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