Praise | 5ive Songs

1. 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.

2. 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 a number of different ways. Carrie Underwood opts for balladry on this Ludwig van Beethoven, 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.

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3. 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.

4. 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!

5. Mary Mary, “Shackles (Praise You)

Thankful • Sony BMG Entertainment • 2000

We close this praise-driven edition of 5ive songs with Grammy-winning contemporary gospel duo 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.”

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