Reading Time: 12 min read

๐ŸŽง 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise ๐Ÿ™Œ [๐Ÿ“ท: Brent Faulkner, cottonbro, Luis Quintero, Mikhail Nilov, The Musical Hype, Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels, Ric Rodrigues]๐ŸŽง 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise ๐Ÿ™Œ features BRELAND, Carrie Underwood, Kanye West, Marvin Gaye & Natalie Grant.

hallelujah

โ€œP

raise is what I do / When I want to be close to you / I lift my hands in praise.โ€ Say that, say that ๐ŸŽ™ Shekinah Glory Ministry (๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise is What I Doโ€)! As for ๐Ÿ† Grammy nominee ๐ŸŽ™ Marvin Sapp, he asserts that โ€œPraise will confuse the enemyโ€ and because God has โ€œgiven me a second chance,โ€ urges us all to ๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise Him in Advanceโ€ ๐Ÿ™Œ ๐Ÿ™Œ ๐Ÿ™Œ. ย Years earlier, ๐ŸŽ™ Kirk Franklin asserts on ๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise Joint (Remix)โ€ โ€œAnybody that knows somebody, if ya got deliverance / Get up and tell everybody, get ya praise on!โ€ #Nu Nation Project!

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amenWhile all three examples were religious, not all ๐ŸŽง 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise ๐Ÿ™Œ are religious โ€“ or that religious at least! But as we all know, praise is often tied with religion, spirituality, and specifically, G-O-D. ๐ŸŽง 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise ๐Ÿ™Œ features praises courtesy of ๐ŸŽ™ BRELAND, ๐ŸŽ™ Carrie Underwood, ๐ŸŽ™ Kanye West, ๐ŸŽ™ Marvin Gaye, and ๐ŸŽ™ Natalie Grant among others. So, we have some Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), country, rap, and soul. Thatโ€™s well-rounded in my mind! So, get prepared to send your praises up on ๐ŸŽง 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise ๐Ÿ™Œ!!!

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1. BRELAND, โ€œPraise the Lordโ€ (Ft. Thomas Rhett)

๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise the Lordโ€ โ€ข ๐Ÿท Bad Realm / Atlantic โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2022

BRELAND, โ€œPraise the Lordโ€ (Ft. Thomas Rhett) [๐Ÿ“ท: Bad Realm / Atlantic]โ€œPraise the Lord for southern women, Hemi engines, crispy chicken.โ€ Um, sure, ๐ŸŽ™ BRELAND โ€“ if you say so!ย  The black country musician represents a new breed of country music.ย  Is it a bit polarizing? Perhaps, but if nothing else, heโ€™s interesting. He collaborates with ๐Ÿ† Grammy-nominated country standout ๐ŸŽ™ Thomas Rhett on the laudatory ๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise the Lordโ€.ย  What else does BRELAND praise the Most High for? โ€œEast Atlanta, Country Grammar, and my nana.โ€ Again, to him I say, sureโ€ฆ

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

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

๐Ÿ’ฟ Catch the Spirit (Live) โ€ข ๐Ÿท The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 2020

The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir & J.J. Wright, Catch The Spirit (Live) [๐Ÿ“ท: The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir]There are some songs that are truly PERFECT and never grow old.ย  One of those is the gospel classic, ๐ŸŽต โ€œPerfect Praise,โ€ penned by ๐ŸŽผโœ Brenda Joyce Moore.ย  Sometimes referenced as โ€œJesus is Excellent,โ€ this gem has been covered by numerous choirs and even arranged for marching band as well โ€“ AWESOME ๐Ÿ‘.ย  ๐ŸŽ™ The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir and ๐ŸŽ™ J.J. Wright deliver a truly excellent rendition, recorded live in 2020, which appears on their album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Catch the Spirit (Live).

perfWhat makes this version so excellent, you ask? The awesome lead vocals by ๐ŸŽ™ Emorja Roberson is a huge selling point.ย  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.ย  You can tell just listening to this recording that this is indeed a favorite of the University choir โ€“ they do it justice.

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3. Carrie Underwood, โ€œJoyful, Joyful We Adore Theeโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ My Gift โ€ข ๐Ÿท Capitol Nashville โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 2020

Carrie Underwood, My Gift [๐Ÿ“ท: Capitol Nashville]โ€œJoyful, joyful, we adore Thee / God of glory, Lord of love / Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee / Opening to the sun above.โ€ ๐ŸŽต โ€œJoyful, Joyful We Adore Theeโ€ has been covered numerous times in several different ways. ๐ŸŽ™ Carrie Underwood opts for balladry on this ๐ŸŽผโœ Ludwig van Beethoven, a praise-giving gem from her 2020 holiday album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ My Gift.

tears of joyHere, Underwood wows us with her beautiful voice, period.ย  She simply sings the song, preserving the melody, incredibly expressively.ย  This take isnโ€™t characterized by its groove or its spiritually rousing vibes, but it does give you chills hearing that superb, country tone.ย  Furthermore, the production by ๐ŸŽ› Greg Wells is simple but definitely fitting.

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4. Kem, โ€œPraiseโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Love Always Wins โ€ข ๐Ÿท Motown โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 2020

Kem, Love Always Wins [๐Ÿ“ท: Motown]โ€œDo you wanna feel my love? / Hey, yay, lift up your praise.โ€ Refined R&B singer/songwriter ๐ŸŽ™ Kem (Kem Owens) remained classy and incredibly consistent on his fifth studio album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Love Always Wins, which arrived following a six-year hiatus. Among the highlights from Love Always Wins is the praise-worthy fifth track, ๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise.โ€

clapping emojiWithin the context of the Love Always Wins, โ€œPraiseโ€ keeps the momentum going strong.ย  The script is remains familiar:ย  classy, grown folks R&B thatโ€™s chill and pleasant to the nth degree.ย  โ€œPraiseโ€ is totally inoffensive, features a catchy chorus, not to mention some of the most overt vocals weโ€™ve ever heard from Kem during the final minute of the record.

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5. Natalie Grant, โ€œPraise You in This Stormโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ No Stranger โ€ข ๐Ÿท Curb โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 2022

Natalie Grant, No Stranger [๐Ÿ“ท: Curb]โ€œI was sure by now / God, you wouldโ€™ve reached down / And wiped our tears away / Stepped in and saved the day,โ€ ๐ŸŽ™ Natalie Grant sings on the relatable ๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise You in This Stormโ€, a ๐ŸŽ™ Casting Crowns cover (๐Ÿ’ฟ Lifesong, 2005). In the first verse of this gem from her 2020 album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ No Stranger, Grant wonders why God hasnโ€™t interceded on her behalf โ€“ 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.ย  Grant continues this gorgeous, moving Contemporary Christian ballad singing, โ€œBut once again, I say โ€˜Amenโ€™ / And itโ€™s still raining.โ€

hallelujahSo, what Natalie is saying is, we continue to have faith and praise Him even when it seems itโ€™s not working? THATโ€™S RIGHT! โ€œPraise You in This Stormโ€ suggests that even when โ€œI barely her You [God] whisper through the rain,โ€ I ALWAYS remain faithful.ย  Thatโ€™s easier said than done but itโ€™s important to have faith the size of a mustard seed, as โ€˜The Good Bookโ€™ says. Essentially, the Christian walk isnโ€™t an easy one, even with God in your corner.ย  Grant makes it crystal clear on this soaring ballad sure to touch souls worldwide.

โ€œAnd Iโ€™ll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

โ€˜Cause You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear Iโ€™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.โ€

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6. A$AP Rocky, โ€œPraise the Lord (Da Shine)โ€ (Ft. Skepta)

๐Ÿ’ฟ Testing โ€ข ๐Ÿท RCA โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 2018

 

A$AP Rocky, Testing [๐Ÿ“ท: RCA]Testingโ€ฆ1,2,3โ€ฆ testingโ€ฆ1,2,3โ€ฆ In the context of his third studio album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Testing, ๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise the Lord (Da Shine)โ€ gives ๐ŸŽ™ A$AP Rocky a much-needed banger. He raps capably over banging percussion and fluty synths.ย  Amen, amen, amen! While Rockyโ€™s on fire, it is ๐ŸŽ™ Skepta that gets the best part of the record โ€“ the hook.

fire sunglassesโ€œI came, I saw, I came, I saw

I praise the Lord, then break, the law

I take, whatโ€™s mine, then take, some more

It rains, it pours, it rains, it pours.โ€

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

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7. Kanye West, โ€œPraise Godโ€ (Ft. Baby Keem & Travis Scott)

๐Ÿ’ฟ Donda โ€ข ๐Ÿท Getting Out Our Dreams II / Def Jam โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 2021

Kanye West, Donda [๐Ÿ“ท: Def Jam]โ€œWe gonโ€™ praise our way out the grave, dawg / Livinโ€™, speakinโ€™, praise God / Walkinโ€™ out the graveyard back to life / I serve, follow your word, see with new sight, into the night.โ€ Woo! Few will dispute that ๐ŸŽ™ Kanye West is great at making music โ€“ call him a musical genius if you wish. The question marks about West as his career has progressed havenโ€™t been about his craft but about his many, um, idiosyncrasies. ย Musically gifted or not, West is a polarizing man, period.ย  Regardless, his 10th studio album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Donda, named after his late mom, Dr. Donda West, has some compelling moments (and NO SWEAR WORDS).ย  Among those moments is the praise-filled ๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise God.โ€ย 

โ€œThe devil my opp, canโ€™t pay me to stop (Itโ€™s lit)

My God at the top.โ€ย 

amenOn โ€œPraise God,โ€ Mr. West is assisted by ๐ŸŽ™ Baby Keem and ๐ŸŽ™ Travis Scott.ย  Call it a Christian rap banger, I guess!ย  Again, there are NO SWEAR WORDS (โ€˜Oh man!โ€™), though Keemโ€™s colorful, extended verse features some edits ๐Ÿ˜.ย  Even with amended salty language, Keem is profound when he says, โ€œYโ€™all treat the Lord and Savior like rentersโ€™ insurance, you know what I mean?โ€ 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.ย  He produces alongside ๐ŸŽ› Eric Sloan, ๐ŸŽ› The Twilite Tone, ๐ŸŽ› Ojivolta, ๐ŸŽ› MIKE DEAN, ๐ŸŽ› Zen Tachi, and ๐ŸŽ› 30 Roc.

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8. Josh Groban, โ€œCelebrate Me Homeโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Harmony โ€ข ๐Ÿท Reprise โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 2020

Josh Groban, Harmony [๐Ÿ“ท : Reprise]On ๐Ÿ’ฟ Harmony, ๐ŸŽ™ Josh Groban serves up the praise-associated song, ๐ŸŽต โ€œCelebrate Me Home,โ€ as the third track (NOTE: celebrate is a synonym for praise). On the beloved ๐ŸŽ™ Kenny Loggins classic, there are a plenty of gospel-tinged cues and soulfulness in play.

champagne cheersNo, Groban doesnโ€™t supplant the original by Loggins or the memorable cover by ๐ŸŽ™ 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.

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9. Mary Mary, โ€œShackles (Praise You)

๐Ÿ’ฟ Thankful โ€ข ๐Ÿท Sony BMG Entertainment โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 2000

Mary Mary, Thankful [๐Ÿ“ท: Columbia]โ€œTake the shackles off my feet so I can dance / I just wanna praise you / (What you wanna do?) / I just wanna praise you.โ€ Say that, Mary Mary! We need to feel those encouraging vibes ala 2000 when yโ€™all were incredibly ๐Ÿ’ฟ Thankful unleashing ๐ŸŽต โ€œShackles (Praise You).โ€ Honestly, the chorus โ€“ the most memorable part of the record โ€“ sums things up perfectly.ย  God has been merciful and allowed ๐ŸŽ™ Erica Campbell and ๐ŸŽ™ Tina Campbell to break free from various things, so therefore, they want to give thanks and praise him. Even those who donโ€™t ascribe to religion should be able dig the positive vibes.

clapping emojiโ€œTake 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 Iโ€™m gonna praise You

(What you gonna do?)

Iโ€™m gonna praise You.โ€

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10. Marvin Gaye, โ€œPraiseโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ In Our Lifetime โ€ข ๐Ÿท Motown โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 1981

Marvin Gaye, In Our Lifetime? [๐Ÿ“ท: Motown]โ€œBaby, why donโ€™t you / Just let your light come shining through?โ€ On ๐ŸŽต โ€œPraise,โ€ beloved soul icon ๐ŸŽ™ Marvin Gaye balances romantic love and love for God. Itโ€™s interesting, to say the least.ย  The record appears on Gayeโ€™s 1981 album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ In Our Lifetime, the follow-up to the brilliant though commercially unsuccessful classic, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Here, My Dear (1978). ย 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 albumโ€ฆ Worth noting, I even asked my parents, huge Marvin Gaye fans about the project and they were unaware of itโ€ฆ

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

โ€œOh, praise Him when you go to work

Praise Him when your feelings hurt

Praise Him when youโ€™re feeling bad

โ€ฆPraise Him by the love you give

Praise Him by the way you live

Praise Him even when you dance & make romanceโ€ฆโ€

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11. Richard Smallwood, โ€œTotal Praiseโ€

๐Ÿ’ฟ Adoration โ€ข ๐Ÿท Zomba โ€ข ๐Ÿ“… 1996

Richard Smallwood, Adoration [๐Ÿ“ท: Verity]โ€œLord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills / Knowing my health is coming from you.โ€ Those are some powerful words penned by the great ๐ŸŽ™ ๐ŸŽผโœ Richard Smallwood, a phenomenal gospel musician and composer.ย  ๐ŸŽต ย โ€œTotal Praiseโ€ has become a standard worship song in many churches.ย  Why? Itโ€™s reverent sound, spiritually charged songwriting, gorgeous melodies, and lush, choral harmonies.ย  Truly, it sounds as if Mr. Smallwood intended all who perform โ€œTotal Praiseโ€ to take it to heart โ€“ truly believe and sell it.ย  โ€œTotal Praiseโ€ graces Smallwoodโ€™s 1996 album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Adoration, recorded live in Atlanta with ๐ŸŽ™ Vision.

hallelujahOne of the best parts of this contemporary gospel classic is the chorus, which โ€˜breathes on youโ€™ while being performed:

โ€œYou are the source of my strength

You are the strength of my life

I lift my hands in total praise to you.โ€

Man, oh, man, those are soul-stirring words and radiant music.ย  In addition to that marvelous section, the extended โ€œAmenโ€ section serves as the cherry on top.ย  As Iโ€™ve said many times of the entries in Sunday Refresh ๐Ÿ™, even if youโ€™re not chief amongst believers, you can appreciate the feels given off by โ€œTotal Praise.โ€ It yields a special listening and spiritual experience.

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๐ŸŽง 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise ๐Ÿ™Œ [๐Ÿ“ท: 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,ย  Sony BMG Entertainment, Zomba]