11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise | Playlist

11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise features BRELAND, Carrie Underwood, Kanye West, Marvin Gaye & Natalie Grant.

“P

raise is what I do / When I want to be close to you / I lift my hands in praise.” Say that, say that Shekinah Glory Ministry ( “Praise is What I Do”)! As for Grammy nominee Marvin Sapp, he asserts that “Praise will confuse the enemy” and because God has “given me a second chance,” urges us all to “Praise Him in Advance” .  Years earlier, Kirk Franklin asserts on “Praise Joint (Remix)” “Anybody that knows somebody, if ya got deliverance / Get up and tell everybody, get ya praise on!” #Nu Nation Project!

While all three examples were religious, not all 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise are religious – or that religious at least! But as we all know, praise is often tied with religion, spirituality, and specifically, G-O-D. 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise features praises courtesy of BRELAND, Carrie Underwood, Kanye West, Marvin Gaye, and Natalie Grant among others. So, we have some Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), country, rap, and soul. That’s well-rounded in my mind! So, get prepared to send your praises up on 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise !!!

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1. BRELAND, “Praise the Lord” (Ft. Thomas Rhett)

“Praise the Lord” • Bad Realm / Atlantic • 2022

“Praise the Lord for southern women, Hemi engines, crispy chicken.” Um, sure, BRELAND – if you say so!  The black country musician represents a new breed of country music.  Is it a bit polarizing? Perhaps, but if nothing else, he’s interesting. He collaborates with Grammy-nominated country standout Thomas Rhett on the laudatory “Praise the Lord”.  What else does BRELAND praise the Most High for? “East Atlanta, Country Grammar, and my nana.” Again, to him I say, sure…

The colorful chorus, excerpted above, is the first section of “Praise the Lord” the listener hears.  Next, BRELAND drops the first verse, which continues the praise.  It’s not all Christian of course, as he offers up praise “for my bartender, turns a single into two / We went crazy out there last night, we need saving in this pew.” JESUS!  Thomas Rhett enters the fray in the second verse, thankful for his children, his Chevrolet (of course), and “cold beer conversation and broken cowboy boots.” I guess that’s how they do it in country music!  The music supporting BRELAND and Rhett is bombastic, energetic, and a blend of hip-hop, pop, gospel, and country.  It is something to hear for sure! Tongue-in-cheek to the n^th degree, “Praise the Lord” is certainly entertaining if nothing else. 

 

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2. The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir & J.J. Wright, “Perfect Praise (Live)”(Ft. Chris Dingman, Emorja Roberson, Godwin Louis, Ike Sturm, Karen Schneider & Mark McLean)

Catch the Spirit (Live) • The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir • 2020

There are some songs that are truly PERFECT and never grow old.  One of those is the gospel classic, “Perfect Praise,” penned by Brenda Joyce Moore.  Sometimes referenced as “Jesus is Excellent,” this gem has been covered by numerous choirs and even arranged for marching band as well – AWESOME .  The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir and J.J. Wright deliver a truly excellent rendition, recorded live in 2020, which appears on their album, Catch the Spirit (Live).

What makes this version so excellent, you ask? The awesome lead vocals by Emorja Roberson is a huge selling point.  Of course, beyond his lead, the Folk Choir provides great supporting vocals, with the harmonies fully locked in, while the instrumentalists all shine in their respective roles.  You can tell just listening to this recording that this is indeed a favorite of the University choir – they do it justice.

Appears in :

• Perfect : 5ive Songs No. 74
• The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir, “Perfect Praise”: Sunday Refresh 1 (2021)
• 13 More Songs That Provide That Spiritual Refresh

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3. Carrie Underwood, “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”

My Gift • Capitol Nashville • 2020

“Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee / God of glory, Lord of love / Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee / Opening to the sun above.” “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” has been covered numerous times in several different ways. Carrie Underwood opts for balladry on this Ludwig van Beethoven, a praise-giving gem from her 2020 holiday album, My Gift.

Here, Underwood wows us with her beautiful voice, period.  She simply sings the song, preserving the melody, incredibly expressively.  This take isn’t characterized by its groove or its spiritually rousing vibes, but it does give you chills hearing that superb, country tone.  Furthermore, the production by Greg Wells is simple but definitely fitting.

Appears in :

• 10 Songs Filled with Considerable Joy
• Praise : 5ive Songs No. 24 (2021)

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4. Kem, “Praise”

Love Always Wins • Motown • 2020

“Do you wanna feel my love? / Hey, yay, lift up your praise.” Refined R&B singer/songwriter Kem (Kem Owens) remained classy and incredibly consistent on his fifth studio album, Love Always Wins, which arrived following a six-year hiatus. Among the highlights from Love Always Wins is the praise-worthy fifth track, “Praise.”

Within the context of the Love Always Wins, “Praise” keeps the momentum going strong.  The script is remains familiar:  classy, grown folks R&B that’s chill and pleasant to the nth degree.  “Praise” is totally inoffensive, features a catchy chorus, not to mention some of the most overt vocals we’ve ever heard from Kem during the final minute of the record.

Appears in :

• Praise : 5ive Songs No. 24 (2021)

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5. Natalie Grant, “Praise You in This Storm”

No Stranger • Curb • 2022

“I was sure by now / God, you would’ve reached down / And wiped our tears away / Stepped in and saved the day,” Natalie Grant sings on the relatable “Praise You in This Storm”, a Casting Crowns cover ( Lifesong, 2005). In the first verse of this gem from her 2020 album, No Stranger, Grant wonders why God hasn’t interceded on her behalf – good, reasonable question! Those of us who identify as Christian have been in a similar position where the road is quite rough, and our prayers have yet to be answered.  Grant continues this gorgeous, moving Contemporary Christian ballad singing, “But once again, I say ‘Amen’ / And it’s still raining.”

So, what Natalie is saying is, we continue to have faith and praise Him even when it seems it’s not working? THAT’S RIGHT! “Praise You in This Storm” suggests that even when “I barely her You [God] whisper through the rain,” I ALWAYS remain faithful.  That’s easier said than done but it’s important to have faith the size of a mustard seed, as ‘The Good Book’ says. Essentially, the Christian walk isn’t an easy one, even with God in your corner.  Grant makes it crystal clear on this soaring ballad sure to touch souls worldwide.

“And I’ll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

‘Cause You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I’ve cried

You hold in Your hands

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm.”

Appears in :

• Natalie Grant, “Praise You in This Storm”: Sunday Refresh 11 (2022)

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6. A$AP Rocky, “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” (Ft. Skepta)

Testing • RCA • 2018

 

Testing…1,2,3… testing…1,2,3… In the context of his third studio album, Testing, “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” gives A$AP Rocky a much-needed banger. He raps capably over banging percussion and fluty synths.  Amen, amen, amen! While Rocky’s on fire, it is Skepta that gets the best part of the record – the hook.

“I came, I saw, I came, I saw

I praise the Lord, then break, the law

I take, what’s mine, then take, some more

It rains, it pours, it rains, it pours.”

In addition to delivering the crowning achievement, Skepta also gets his own verse, as well as collaborating on the third verse with Rocky.  Praiseworthy? You bet!

Appears in :

• Praise : 5ive Songs No. 24 (2021)

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7. Kanye West, “Praise God” (Ft. Baby Keem & Travis Scott)

Donda • Getting Out Our Dreams II / Def Jam • 2021

“We gon’ praise our way out the grave, dawg / Livin’, speakin’, praise God / Walkin’ out the graveyard back to life / I serve, follow your word, see with new sight, into the night.” Woo! Few will dispute that Kanye West is great at making music – call him a musical genius if you wish. The question marks about West as his career has progressed haven’t been about his craft but about his many, um, idiosyncrasies.  Musically gifted or not, West is a polarizing man, period.  Regardless, his 10^th studio album, Donda, named after his late mom, Dr. Donda West, has some compelling moments (and NO SWEAR WORDS).  Among those moments is the praise-filled “Praise God.” 

“The devil my opp, can’t pay me to stop (It’s lit)

My God at the top.” 

On “Praise God,” Mr. West is assisted by Baby Keem and Travis Scott.  Call it a Christian rap banger, I guess!  Again, there are NO SWEAR WORDS (‘Oh man!’), though Keem’s colorful, extended verse features some edits .  Even with amended salty language, Keem is profound when he says, “Y’all treat the Lord and Savior like renters’ insurance, you know what I mean?” He has a valid point! Save for his chorus (excerpted above) and a few collaborative moments, West lets Keem and Scott do the heavy lifting.  He produces alongside Eric Sloan, The Twilite Tone, Ojivolta, MIKE DEAN, Zen Tachi, and 30 Roc.

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8. Josh Groban, “Celebrate Me Home”

Harmony • Reprise • 2020

On Harmony, Josh Groban serves up the praise-associated song, “Celebrate Me Home,” as the third track (NOTE: celebrate is a synonym for praise). On the beloved Kenny Loggins classic, there are a plenty of gospel-tinged cues and soulfulness in play.

No, Groban doesn’t supplant the original by Loggins or the memorable cover by Luther Vandross, but he definitely reminds us just how timeless the song is. Furthermore, that gospel choir backing him contributes to the chills experienced while listening.

Appears in :

• Praise : 5ive Songs No. 24 (2021)

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9. Mary Mary, “Shackles (Praise You)

Thankful • Sony BMG Entertainment • 2000

“Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance / I just wanna praise you / (What you wanna do?) / I just wanna praise you.” Say that, Mary Mary! We need to feel those encouraging vibes ala 2000 when y’all were incredibly Thankful unleashing “Shackles (Praise You).” Honestly, the chorus – the most memorable part of the record – sums things up perfectly.  God has been merciful and allowed Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell to break free from various things, so therefore, they want to give thanks and praise him. Even those who don’t ascribe to religion should be able dig the positive vibes.

“Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance

I just wanna praise you

(What you wanna do?)

I just wanna praise you

You broke the chains now I can lift my hands

(Feel me?)

And I’m gonna praise You

(What you gonna do?)

I’m gonna praise You.”

Appears in :

• 11 Intriguing Songs Associated with Chains (2021)
• Praise : 5ive Songs No. 24 (2021)

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10. Marvin Gaye, “Praise”

In Our Lifetime • Motown • 1981

“Baby, why don’t you / Just let your light come shining through?” On “Praise,” beloved soul icon Marvin Gaye balances romantic love and love for God. It’s interesting, to say the least.  The record appears on Gaye’s 1981 album, In Our Lifetime, the follow-up to the brilliant though commercially unsuccessful classic, Here, My Dear (1978).  Yes, Mavin Gaye is before my time (I was born a couple of years after his untimely death), but I feel like I know enough about him and his music. That said, I was unaware of this song or album… Worth noting, I even asked my parents, huge Marvin Gaye fans about the project and they were unaware of it…

Listening to the under-appreciated “Praise,” there’s plenty to like.  Like most of Gaye’s work, his voice oozes with soul – once in a lifetime.  Furthermore, the music grooves something fierce, with awesome production work that keeps that 1970s aesthetic is alive and well.  Yes, I realize this arrived in 1981, but you still hear shades of his (and soul’s) glory era.  As stated earlier, while it’s clear that Gaye is addressing a woman, he also leans on his faith, a theme that has appeared throughout his music:

“Oh, praise Him when you go to work

Praise Him when your feelings hurt

Praise Him when you’re feeling bad

…Praise Him by the love you give

Praise Him by the way you live

Praise Him even when you dance & make romance…”

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11. Richard Smallwood, “Total Praise”

Adoration • Zomba • 1996

“Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills / Knowing my health is coming from you.” Those are some powerful words penned by the great Richard Smallwood, a phenomenal gospel musician and composer.   “Total Praise” has become a standard worship song in many churches.  Why? It’s reverent sound, spiritually charged songwriting, gorgeous melodies, and lush, choral harmonies.  Truly, it sounds as if Mr. Smallwood intended all who perform “Total Praise” to take it to heart – truly believe and sell it.  “Total Praise” graces Smallwood’s 1996 album, Adoration, recorded live in Atlanta with Vision.

One of the best parts of this contemporary gospel classic is the chorus, which ‘breathes on you’ while being performed:

“You are the source of my strength

You are the strength of my life

I lift my hands in total praise to you.”

Man, oh, man, those are soul-stirring words and radiant music.  In addition to that marvelous section, the extended “Amen” section serves as the cherry on top.  As I’ve said many times of the entries in Sunday Refresh , even if you’re not chief amongst believers, you can appreciate the feels given off by “Total Praise.” It yields a special listening and spiritual experience.

Appears in :

• Richard Smallwood, “Total Praise”: Sunday Refresh No. 22 (2021)

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11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise [: Atlantic, Bad Realm, Brent Faulkner, Capitol Nashville, cottonbro, Curb, Def Jam, Getting Out Our Dreams II, Luis Quintero, Mikhail Nilov, Motown, The Musical Hype, The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir, Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels, RCA, Reprise, Ric Rodrigues,  Sony BMG Entertainment, Zomba]

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