There are songs you hear to in the background while you're doing other things and then there are those rare songs that make you stop what you're doing and really listen to the message in the music. "The Basement" by Joseph Habedank is one of those rare songs. "The Basement" is more than just lyrics and a melody, it's Joseph's life, his story.
Joseph, a two-time Grammy nominated, three-time GMA Dove Award winning, five-time fan-voted Soloist of the Year and ten year member of one of gospel music's favorite groups, The Perrys, wasn't always living the good kind of high life. During a tour in 2008, he developed an ulcer in his throat and became addicted to opioid pain medication which turned into a years long battle. While struggling with his addiction, he met his wife Lindsay. She stood by him and together with a lot of love, determination, strength and God's help, they worked through day after emotional day of this storm until Joseph connected with MusiCares who helped get him into Cumberland Heights, a recovery center in Nashville, on June 8, 2013 - 5 years into his battle, paid for his treatment and now here he is, celebrating his 10th year of sobriety and he's better than ever.
If you have never listened to this man's music, it will change you. It will affect you from the inside out. He doesn't sing a word that hasn't personally affected his life in some way and this song is the truth of so many people. His words will affect your life. He also has one of the most beautiful voices.
"The Basement" is currently available with his other great music on most digital services for streaming and download. Joseph is currently on tour, so check out the dates below and I highly recommend catching a show. You won't leave his show the same person who walked in.
If you know someone who is currently struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse Hotline at 800-662-4357 and help them get the assistance they need.
"THE BASEMENT"
Written By: Joseph Habedank, Michael Farren, Tony Wood
On any given Sunday, the saints are in the pews
They sing their songs and say, "Amen" as the preacher brings good news
They gather round the altar and call on Jesus' name
He never fails to meet them there, lives are always changed
But on any given Thursday night, down a creaky flight of stairs
Through a door that never shuts just right in some worn-out folding chairs
There's a different kind of desperate most folks never see
And if you think what happens upstairs is amazing
Wait until you see what He's been doing in the basement
There ain't a lot of shouting, much less suits and ties
Cheap coffee and the smell of smoke, some coming off a high
"Hello, my name is so-and-so" ... "Hello, we're glad you came"
And just like that, this worn-out room becomes a holy place
'Cause on any given Thursday night, down a creaky flight of stairs
Through a door that never shuts just right, in some worn-out folding chairs
There's a different kind of desperate most folks never see
And if you think what happens upstairs is amazing
Wait until you see what He's been doing in the basement
If you've never seen a miracle, I can tell you where they meet
I know at least a dozen and you know one now
'Cause you know me
On any given Thursday night, down a creaky flight of stairs
Through a door that never shuts just right, in some worn-out folding chairs
There's a different kind of desperate most folks never see
And if you think what happens upstairs is amazing
Yeah, we all know what happens upstairs is amazing
But wait until you see what He's been doing in the basement
