Did you know that Hillsong UNITED won Artist of the Year yesterday at the Dove Awards? Yep, you heard me right. The Aussie worship movement that has wowed us time and time again with their simple yet effective worship tunes, although some critics complain that they release too many albums every year…yeah that band.
Previously artist of the year would be an artist like TobyMAc, Francesca Battistelli, Casting Crowns or Chris Tomlin, so this departure from left field is a definitely a welcome change, as it signifies a move into more worship focused music at the Doves. Or it could be that Hillsong are finally receiving the recognition they deserve, and are only now being big in America after already conquering the Australian radio and the fans.
Either way, Hillsong owe most of their recent success to their global hit “Oceans”, which has been covered countless times by artists such as For A Season, Julie Elias, The Digital Age, Shane and Shane, and The Katinas in a couple of months. Yet there is something about the original studio version, released early in 2013, and sung by Taya Smith.
“Oceans” truly is a mega-hit, brilliantly led by Taya, with the epic anthemic prayer, and declaration of Jesus’ sovereignty, delving into the fact that we can call upon His name, and rest in the hope and security that we are God’s and He is ours. The song has exploded over the past year and a bit (with the song garnering many Dove Awards yesterday, but that is for another post!); taking off in a way unlike no other Hillsong song in recent years. Well deserving of its spot on the most recent WOW Hits album, we are met with a song that confronts and reassures at the same time, and asks us the question of whether we’d follow God in the direction that He calls us to when he calls us to it. Simple yet effective, with the Holy Spirit anointed on this song; so much so that last year Oceans EP released with 5 or 6 versions of the song. Though the shortening of radio version by almost 5 minutes still keeps the message intact and is just as powerful and poignant; I much more enjoy the lengthened version, the song sung in its original format.
This song is one of the songs that was introduced at my church last year; and every time I hear it I am almost drawn to tears, as I commune with God! There’s something about the lyrics, something really unexplainable about the power of that song, and I can’t put it into words. So let me end by showing you my favourite part of the song in the lyrics below, and then also give you the link below to the music video.
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
What do you think of the song and the video? Did “Oceans” capture your soul and breathe new life and a new perspective into it? Did “Oceans” turn you into a Hillsong fan? It sure did for me! Let us know in the comments below!