Recently known for his strong pro stance on adoption, singer/songwriter John Waller has had a music career most artists would dream of. Being recognised and respected for his hit songs and powerful anthemic ballads that bring people hope and let us know that Jesus’ love is boundless and endless; John’s song “While I’m Waiting” was featured in the Alex Kendrick directed and Kirk Cameron acted film Fireproof, while the heartfelt and emotional music video for “As For Me And My House” was nominated for a Dove Award alongside videos from Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, Chris August, Chris Tomlin and Hawk Nelson (which is pretty good, considering that song was from an independent album!). Even his debut hit song “Still Calls Me Son”, from the 2007 album The Blessing, struck a chord with me- John’s prowess at writing is just as good as a veteran artist like Michael W. Smith or Mark Hall from Casting Crowns. And yet, not that many people listen to his music compared to CCM artists who are signed. John released the album Crazy Faith in 2015 (on City Of Peace Records), and you can read that review here. We also reviewed many more of John’s releases; and since that time John has released Explosions Of Light in 2019, and the singles “But God”, “What My Father Does” and “Kingdom Symphony”. If you want to read more about John and his recent music, you can read all of our reviews; but this past week, John is back with something new. Well… something old but something still new-ish.
Re-recording songs in a different way after ‘x amount’ of years… is all the in thing these days. Taylor Swift and Bryan Adams have done this. So has Demi Lovato. Now it’s John’s time. “While I’m Waiting”, one of the biggest hits from John’s career, released in 2007 on his debut album The Blessing. It was re-released in 2009 and featured in the film Fireproof; and the topic of waiting is one such topic that humans sometimes forget about and need to fully grasp and understand. Sometimes it is in these moments of waiting that we learn more about ourselves and about God in the process. You can read more about the song in the 2 blogs I wrote about the track here and here. But for now, let me tell you that this re-recorded version which just released, titled “Waiting (While I’m Waiting)”, is a melody that hits incredibly hard, even after all these years. It’s a song that is self-explanatory, a song that is needed even now in this volatile and upside-down world we live in, and it’s a song that I reckon is timeless. We all need to learn how to wait on God, and know that in the silence, God is still working, that He’s still there and He still cares.
John Waller’s (new-ish) song is a testament to the power and timelessness of the classic melodies which still speak to us today; and though feeling confronted and challenged may not be what we’d like to feel at the moment, John’s words ultimately have solidified and cemented my faith time and time again, and that’s definitely a plus! With his heart for mission, family, and children, being intertwined with his heart for God and bleeding through throughout John’s entire discography; there’s plenty of here within John’s songs for everyone… but I’d say start with “While I’m Waiting” (or this new updated version!)- for what I believe is a song that everyone needs to listen to at least once. Well done John for a thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring song, and hopefully it calls people to action to trust in Jesus at all times!
