Al Green, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms | Music Lifts 🎶 🏋

In the 62^nd edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by Al Green performing, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”

Welcome to Music Lifts 🎶 🏋, a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 62^nd edition of Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 (2023), we highlight 🎵 “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” as performed by 🎙 Al Green.

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine / Leaning on the everlasting arms / What a blessedness, what a peace of mind [Note: peace is mine in the hymnal] / Leaning on the everlasting arms.” Ah, 🎵 “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” aka “What A Fellowship” – one of those truly great hymns of the church. 🎙 Al Green, firmly planted in gospel music post-Memphis soul, released this 🎼 ✍  Elisha Albright Hoffman (lyrics) + Anthony Johnson Showalter (music) penned hymn on his 1983 album, 💿 I’ll Rise Again. Keeping things short and sweet, Green’s take runs under three minutes.  Even so, the legendary musician gives this inspirational song a Memphis soul makeover.  Even four decades later, Green’s version remains fresh.

First and foremost, it is those marvelous, distinct vocals by the pastor that makes “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” superb.  His tone is truly anointed.  It’s easy to lean on every lyric Green sings, thanks to his incredible musicianship.  Al sings with ease. Even so, he is potent without ever forcing things.  Furthermore, it’s amazing how he infuses those soul chops into this beloved hymn.

“Leaning, leaning

Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning

Leaning on the everlasting arms.”

Beyond the pitch-perfect vocals and lyrics, the soulful backdrop makes “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” the ‘musical lift’ that it is.  The sound doubles as being characteristic of southern gospel, yet fits the Memphis soul aesthetic, which the reverend is best known for, from the 1970s.  🎵 “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” is an example of an ‘oldie’ that never, ever grows old. Both the performance, and the message, resound over and over and over!

🎙 Al Green • 💿 I’ll Rise Again • 🏷 Hi / Fat Possum • 📅 1983

Al Green, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 62 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Hi / Fat Possum; Hamid Tajik, Qamar Rehman, vansh mehta, Viridiana Rivera via Pexels]