My mother was a music teacher. Music filled our home, always. Swing, pop, country, opera, jazz; there was always something playing at the Bishop house. We made a lot of the music ourselves, too, and it wasn't at all uncommon for any gathering of friends or relatives to turn into a songfest. And so it is with some authority that I can say that some of the most uplifting, inspirational songs in the world are found in Broadway musicals.

Every big Broadway hit is basically about overcoming obstacles, falling in love, making a mark, or conquering the world, and every successful score has at least one big song dealing with one or more of those topics. "Till There Was You" has everything. It comes from The Music Man, a movie that featured both the great Robert Preston and an adorable, lisping little Ronny Howard, pre-Opie. It's got a sweet, lilting melody I frequently find myself humming. It's got a surprisingly powerful lesson hidden in the lyrics: Goodness and happiness surrounds us, if only we can open our eyes to it. Best of all? It was covered by The Beatles. The Beatles! Their 1963 version of Till There Was You is a perfect love song, and every time it comes up on my iPod, I break out in a grin, sing along, then flip it back and play it again. And sometimes again.

LYRICS:

There were bells on the hill
But I never heard them ringing,
No, I never heard them at all
Till there was you.
There were birds in the sky
But I never saw them winging
No, I never saw them at all
Till there was you.
And there was music,
And wonderful roses,
They tell me,
In sweet fragrant meadows of dawn, and dew.
There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No, I never heard it at all
Till there was you!

Only The World
MANDISA
Album: True Beauty

Mandisa Lynn Hundley, or as she is known by her millions of fans as simply "Mandisa", became an instant celebrity in the fifth season of America Idol. She captivated America with her winning smile and powerful vocals. Her first full-length album entitled "True Beauty" was released on July 31, 2007 and debuted at #1 on the Top Christian Album charts. Now her fans have turned to K-LOVE radio to hear the latest from Mandisa.

'More than just a career, I really want to have a ministry that has an impact on people,' Mandisa declares. She is definitely making an impact with songs such as "Only The World" and lyrics such as this:

The heart of the song "Only The World" is found in the following words:

There ain't no way I'm giving in
'Cause it's only the world
I know the best is still yet to come
'Cause even when my days in the world are done
There's gonna be so much more than only the world for me

Listen to Mandisa on K-LOVE in Tucson at 88.1FM and you'll hear other positive and encouraging songs from David Crowder Band, Steven Curtis Chapman, and MercyMe!

Find more on K-LOVE online at www.KLOVE.com.

Listen to Marty Bishop weekdays
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on MIXfm 94.9