Get Back: The Rooftop Performance
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Over Thanksgiving weekend 2021, Disney+ released Peter Jackson’s The Beatles Get Back. See my review here. In addition, there were special remix editions of the Beatles 1970 album Let It Be. Now, for the first time, the complete recording of the Beatles final concert appearance, recorded January 30, 1969 on top of the band’s Apple Corps headquarters in Central London, has been released on streaming sites as Get Back: The Rooftop Performance. Running a little more than thirty-eight minutes, the concert includes new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes by Giles Martin (son of Beatles producer George Martin), and Sam Okell, consists of ten tracks – “Get Back” (three versions), “Don’t Let Me Down” (two versions), “I’ve Got a Feeling” (two versions), “Dig a Pony”, “One After 909”, and a brief instrumental “God Save the Queen”. Three of the songs from the rooftop performance made it on to the original Let It Be album – “I’ve Got a Feeling,” “Dig a Pony,” and “One After 909.”
A film version of the rooftop concert was shown in select IMAX theatres January 30, and will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

• A review of Stand by the Newsboys
• Music News
• Song of the Week Lyrics – “Stand” by the Newsboys, featuring TobyMac

Stand – Newsboys
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I really enjoyed Newsboys UNITED, featuring former band members Peter Furler and Phil Joel. With Stand, the Newsboys move on with members Michael Tait, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein, and Jody Davis. The ten songs here give you what you exactly what would expect from the band – clean production, relatively short songs (the album clocks in at just 33 minutes), catchy hooks, backing vocals and simplistic, but encouraging lyrics.
Themes on the album include God not giving up on us and always coming through for us, Jesus doing the unexpected, believing God in difficult times, standing for God when trouble comes calling for us, not fearing, the blessings in our lives, and never being too far from a forgiving God.
Here are a few brief comments about each song:

Magnetic – This upbeat song was written by Michael Tait, AJ Pruis, Bryan Fowler and Micah Kuiper. It was produced by Kuiper, Pruis and Tedd T. The song features guitar, drums, bass, percussion, and backing vocals. The song is about how God will never give up on us.
Key lyrics:
But every time I’m in that fight
Your love keeps pullin’ me back, pullin’ me back
It’s magnetic

Ain’t It Like Jesus – This reggae influenced song was written by Michael Tait, Micah Kuiper, Juan Otero, Michael Cochren and Tedd T. It was produced by Tedd T. The song features guitar, bass, horns, backing vocals and drums. The song is about how Jesus will always do the unexpected.
Key lyrics:
Ain’t it like Jesus
To flip the situation?
Ain’t it like Jesus?
Zero limitations

I Still Believe You’re Good – This song was written by Michael Tait, AJ Pruis, Bryan Fowler and Micah Kuiper. It was produced by Kuiper and Fowler. The song features keys, guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals. Michael Tait has said that this song is really the whole COVID-19 story wrapped up in melody.
Key lyrics:
Even in the valley, I still believe
You’re good

Stand – This anthem was written by Michael Tait, Jeff Sojka and Ben Glover. It was produced by Sojka and Glover. The song features keys, guitar, bass, drums and backing vocals. The song is about who we will be when trouble comes calling for us. This will be a good song for Christian radio.
Key lyrics:
I’m gonna stand in a world that’s breaking
Stand for a truth unchangin’
I’m not ashamed, I’ve considered the cost
I’ll stand right here at the foot of the cross
And stand

Clean – This song was written by Michael Tait, Jonathan Smith, Bryan Fowler, Michael Cockren and Tedd T. It was produced by Tedd T and Fowler. The song features percussion, bass, keys, drums, and backing vocals. The song addresses how people perceive us and how we want to be perceived.
Key lyrics:
God, You’re strong when I am weak
I need Your grace to help me to see
That I’m not longer a slave to me
I’ve been washed, I’ve been set free

Won’t Be Afraid – This anthem about not fearing was written by Michael Tait, Be Calhoun and Tedd T. It was produced by Calhoun and Tedd T. The song features guitar, percussion, bass, keys, backing vocals, drums and a catchy chorus.
Key lyrics:
When I walk through the fires of life, I
Won’t be afraid, no, won’t be afraid, no 

Come Through – This song about God coming through for us written by Michael Tait, Micah Kuiper, Bryan Fowler, Michael Cochren and Tedd T. It was produced by Tedd T and Kuiper. The song references Romans 8:28, and features guitar, bass, drums, keys and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
You always come through
You have not forsaken me
You are working all things for my good
Even when I cannot see
I know You always come through
For me 

Blessings on Blessings – This upbeat song about all of the blessings in our lives was written by Michael Tait, Ethan Hulse and Jeff Pardo. It was produced by Kuiper, Tedd T and Pardo. The song features keys, organ, handclap, guitar, bass drums, backing vocals, and a catchy chorus.
Key lyrics:
I’ve got blessings on blessings
Written all over my life
Even when things are goin’ wrong
I got so much goin’ right
There’s a song in my soul
And there’s breathe inside o’ my lungs
So many things to thank You for
How could I just choose one?

No Doubt – This song was written by Michael Tait, AJ Pruis, Micah Kuiper and Bryan Fowler. It was produced by Micah Kuiper. The song is about how Jesus is the only one. The song features guitar, bass, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
There’s no doubt
You are the only who has never let me down

Never Too Far Away – This song was written by Michael Tait, Bryan Fowler, Matt Lott and Dave Stovall. It was produced by Fowler. The song, which builds at the chorus, features keys, percussion, guitar, bass, drums and backing vocals.
The song tells us that no matter what we may have done, we’re never too far away from a forgiving God.
Key lyrics:
When everything falls apart
You’re still in the arms of amazing’ grace
You’re never too far away

Best songs:
Ain’t It Like Jesus
I Still Believe You’re Good
Won’t Be Afraid
Blessings on Blessings

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• beloved. Watch the new video for “beloved” by Switchfoot.

 

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“Stand” by the Newsboys, featuring TobyMac

This week’s song of the week is “Stand” from the Newsboys. On this new version of the song, originally released on the band’s 2021 Stand album, Michael Tait reunites with former DC Talk bandmate TobyMac. Watch the lyric video here.

[Verse 1: Michael Tait]
Who will I be
When trouble comes callin’ for me?
Will I live the way I believe
When I’m backed up against the wall?
[Pre-Chorus: Michael Tait]
What kind of heart do I have in my chest?
Does it beat for my Savior or just for my flesh?
What will I do in the moment that everything falls?
[Chorus: Michael Tait]
I’m gonna stand in a world that’s breaking
Stand for a truth unchangin’
I’m not ashamed, I’ve considered the cost
I’ll stay right here at the foot of the Cross
And stand
[Verse 2: Michael Tait]
They can call me a fool
Or stubborn for following You
For trusting without any proof (Ooh-ooh)
Well, I’ve seen You here through it all (All) (Ooh-ooh)
[Pre-Chorus: Michael Tait]
So what kind of person do I wanna be?
Am I committed to You or committed to me?
What will I choose the second that everything falls?
[Chorus: Michael Tait]
I’m gonna stand in a world that’s breaking
Stand for a truth unchangin’
I’m not ashamed, I’ve considered the cost
I’ll stay right here at the foot of the Cross
And stand (Stand)
(Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
Stand (Stand)
(Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
I’m not ashamed, I’ve considered the cost
I’ll stay right here at the foot of the Cross
[Bridge: TobyMac]
And stand up for the One who gave everything
Stand up because You deserve all of me
Not gonna give up, I’m not gonna give in, nah
Oh, and if it takes all I am
[Chorus: Michael Tait & TobyMac]
I’m gonna stand (I’ll stand) in a world that’s breaking (Oh-oh)
Stand (I’ll stand) for a truth unchangin’
I’m not ashamed, I’ve considered the cost (Not ashamed)
I’ll stay right here at the foot of the Cross (Oh-oh)
And stand (Gonna stand, gonna stand) (Oh)
(Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
Jesus, help me stand (Gonna stand, gonna stand) (Oh)
(Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
I’m not ashamed, I’ve considered the cost (Not ashamed)
I’ll stay right here at the foot of the Cross (Oh-oh-oh)
And stand