Music Mondays: Arresting Lyrics - Miscellaneous Edition

So while the previous posts in this series have been categorized by groups, early on I knew there were a bunch of singular songs that were all powerful. This is a mix of Christian and secular music that I find emotionally profound.

7. "How can I stand here with you, and not be moved by you?" - Everything, Lifehouse.

This is a line that is repeated several times as part of the chorus of this apparently slow ballad. It turns on a dime into a rock anthem at the four minute mark. It is at that point with the bridge "You're all I want, you're all I need. You're everything. Everything" that this charming lyric you'd heard over and over hits another level.

6. "If his grace is an ocean, we're all sinking." - How He Loves, David Crowder Band

Much attention was given to the mini-controversy regarding the changing of the original lyrics from "sloppy wet kiss" to "unforseen kiss". That unfortunately takes away from a genius metaphor that the original writer, John Mark McMillan, penned in this line. I'm hard pressed to think of a better description of God's matchless, infinite, amazing grace.

5.  "I am brave, I am bruised. I am who I'm meant to be. This is me." - This is me, The Greatest Showman

There are other parts of this song I could include. But after watching the vocalist "get arrested" herself by this line. I have to go with that. This song lends itself to being adopted by a whole host of people groups. I personally find it a worthy expression of how we all are made in the image of God and have inherent worth, value, and beauty.

4. "No one else in history is like you. And history itself belongs to you" - Jesus, Lover of My Soul, Passion

One of the great overlooked worship songs of this century, it has always resonated with me because of it's simple approach and honest expression of surrender. And this line is a reminder that our Savior is the Alpha and Omega, Lord of all history.

3. "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart, oh take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above." - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

I'm pretty sure this is the first song and first line to ever "catch me" emotionally. I think that line has convicted thousands of Christians over the years because it forces us to recognize our battle with our flesh. Unless your church tradition is liturgical, confession like this is probably unusual for you to express within musical worship.

2. "There's a grace too powerful to name...Forgiveness. Can you imagine?" - "It's Quiet Uptown" - Hamilton

Ok, I'm cheating a little on this one. Early on in the song they mention "there's suffering too terrible to name", as the song (and story) progresses, there is "grace too powerful to name". And then as the Hamilton's reconcile, the Chorus singers remark - "Forgiveness. Can you imagine". Maybe I'm out in left field but ever since the first time I heard the song, I've been convinced that the grace too powerful to name actually is named - Forgiveness.

I was fully aware of the legendary status of the Hamilton play since it hit Broadway. I'm not a musical guy really so I didn't make a point to purchase super-expensive tickets 6 months in advance to go see a show in a distant city. I was aware of the basic subject matter and story. But when I finally watched it this summer, it was this narrative turn that hit me right in the feels. I won't fully spoil all the details, needless to say that there is something gloriously Christlike in the conclusion of the play. And much of it embodied by this song.  I also have to agree with the Youtube video that described this song as compelling it's audience to "ugly cry". That pretty much was my experience.

1. "And we will come back home, home again!" - From Now On - The Greatest Showman

I love this song for two reasons really. It's a rousing conclusion to a musical movie that I was surprisingly entertained by. P.T. Barnum has come to the end of his rope and realizes what is truly important.  I also like how easy it is to co-opt into a spiritual song about our hope of eternity. In a generic way, Barnum's character arc reflects the redemptive arc all Christ-followers experience both with their salvation and their daily walks. And we can all look expectantly ahead when we will be Home. I did find a few "Christianized" videos of this song literally being co-opted by youth groups and the like, which sort of makes me roll my eyes. That fact notwithstanding, I still appreciate the spiritual notes lying beneath the surface. 

Music Mondays - Best Covers Ever

I was recently in a conversation where some friends remarked "we don't watch musicals", admitting those just aren't their thing. 

I would typically say the same thing. Except, I really liked Les Mis. And man if the hype around "The Greatest Showman" didn't prove to be well founded. 

So this week's cover is more or less an excuse to feature one of the really good songs from that movie. 

Here's This is Me covered by a Chicago youth choir called "Musicality".

Btw, here's an incredible rehearsal performance by movie cast that according to later interviews, was the moment when actress/singer Keala Settle really embraced her role. 

Music Mondays

Last night, despite the ongoing NCAA Tournament and The Walking Dead's latest episode, my wife and I made TV time for "The Passion" on FOX, presented by Tyler Perry.

It was a re-telling of the Passion Week, following Jesus and his disciples through the many difficulties of that historic period of time. It recast those events in a more modern setting and incorporated modern pop music to reflect the events and the emotions of the characters.

I found it to be a well-produced, decent depiction of the Biblical story. The mix of what seemed to be recorded segments with live performances and narration seemed a bit disjointed, but I'm not an expert TV critic. It wasn't an overly powerful show, but it did a fair job accomplishing what it was shooting for.

The final song was the show's high point however. The song choice, "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry, was perfect and its connection to the Resurrection and the Gospel was on point as was the performance. 

If you're interested in the specific events of the Passion Week, let me shamelessly plug my sermon from yesterday as we looked at each day, Sunday through Thursday.

Music Mondays: Christmas Musical Edition

Our Kid's Choir performing their opening number last night.

Normally we don't have services on Sunday nights. But last night we made our annual exception. 

For several months, our Kid's Choir and Adult Helpers have been preparing diligently to put on their "Wrapping All the Way" Christmas musical. It was a program filled with creative songs that help share the true reason we celebrate this holiday.

There was a lot of plot drama, fun choreography, enthusiastic singing, 'rapping', puppetry, unplanned surprises, and even a couple of small confetti cannons that helped the play end with a literal 'bang'.

We capped the night off with a Christmas dessert in our gym featuring many delicious cookies and salty snacks. Our minds were filled with catchy songs and our bellies filled with tasty treats. All in all in was a great night.

You can Youtube "Wrapping All the Way musical" and find different interpretations of the same play. But for this video, I thought I would simply share a sampler of the songs that I found online.  I will warn you though, the songs got stuck in my head to the point that I found myself humming along twice this morning to two different selections.