Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

Leave a comment

Unsung Hero: The Inspired By Soundtrack – For King + Country 
*** 

This album, by the four-time GRAMMY Award winning duo For King + Country, comprised of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, is a collection of songs (covers, previously released songs by the band, etc.), that were inspired by their film Unsung Hero. You can read my review of the film here 
The album has the band collaborating with a number of artists, including Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, sister Rebecca St. James, Stryper, Lecrae and more.    
Below are a few comments about each song:  

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

  • More of this review
  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics ~ “Jesus Calms the Storm (Hymn for Anxious Little Hearts)” by The Getty Girls, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Sandra McCracken, and Joni Eareckson Tada

You’re The Voice – This song was written by Chris Thompson, Andy Qunta and Maggie Ryder. It was recorded in 1986 by Australian singer John Farnam, and in 1991 by Heart. It was covered by Rebecca St. James on her 1996 album God 

Place In This World – This song was written by Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and Wayne Kirkpatrick, and features Michael W. Smith. This was Smith’s biggest mainstream success when his recording of the song hit #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1991.     

She Believes – This song was written by Joel Smallbone. The song was included as “She Believes in Me” on the band’s 2008 debut EP A Tale Of Two Towns 

To Hell With The Devil (RISE) – This reimagined song is based on the title song from Stryper’s 1986 album. This version was written by Joel Smallbone, Joseph Prielozny, Lecrae, Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, Tedd T and Dyame. The song features Stryper and Lecrae. The Smallbone’s father David promoted a Stryper tour in Australia when he was a successful concert promoter. For King + Country had previously collaborated with Lecrae a few times, beginning with Lecrae’s 2014 song “Messengers”.  

Checking In – This song was written by Garrett Jacobs, Kenneth Cooper Hart and Michael Farren, and features Lee Brice. The song tells the story of a son wrestling with grief about the loss of his father through imagining how he would respond to a voicemail of the father “checking in” with him. The song connects with the film when David is seen grieving over the unexpected death of his father James.  

You Make Everything Beautiful – This song was written by Rebecca St. James, Luke Smallbone, and Fred Williams, and features Rebecca St. James performing her 2011 song.  

Rhythm Of My Heart – This song was written by John Joseph Capek and Marc Wallace Jordan, made popular by Rod Stewart in 1991.  

Unsung Hero (Single Edit) – This song was written by Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Seth David Mosley, and Federico Vindver. The song was originally released on the band’s 2022 album What Are We Waiting For 

Harmony – This short song was written by Federico Vindver, Aqualung, Seth Mosley, Luke Smallbone, and Joel Smallbone, and features Sleeping At Last. The song was originally released on the band’s 2022 album What Are We Waiting For 

Lead Me On – This song was written by Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Wayne Kirkpatrick, and features Amy Grant. This is a reimagined version of Grant’s 1988 song. David Smallbone’s promotion of Grant’s failed (in terms of attendance) Australian tour plays a major role in the Smallbone family’s story depicted in the film.  

I Surrender All – This hymn was written by Judson W. Van DeVenter in 1896                  features Hillary Scott, who had a small role in the film, and Michael W. Smith on piano.  

Crazy (Theatrical Version) – This song was written by Guy Sigsworth, and features Rebecca St. James. The song was recorded by Seal in 1991. 

I enjoyed the album, especially some of the reimagined songs.  

Favorite songs:  
Place in This World 
You Make Everything Beautiful 
Unsung Hero 
Lead Me On 


  • What Should We Sing? How to Identify a Good Worship Song. Bob Kauflin writes “Biblical songs enable the word of Christ to dwell in people richly. They can be described as theologically driven, rather than simply theologically aware. They take into account the Bible’s redemptive story that begins and ends in Christ.” 
  • Hold on Tight. Here is the video for Amos Lee’s new song “Hold On Tight”, from his forthcoming album Transmissions.    
  • Ultraviolet (Light My Way). Enjoy this video of U2 performing “Ultraviolet (Light My Way)” from their U2:UV Achtung Baby residency at the Sphere.  
  • Like It’s Nothing. Here is the live video for “Like It’s Nothing”, from Mac Powell.  

“Jesus Calms the Storm (Hymn for Anxious Little Hearts)” by The Getty Girls, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Sandra McCracken, and Joni Eareckson Tada 

This week’s song of the week is “Jesus Calms the Storm (Hymn for Anxious Little Hearts”, by The Getty Girls, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Sandra McCracken, and Joni Eareckson Tada. The song was written by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Bryan Fowler, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa and Sandra McCracken.  Enjoy the music video here.    

When my heart is filled with fear
Like a stormy sky  
Jesus says “be not afraid”  
He is at my side  
Chorus  
There’s a rock where I can go 
Keeps me safe and this I know  
Deep within my troubled soul  
Jesus calms the storm  
When my thoughts are tossed and turned  
Like a raging sea   
I will listen to His voice   
He will comfort me   
Chorus   
When I feel the shame of sin   
Like a crashing wave    
My Redeemer rescues me   
By His grace I’m saved  
Chorus  
He who rules the wind and waves   
Soon will come again   
Oh take courage little heart   
Every storm will end  
Chorus (x2) 

Author: Bill Pence

I’m Bill Pence – married to my best friend Tammy, a graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis Cardinals and Illinois State University Men’s Basketball fan, formerly a manager at a Fortune 50 organization, and in leadership at my local church for thirty years. I am a life-long learner and have a passion to help people develop, and to use their strengths to their fullest potential. I am an INTJ on Myers-Briggs, 3 on the Enneagram, my top five Strengthsfinder themes are: Belief, Responsibility, Learner, Harmony, and Achiever, and my two StandOut strength roles are Creator and Equalizer. My favorite book is the Bible, with Romans my favorite book of the Bible, and Colossians 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 being my favorite verses and Romans 8 my favorite chapter of the Bible. Some of my other favorite books are The Holiness of God and Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul, and Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. I enjoy music in a variety of genres, including modern hymns and classic rock. My books Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace, A Leader Worth Following: 40 Key Leadership Attributes and Applications to Master, and Tammy’s book Study, Savor and Share Scripture: Becoming What We Behold are available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. Go to amazon.com/author/billpence or amazon.com/author/tammypence

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Coram Deo ~

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading