AWESOME 1984 Gospel Song — Dion - Sweet Surrender

Today we get in the "way back machine" with a music-only video of Dion Dimucci's 1984 Gospel song, Sweet Surrender (found below).

Perhaps best know to most as simply Dion, the singer had a very successful music career beginning with his first doo-wop efforts with his group Dion and the Belmonts in the late 1950s — and then scored massive chart hits through the early 1960s with songs like Teenager in Love, Runaround Sue, and The Wanderer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dion_DiMucci

Dion In A 1963 Publicity Photo

Many may not know however — that while he was on his way to becoming an international star, touring the world with his music — the "squeaky clean teen idol" was using heroin from the age of 14 to 28 — ultimately becoming a full-blown addict.

God had better things in mind for Dion though — and he famously escaped  being killed "in the 1959 plane crash that took fellow pop idols Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Williams — in part because he didn’t want to spend $36 on a ticket."

"His first stint at getting clean came shortly after that near-miss."

https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ny-ent-demi-lotavo-dion-overdose-20180731-story.html




In an article about Dion's 1988 autobiography, Buddy Nevens writes

"Heroin was part of Dion's youth, part of the neighborhood scene long before he became famous. Dion snorted heroin early and was shooting up prior to forming the Belmonts.

By 1964, drugs had stopped Dion's career, halting all recording and causing him to miss shows. One day, high on LSD while drinking Scotch from a bottle, he decided to kill himself. Suddenly, he felt that God was telling him he had a reason to live.

Dion checked himself into a hospital and beat heroin addiction, only to become an alcoholic. He moved to Miami, where he put his problems in God's hands and licked alcoholism.

He signed a new record contract and recorded Abraham, Martin and John, which sold 3 million copies in 1968. Since then he has been playing his own folk songs and doing sold-out revival shows."

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-10-16-8803010019-story.html

A More Recent Photo Of Dion

After giving his life to Jesus, Dion became very vocal about his faith and began releasing a number of successful Gospel albums.

The lyrics to his 1984 song, Sweet Surrender (found under the video below) - trace the patterns in Dion's life - recounting desires for wealth and fame, and efforts to find happiness through the things the world offers — but finding only emptiness and pain.

Knowing that this man — who had achieved such success — was still left empty and wanting — adds to the powerful impact of this beautiful song's message.

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I pray as always that this music will Bless each listener and lead each of us to daily answer our Lord and Savior's gentle knocking at the door of our hearts — that we may walk in His ways and have fellowship with Him now and forever more!

Hebrews 12: 1B - 2

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If you don't already know Jesus as Lord—you can learn more about how to start your new life with Him below. ✝

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Lyrics are found under the video

Sweet Surrender - Lyrics

Lyrics and Music - Dion Dimucci

Thought I was bad and I had to get good
Thought I was smart but I misunderstood
Felt I was weak and I had to get strong
I was sure I was right then I found I was wrong

Thought I was lost and I had to get found
They called me a square so I tried to get round
Felt I was lazy and I had to get busy
Swore I was high but I was just plane dizzy

You see, but

Now I really know
Like I never knew before
The Lord come knockin'
And I finally opened up the door
No doubt about it

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
 (repeats)

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Totally, Totally!
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
You lift me higher
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Love how You're lovin' me
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
What can I do for You
Oh!  Sweet surrender!   

Felt I was bored so I made a switch
Thought I was poor and had to get rich
I was sure I was crazy and had to get sane
It wasn't enough so I changed my name

Thought my image needed a pat on the back
I thought my ego needed a Cadillac
There I was sitting in the drivers seat
I was feelin' low and still incomplete

But I said

Now I really know
No doubt about it
I never knew before
The Lord come a knockin'
And I finally opened up the door

Thank you Lord!
Thank you Lord!

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Lift me higher

Oh!  Sweet surrender!

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Amazing is Your Love
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
You make me happy

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
You know I finally stopped my runnin'
Oh!  Sweet surrender!   
Finally stopped my runnin'
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Don't have to run
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Know exactly who I am

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Laying back in Jesus arms

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Let it go!  Let it go!
Oh!  Sweet surrender!
Don't work our way to Heaven
Let it go!

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
He love you where you are

Oh!  Sweet surrender!
That's the Good News people!

Oh!  Sweet surrender! 
 
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Thanks for stopping by—
 
May God Richly Bless you!

Jesus is LORD!

Time is growing short!

Seek Him!

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✝   Romans 10:9-10

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

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If you've made this decision—believed it in your heart and confessed it with your mouth—let God speak to you by reading the Bible—and seek out fellowship with others who also believe.

Pour out your heart to God in Prayer (simply speaking to Him in reverence)—asking Him to reveal Himself to you and to provide for your needs.

Life in Jesus is the best decision you will ever make.

God Bless You!

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85 Bible Verses about Salvation