Tim Be Told
Pronouns: he/him
Tim Be Told (AKA Tim Ouyang) is a recording artist, producer and songwriter.
After publicly coming out in 2017, Tim watched his music career and personal life collapse. Shortly after the story broke, the denomination of his church forced him to step down from leading worship.
Tim decided to take a break from his career and spent the next 3 years writing songs for his 5th full length album, “Love and Happiness” which was released on June 19, 2020.
Today, Tim Be Told resides in the California Bay Area and has amassed a devoted fan base and a large catalogue of music. Tim has had the honor of performing the national anthem for NBA champions, The Golden State Warriors. He produced and wrote for legendary 106 and Park rapper and actor, MC Jin.
He wrote the song ”Secrets” for Grammy award winning gospel artist, Israel Houghton. The performance of the song was nominated for an Emmy in 2019.
Instagram handle @timbetold
“Watching Over You”
Track No. 3 — 4:14
In childhood, Tim asked his straight friends if they ever doubted God’s love for them. “Never,” they said. And yet, Tim had experienced doubt, and he knew that other queer people of faith had experienced it, too. “Love” can mean so many things to those who’ve been hurt by their beloveds.
“To queer people,” says Tim, “and especially for queer people traumatized by a certain brand of faith community, God can feel exacting and like a disciplinarian.” To Tim, our perceptions of God are often shaped by our encounters with love, especially parental or familial love.
He set out, therefore, to create this moving ballad for all those who’ve ever doubted. In channeling what God’s love could look like, he draws inspiration from his own loving relationship with his godson and nephews. “What if my kid were struggling?” Tim asks. “That humanized God for me. When you hear that God is a father, especially if you had an imperfect father, you can’t identify. If my kids were going through something, I’d love them no matter what.”
For Tim, this song was also a chance to retell his past. In it, God looks back on past experiences of hurt and says, “When you lost your way, little one, I knew; I was watching over you.” God traces the journey you’ve taken together and says to you: and look there. Even there, I was with you.
Song credits:
Written by: Tim Ouyang / Vocals, Piano: Tim Ouyang / Vocal Arrangement: Andy Delos Santos / Background Vocals: Andy Delos Santos, Eric Lige, Julia Nicole Carbajal, Anne Marie Ceralvo / Guitars, Synth: Colin Althaus / Produced by: Tim Ouyang / Mixed by: Colin Althaus / Digital Mastered by: Sam Moses / Vinyl Mastered by: David Walton at Coalesce Audio
Lyrics
Watching Over You
by Tim Be Told
When they made you bow your head in shame
When they justified it in my name
When the lions fed and the wolves were through
I was watching over you
And I saw the bruises on your face
Someone told you you should know your place
When you split your heart just to hide the truth
I was watching over you
And I heard it when you called for help
Underneath the sky that fell
When you lost your way little one I knew
I was watching over you
I will love you even if you stray
You are more than just your worst mistakes
And your darkest secrets I forgave them too
I was watching over you
And I heard it when you called for help
Underneath the sky that fell
When you lost your way little one I knew
I was watching over you
Everytime you thought I didn’t care
Even silence is an answered prayer
Everytime you wept I was weeping too
I was watching over you
And no matter what the devil steals
One day all these wounds will heal
And the road is hard but I'll get you through
I was watching over you
And I heard it when you called for help
Underneath the sky that fell
When you lost your way little one I knew
I was watching over you
Check out more of Tim Be Told music at timbetold.com