- published: 08 Jun 2015
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Philip Joel Urry (born January 5, 1973) is a musician known as a solo artist in addition to being the former bassist for the Christian rock group Newsboys. He uses the name Phil Joel professionally due to pronunciation issues with his surname.
Phil Joel was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He was lead singer and guitarist in the popular New Zealand band Drinkwater.
Though he had little experience with the instrument, the Newsboys offered him a position as bassist in August 1994. He said at the time, "I already know how to play a guitar with six strings, four should be a cinch." He also sang background and some lead vocals for the band.
In June 2000, Phil Joel released his first solo album, Watching Over You, on Inpop Records. This release is largely autobiographical, and of experiences with missions work in Third world countries. He supported this album with the Strangely Normal Tour accompanied by LaRue, Luna Halo, Earthsuit, V*enna & Katy Hudson (now known as Katy Perry). His second solo album, Bring It On, was released in November 2002 also on Inpop. His third album, The deliberatePeople. was released on November 18, 2005 in conjunction with Phil Joel and Heather Joel's newly founded Christian ministry, deliberatePeople. The album was praised for its stripped down rock, reminiscent of the Jesus Music era of Christian Music.
Feel the flames in the moonlight
Feel the warmth from the campsite
There is no reason to fear
No one's alone here
Memories never stray too far
West coast summers, our first cars
We were kings, this was our kingdom
But like soldiers to war we were sent
So many things called us away
And I saw the tail lights fade
Watch you walking away
It's driving me crazy
It's my generation
Watch you walking away
It's driving me crazy
It's my generation
Feel the flames in the moonlight
Growing up, our spirits so high
We had the fire and we felt the same
How did things get so strange?
Fuel the fire, gotta fan the coals
What will become of our souls?
Better to look a fool and still say this
Close your eyes to the world's infatuations
You know the truth