Lanny Wolfe

Lanny Wolfe was born in 1942 in Columbus, Ohio. Lanny graduated from OSU in Columbus with a business degree. Lanny went on to become a teacher in high school, then in colleges. Eventually he found himself as the Dean of Music where he began writing and composing songs. Lanny formed the Lanny Wolfe Trio, composed of himself, his wife Marietta, and Dave Peterson.

This group, with his songs, became a great success, making 17 records, along with many musicals. He won SESAC’s Gospel Composer of the Year in 1975 and 1976. He has been nominated at least 8 times for GMA Gospel Songwriter of the Year, winning that Dove Award in 1984 for writing “More Than Wonderful”.

Lanny Wolfe is a teacher. He taught and also headed the music departments at several colleges, including Jackson College of Ministries, where he served as the Dean of Music from 1974 to 1993. This is where I knew him as a great teacher and choir director during my time as a student there.

Lanny Wolfe belongs to that group of Christian musical leaders that came out of the 1960’s. I include in this group other greats beside Lanny Wolfe; Bill Gaither, Andrae Crouch, and Edwin Hawkins. This group was responsible for introducing a modern, more sophisticated style of worship and praise music in churches. Before Lanny Wolfe and the others I mentioned, music in the church was mostly limited to hymns and old country-gospel stylings.

Lanny Wolfe was my first music icon. I loved his music, listening to his records that my mom would play when I was a kid. His music stood out from everything else. His was not composed of the typical chord progressions. He changed the way church music was composed and played; powerfully beautiful and soulful new chord movements, sometimes rhythmic, sometimes with a Jazz sound.

The subject of his lyrics include worship, fellowship, and many are sermonettes. I think of many of his songs as “alter call” songs, calling for a closer walk with God. Some are so introspective and whole-hearted that you find yourself pondering if you are able to be honest when singing along. For example, the chorus lyrics of Lanny’s song “Whatever it Takes”:

Whatever it takes to draw closer to you Lord
That’s what I’ll be willing to do
Whatever it takes to be more like you
That’s what I’ll be willing to do

Songs written by Lanny Wolfe:

Album:

No Valleys Tomorrow (1964)

• No Valley’s Tomorrow
• Don’t Turn God Away
• When The World’s On Fire
• All You Need To Do Is Reach Out
• Lord, Don’t Let Me Fail You
• The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow
• I Am Wholly Thine
• A Million Tomorrows
• They Call It Calvary
• What Would I Do
• Except For God’s Grace
• Have You Forgotten

There’s Something in the Air (1972)

• There’s Something In The Air
• Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your Soul
• A Wonderful Feeling
• Silent Cries
• Everywhere
• Then Why The Tears?
• I Just Want To Know (That You Still Love Me)
• Before I Found The Lord
• What If Someone Hadn’t Told Me About Jesus
• Jesus Could Have Come Yesterday
• The One Left Behind

Let’s Sing a Song About Jesus (1973)

• I Love Him Too Much (to fail Him now)
• Let’s Sing A Song About Jesus
• The Year When Jesus Comes
• A Little Taste of Heaven
• Greater is He That is In Me
• Only One Life
• Jesus Did It For Me
• The Weaver
• The Giving Song
• One Day Too Late

Come On’ Let’s Praise Him (1974)

• God’s Wonderful People
• Jesus Is Still The Answer
• Dawning Of A New Day
• There Is Just No Place Like Home
• Come On, Let’s Praise Him
• Jesus Will Be What Makes It Heaven For Me
• One Day Closer
• The Race
• You Can’t Go Back Now
• The Sounds Of His Coming

Shout It Jesus Is Coming (1975)

• Jesus Be The Lord Of All
• Jesus Made A Believer Out Of Me
• Whatever It Takes
• Someday I’ll Walk On Gold
• Jesus’ Love Has Made A Change
• Shout It, Jesus Is Coming
• The Party
• God’s Family
• I Keep Falling In Love With Him
• Let Them Know

A Brand New Touch (1976)

• A Brand New Touch
• I Feel Good
• A Beautiful Picture
• Thank You Lord For Giving Your Song
• When It’s All Said and Done
• Jesus, He Means All The World To Me
• I’m Gonna Be Gone
• There’s Something That’s Different About Him
• The Rock
• Someone Is Praying For You

Have A Nice Day With Jesus (1977)

• Have A Nice Day With Jesus
• Lord, I Want To Go Home
• I’ve Been Takin’ A Look At Jesus
• The Wind Is Blowin’ Again
• It Feels So Good Just Being Here Again
• I’m Gonna Love Him
• My House Is Full
• Look Out, Satan, Look Out
• In Everything Give Thanks

An Evening With The Lanny Wolfe Trio (1977)

• Here We Are Together Again
• God’s Family
• God’s Wonderful People
• I Keep Falling In Love With Him
• Surely The Presence Of The Lord Is In This Place
• Thank You Lord For Giving Your Songs To Me
• The Party
• A Little Taste of Heaven
• Jesus Be The Lord Of All
• The Rock
• A Brand New Touch
• Jesus’ Love Has Made A Change
• Undeserving
• Unworthy
• I Feel Good
• Shout It Jesus Is Coming!
• I’m Gonna Be Gone
• My House Is Full
• Whatever It Takes

Make A Joyful Noise (1979)

• It Feels So Good Just Being Here Again
• 2 Medleys of previously released songs
• I’ve Been Taking A Good Look At Jesus
• Head Over Heels
• Faces
• Born To Fly
• I Just Want To Know That You Still Love Me
• Withholding Nothing

Can’t Stop The Music (1980)

• Can’t Stop The Music
• The Beauty Of His Name
• I Have A Friend
• Just Because
• Precious Blood
• Jesus Made Me An Offer
• More Than Ever Before
• Fresh Touch Of Desire
• Stirred But Not Changed
• I’m Gonna Rise To Be With Jesus

Through The Years (1982)

• I Feel Good
• The Sounds Of His Coming
• I Keep Falling In Love With Him
• Surely The Presence Of The Lord Is In This Place
• Greater Is He That Is In Me
• Through The Years
• Head Over Heels
• There’s Something In The Air
• The Wind Is Blowin’ Again
• Precious Blood

Behold He Cometh! – live (1983)

• Come Together
• I Could Never Love Him Enough
• Can’t Stop The Music
• Precious Blood
• Behold He Cometh!
• Medley
• Don’t Take Your Love Away
• Oh That I May Know Him
• Truth Is Gonna Set You Free
• I Will Magnify The Lord

I’m Gonna Praise the Lord (1984)

• I’m Gonna Praise the Lord (Anyway That I Can)
• Sitting In Heavenly Places
• Happy Hour
• Miracles Still Happen
• Peace In Jesus
• Praise His Holy Name (Beethoven’s Song)
• Heaven, I Wouldn’t Miss It For The World
• Move Me With Compassion
• Get Right Or Get Left
• More Than Wonderful