice.

The Road features new versions of the popular songs “Always” and “Jesus I Am Resting, Resting,” in addition to new songs of worship penned from moments deep within Tricia’s personal journal. The Road is an open window into the intimacy of her heart.

“We may be broken, but we’re never destroyed,” the album’s lyrics proclaim. Tricia wants to share that at times the listener may feel without hope, but there’s no need to fear. Hope, refuge and strength are always with us when we are with God.

I had the chance to interview Tricia Brock about “You Are My Shepherd.”


Please tell me the background message behind the song “You Are My Shepherd.”

I feel like as a song, “You Are My Shepherd” makes sense of the whole record -- lyrically and everything about the song. When we started writing for the album over 18 months ago, we were writing songs and were provided songs to consider recording. We wanted to write as many songs as possible and make the album as personal as possible. We heard this song and in the end, three of the five songs we ended up recording that we didn’t write were co-written by Jennie Lee Riddle, including this song. I love her writing. It is so honest, and has lots of depth lyrically.

I know when I listen to a song and I wish I had written it, then I know I want to record the song. This was one of those songs. The album as a whole talks about being in need of God’s rescue. Life all around has felt like a battle. It’s been a tough few years for us, and I look around and I see tornadoes and other destruction. It seems like a time in the world when there is struggle with health, finances, etc. For me, God is my Shepherd.

Which Bible verses best connect to the message of the song?

Psalm 23: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

What's the takeaway message for listeners?

The line in the song, “You are my Shepherd in the wilderness,” fits perfectly what we are trying to say on the whole album. I love how my husband arranged the song musically with strings and piano. I’ve been singing this song last to end Superchick shows, and there’s something about it. There’s this emotion that this song brings out, even the first time your hear it.

For me, I need that rescue and peace that comes from knowing that God is my Shepherd. No matter how lost we get, we can know that He is seeking us out, even when we feel lost, hurting and straying. He’s never lost us and He’ll find us. That brings peace when life isn’t easy.

For me, this album was written as a step of faith. I have continued to have tough times. It feels like at times as Christians we’re living on another planet and we’re fighting all the time. We all know why--because we weren’t made for this world. Writing and singing songs of worship aren’t always easy when things aren’t going well. We’re called to worship and we need to be obedient. We are dependent on God for every breath. A state of brokenness keeps us on our knees and helps us realize how much we need God.

In reality, sometimes people’s lives seem to work out and they sometimes forget their need for God. I have seen in my life that God uses broken people as His vessels. Choosing to worship when you don’t feel like it deepens your faith. Even in the midst of our greatest struggles, we need to find joy and peace from knowing God.


Here are the lyrics:

There is one thing I desire, one thing I seek.
To hide in You, abide in You. I'm Yours for You to keep.

You prepare a table for me.
You're my portion and my cup.
You are the source of strength.
Lord, You have filled me up.

You are my shepherd in the wilderness.
Who shall I fear?
You are the God who goes before me,
My Rock and my Shield.
In troubled times You will provide
And I shall not want
You are, You are my God.

Though I walk through the valley of death,
I will magnify and glorify You with every breath

When the wicked stand against me
I will follow as You lead
You are the truth and way,
The lamp unto me feet

So I'll be of good courage for You have overcome
You will not forsake me so I wait upon You Lord

So I'll be of good courage for You have overcome
You will not forsake me so I wait upon You Lord

You are, You are my God.

Here’s Asbury’s Bible commentary about Psalm 23: “In Psalm 23 the image of the royal shepherd unites the entire work. No lowly peasant shepherd here, this is Yahweh, the King, in the figure of Shepherd as known since earliest days in the ancient Near East and frequently in the prophets' hope for the mighty David to rule after the Exile. This Shepherd has the resources, authority, power, and goodness to supply life's deepest needs; to rescue from death and guide through mortality; to judge and vindicate lavishly in the presence of foes; and to offer unending bliss by His very presence.”

Tricia and Nick co-wrote six of the songs and carefully selected five cover songs to record for the album, including the lead single “You Are My Shepherd,” which was co-written by Jennie Lee Riddle and Jonathan Lee. The song is a great example of the cohesive theme of the album, which is about trusting in God’s plans for your life regardless of circumstances.

Tricia and Nick have walked through that valley that “You Are My Shepherd” references from Psalm 23, having lost their first baby as Tricia recently shared in a recent blog post. http://www.alovelierplace.blogspot.com/2011/05/his-mercies-are-new.html. My wife and I have been blessed with three young daughters, yet we also lost a baby after our first daughter was born and my heart really goes out to Tricia and Nick and any family who has suffered that pain. This entire album has songs that bless and heal me as a listener.

The Road by Tricia Brock is my top inspirational worship album of the year thus far. I fully expect this great album to be nominated for several GMA awards, including inspirational album, female vocalist and inspirational song, “You Are My Shepherd.”

This is the most moving album I’ve heard this year and I can’t get enough of the standout worshipful songs “Lean”, “You Hear”, “The Altar”, “Impossible” and the gorgeous closing track “Broken For Love’s Sake.” Do yourself a favor and buy this album immediately. You’ll be refreshed, nourished, encouraged and ‘lean’ on God for your strength. This album reminds us that the pain of this world is temporary and to live for Heaven. Amen.