I already loved this song when Josh Grobin sang it. I have to say that Paul out does Josh on this song. He has such a beautiful/strong voice. I have the It's Entertainment video and he does an amazing job singing this song.

My first time commenting on this great new site and of course it had to be on Paul's forum.
Last time I wrote, I had not seen the full version of "You Raise Me Up", but now that I have the DVD I am so in love with Paul's version of that song, I play it over and over as I do on the CD. I have loved Paul from the first time I saw and heard him and that has never diminished.
Paul has a wonderful God given talent but he worked many years at perfecting it and he keeps getting better all the time.
Thank You Sharon and Phil for giving him to us!

Has anyone heard/seen the version of "You Raise Me Up" by Selah? It's quite different (contemporary Christian music style mixed with a celtic style), and I'm not sure I totally like it. It was the first version I ever heard, though, and I liked it at the time. Of course, NO ONE can hold a candle to Paul's version. His is not even in the same league!

pattiann, you are right about the emotion Paul put into the song. I never really cared for it and frankly when I saw it was in the program instead of She, I was disappointed. However, as soon as Paul started singing I was completely drawn into it in a way I had never been before. By the time he was finished and the crowd was on their feet, I literally had tears streaming down my face.

He touched the entire audience with that song not only because it is a great song for a tenor, but because he gave an emotional performance. I can't wait to hear it again this fall.

JoJo, like you I know I've already commented in this thread, but after listening to the sample of Paul singing "You Raise Me Up" about a jillion times today I feel compelled to post again.

I have always been a sucker for a "singer" from the first time I heard Frank Sinatra. My tastes are wide-ranging, from the afore mentioned Mr. Sinatra, thru Elvis (in his glory days), to Rod Stewart (from Maggie Mae thru his Classics collections).

I've followed all the major singers of the last 50 years, and heard most of them in person. When I first heard Paul sing on the DVD, I was quite impressed with him, but nothing, and I mean nothing, could prepare me for hearing him in person for the first time. The sheer power of his voice is overwhelming, but the amount of emotion he brings to his songs is what makes him truly great.

His power and phrasing is perfectly shown off in this song. I felt all the things you described in your post, and literally had tears in my eyes 1/2 way through the song. I agree that he could have stayed on stage for however long he wanted and the audience would not have quit applauding his performance. It was simply perfection.

Oh.... Paul... *sighs*

I've probably already commented on this thread... I don't care, I'm doing it again... this song KNOCKED ME OUT. Completely. I mean, I am already "in love" with Paul... that's his job... to make you fall in love with him. And he makes it OH SO EASY...

So when he started singing this song, I was already "Oh... that's so beautiful"... and it is... it's tender, it's soft but controlled, you lean forward so you don't miss a single note, a single word... and you sigh and just think... well... *sigh*

And then... and then... when you are leaning forward in your seat, really just wanting to enfold yourself in his arms because it's just THAT BEAUTIFUL.

BAM!!!! He breaks into that ending chorus... and you are thrown BACKWARDS into your seat, and can do nothing but sit there with your mouth gaping, open... you forget to breathe... the sheer power that Paul embodies in that is breathtaking! It's amazing! It's... it's... WOW.

And there is nothing you can do when it's over BUT jump to your feet and cheer and yell and applaud. Because THAT PERFORMANCE deserves every bit of appreciation you can communicate from your seat. If Paul had stayed on the stage for 10 minutes, I would have clapped that long. He. Was. Amazing.

And if you don't think so, you're not listening!

When I saw Paul do the song in Waukegan, it seemed as if he was genuinely surprised at the emotional and long-lasting response from the audience. Everyone was on their feet before that last note was finished, and Paul finally had to exit the stage before the audience sat down.

And yes, hobbyt, I adore Paul as well.

This was me, too (minus the part about Paul and Sharon knowing ). I've always been pretty indifferent to the song, but the first time I saw "Take Me Home" on PBS, I was just floored. I really don't know what it is about Paul's performance of this song that's so striking, but I can't get enough of it. Seeing it live in Seattle in November will be incredible!

I LOVE this song. I though the song was over-done and heard it way too many times, but Paul definitely added something new to it. I must say at first I was doubtful that Paul could sing it better than Josh Groban. But after watching the program twice, I had made up my mind, it was totally Paul. Even my mom likes Paul's version better and she's a huge Josh fan and I though it was hard to beat. Paul gives something special to the song. He gives it more passion and feeling than any version I have heard before. It just leaves me breathless. GO PAUL!

Paul's rendition of "you raise me up" is so amazing. while i was watching it at my concert i did not realize it but i kept leaning farther and farther forward, (actually fell off my chair)...but truly, i could listen to him sing that song for hours. after his performance everyone was standing up and clapping for the longest time (i was probably one of the last people to sit down!)

I think she saw the whole thing. These are her words exactly:

OMG I can't imagine anyone saying that Paul's version of you raise me up is "Horrible".
R u kidding me it was amazing< dude seriously>
He sung the song unbelieavably, I was left speechless.
Paul is amazing

Tangy: What is wrong with your friend god take them to the fall tour and make em sit down when paul is singing you raise me up its so much better live the hole house was on tehre feet when i went to the spring show so yeah your friend doesnt know what they are talking about *i think i made my point*

Hobbyt, your description of Paul's "You Raise Me Up" was beautiful. I was also deeply moved when Paul sang this song which never has been a favorite of mine, but I'm guessing that is because I'm not a Josh Grobin fan either. Paul's version was so powerful that I literally had chills up to my eyeballs, and of course that lead to a fair amount of tears to follow.

Coincidentally I am watching the reruns of the "Search for Joseph" contest that was held in England last year, and on the last episode Josh Grobin made an appearance and sang that song. I am even more convinced now that he should never sing it again because he can't even come close to the powerful performance by Paul.

I can't wait to get the new DVD and CD with that song on it. Of course it won't be as good as hearing it in person, but I'm also hoping to see the show several times this fall.

Just sitting here reading the reviews of "You Raise Me Up" and the way you described it Hobby, I am sitting here crying.
I did not get to see the spring tour but will not miss the fall tour for anything.
To me, Paul has the perfect voice for whatever he sings.

jeannie

Friday night March 27th I attended the Celtic Thunder concert in Columbia, SC. The show as brilliant as always. But, as Paul began this song - You Raise Me UP, I was sure I would just enjoy it. It has never been a song I choose to hear. I knew the song was a tribute to the military and for that, I was glad to listen and appreciate the song’s intent.

Paul sang the song beautifully, as always, but I saw with it two parts. The first part was reverential, almost like a prayer to the people for the soldiers, to remember them as they are, were and will be when they return. I actually watched the scrim more during this part and meditated about my friends who have been serving our country during this past war.
I have a friend who was in Iraq last year working with the Department of Justice helping to rebuild the legal system of Iraq, in the US, he is a judge and lawyer he was a civilian working with the Iraqi government and our government to overcome what was once there.

My other friend, and coworker, is currently over there now with an engineering detachment, helping to rebuild or in some cases construct from scratch the country’s infrastructure. When he returns home, he will resume his work in land development as a Professional Engineer in transportation. Both have also worked in Afghanistan doing much the same thing they did in Iraq.

While these are not the majority of the men and women overseas fighting this war, they have and are fulfilling an important role in rebuilding the countries torn apart by war and conflict. When Paul turned to face the Scrim, or it could have been Barry playing his instrument, I choked up. It was so reverential and a memorial to those who have been lost in this war. I began to cry, and I am NOT a big crier.

When Paul turned back to the audience for his finish with the Crescendo all eyes were on him. The sense that the theme of the song had changed from prayerful to a celebration was very distinct to me. With his voice Paul seemed to evoke the sense that this thing, LIFE, was so much bigger than the here and now. For me, this part of the song became a celebration for our future. We raise up those who come next. Be it through parenting, prayer, friendship, love, support, kind words, you name it we need to be doing it. We the people of now, the soldiers of now, the non-combat people serving our country of now are to build a better future for those who come next.

For me while the song began as a prayer for meditation and tribute it ended as a celebration of life and for what is to come next.

Paul’s rendition will forever have this impact on me. I actually like the song now. It was a blessing to be there to see him perform this song; it made my whole evening. I only wish those overseas could be as blessed as we were that night.

So if you get the chance.....check out Celtic Thunder, they are currently on tour and could be coming to a city near you. They will also be touring most of the US in the fall, I am sure and I hope this song is still in repretoire. For those who have seen Celtic Thunder before, take tissue.

Paul... your rendition of "You Raised Me Up" brought tears to my eyes!! I thouroughly enjoyed your performance and hope to hear/see it again in the future. You seemed thrilled with the reaction of the Waukegan audience as we stood up to show you how much we appreciate your fabulous voice!! It was one of my favorite parts of the concert!! Thank you for such a heartfelt performance!!!

Paul you sang this song so beautifully-------you make us all in awe of you and your wonderful voice - thanks so much :!: :!: :!: You bring us all to our feet - great job!

Paul, you sang this song astoundingly phenomenal in Sydney!!!

I loved this song, so when I heard that Paul would be singing it for the spring tour, I was very excited. When I heard him sing it, I was in awe. Paul's voice is perfect for the song and I LOVED his version! It was absolutely amazing!!!

I have one word for his rendition: PERFECT! This song is now on my top favorite 4 of their new songs. He's an amazing singer, and not many men can belt like he can. =] Thumbs Up Paul!

Paul was amazing performing "You Raise Me Up". The song is beautiful but hearing Paul sing this truly made you stop breathing - you did not want to miss one note. He had us on our feet!!!!!! This has now become my favorite song that he does :mrgreen: