Sony Music Australia
Release Date: October 30th 2020
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
Delta Goodrem – Solid Gold (Remixes) – Single (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Solid Gold (Quinn Remix)
- Solid Gold (Initial Talk Remix)
Delta Goodrem has been synonymous with Australian culture for quite some time. Her impact and influence on Australian music is huge, and as I’ve been listening to her music throughout the years (more so on a regular basis ever since her 2016 album Wings of the World), I’ve been noticing this one thing- that God doesn’t really care what type of music He uses for people to understand more about themselves and more about Him in the process- if He chooses to convey His love for creation through a Skillet song, a Chris Tomlin song or even a Delta Goodrem song, then who are we, mere humans, to question anything that He does? Delta’s music has been encouraging, impactful, and dare I say, God-breathed at times- her songs like ‘Born to Try’, ‘Believe Again’, ‘In this Life’, ‘Enough’, ‘Sitting on Top of the World’, ‘Mistaken Identity’, ‘Together We are One’, and more recently, songs like ‘Let it Rain’ and ‘Keep Climbing’; are all testaments of the inspirational influence that Delta has in her music, even possibly without knowing it herself.
As I’ve continued to embark along the road of understanding that ‘mainstream’ music isn’t as ‘bad’ or ‘evil’ as I was even led to believe, I find myself being more open to whatever the Lord has in store for me- be it a worship song, a hard rock song, or even a song from an Aussie artist, that can deliver similar punches and remind us all of our desperate need for something bigger than ourselves to sustain us in this life that we lead. Enter in Delta Goodrem, who I can boldly say I am a fan of. Her new album comes out TBA 2021, and she already has a Bridge Over Troubled Dreams tour coming in April 2021…maybe the album is called Bridge Over Troubled Dreams? Regardless, Delta released a total of 5 singles in 2020: ‘Let it Rain’, a charity single in light of the Australian bushfires, ‘Keep Climbing’, the powerful single which has been confirmed to be on her brand new album, ‘Paralysed’, a song unveiled in July 2020, and chronicles her health battle of 2018/19, ‘Back in ‘84’, a song unveiled in July 2020 and relays about the good ol’ days of growing up, and presents this theme of treasuring the days we have, both then when we grew up and now; and now more recently, ‘Solid Gold’.
As I have said time and time again this last year, I’ve come to realise, that if we limit the music in which we believe God can speak to us through, then we really don’t know God and what He really can do…I know, controversial to some, but it’s the truth. And I’m understanding more and more each day, that the God who raised Jesus from the grave, is the same God who can speak through a music genre, or a music style, that may be different from what we as Christians are used to. And maybe, just maybe, that’s ok. Songs can bear the message and meaning of one thing, and when someone hears it, they can attach their own personal meaning to it too. Which is the beauty of why music is such a universal language and a great avenue and vessel to be used by the Lord to speak to people in various different walks of life. And just like how the song ‘Paraylised’ was thought to have been about COVID-19 (and that’s what I initially got out of the song) but was actually about Delta’s own personal health battle in 2018/19; ‘Back in ‘84’ is another song of hers that has a few meanings. To Delta herself, ‘Back in 84’ is a snapshot of her life, an autobiography in song if you will- looking back at her own personal history and looking forward in a way that happens when we all look at each of our lives, with anticipation, expectation and hope. But there’s another way to look at ‘Back in ‘84’- in more of a metaphorical way. While the song is referring to look back at people’s childhood with fondness and admiration, what the song can also mean is that often in our own lives, we can look back at situations where things were simpler, when advances with technology didn’t dull the minds of today’s generation. We look at those moments in our life with fondness and wonder, and long for those ‘glory days’. We may long to be there…instead of in our present time. But ‘Back in 84’ is a reminder for all of us to not necessarily dwell in the past, but to take each moment as an opportunity to enjoy life as best we can, learning as we go, and making amends with people in our lives if we need to.
‘Solid Gold’ released in September 2020, and again in October 2020, comprised of 2 remixes- the 80s retro feel of the ‘Initial Talk Remix’, as well as the EDM heavy ‘Quinn Remix’. The original version of the song itself, has a retro-style 1970s feel, similar to that of Fleetwood Mac, ABBA or even Bryan Adams…and that is a very good thing. For Delta’s music has evolved over the years, and this song is no different. The message- overcoming adversity and reminding ourselves that every circumstance that we find ourselves in is constantly shaping us. Whether we are in the midst of difficulties, trials, storms, uncertainties, triumphs or joyous moments, all these things have the ability to shape and reshape us into the mature and refined people we are today. Having wisdom and a newfound sense of purpose in what we are to accomplish in our lives as we use our life and our experiences as a platform to change someone else’s life in the process of living ours. ‘Solid Gold’ is a great reminder for us all that the things in our lives that maybe we thought were the broken pieces, were in fact solid gold. Meaning this- that the broken pieces of our lives, if used by the Lord in a way that we can be real and honest with our faults, mistakes and shortcomings, have the ability to change someone else’s life- that they can be vulnerable with their issues as well. What we see as broken, God sees as solid gold- worth more in His eyes than in ours.
Does the 2 remixes accentuate and highlight this theme all the more? Maybe, maybe not. But both these remixes are great ways to enjoy the song in a new light- and hopefully bring people into the fold of being a Delta Goodrem fan, anyone who may not have heard her music recently, or who haven’t really heard of her music at all. And what I will say is this- gold is worth something far beyond what we can see and imagine, and if we are to believe what God sees, that what we have had all along in our lives- the broken and messy pieces, and the great pieces, were all viewed as gold to God, and all used by Him for His glory and our good, then we don’t have to hide and be shameful and be apprehensive about which particular ‘story’ we believe God can use. God uses all things in our lives, we just have to take the step of faith and believe. So let us make today, this day, a day where we believe the gold that God has spoken over our lives. Who knows, maybe a song like ‘Solid Gold’ can impact a life far greater than we know? Delta’s new song, primarily in the remix formats (I especially enjoy the ‘Initial Talk Remix’ of ‘Solid Gold’), are a breath of fresh air out of all of the songs to be unveiled in 2020, and a song that challenges us to see the gold and the nuggets of joy and wisdom in every circumstance, however bleak they may look on the surface. Well done Delta, for the original version of ‘Solid Gold’, alongside the 2 remixes. And with Delta herself appearing on the Kelly Clarkson Show not too long ago to perform ‘Solid Gold’ remotely; this is certainly the song to catapult her to newer heights. Here’s hoping more people can be exposed to, and appreciate one of Australia’s most impressive, poignant and influential music artists of the modern generation! Well done Delta for ‘Solid Gold’, looking forward to the new album, coming hopefully in the first half of 2021!
Score: 5/5
RIYL: Vanessa Amorosi, Tina Arena, Samantha Jade, Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy