In this era of modern worship, there are songs that arise into the collective consciousness of the Church, serving as a milestone for that particular period of history. We see these songs pop up every now and then. Songs like "Revelation Song", "The Stand", "Oceans" and "Our God" all remind us of different seasons in the Church, and in our personal faith.

One of the most recent songs to pop up out of nowhere is the hit song "Good Good Father," written by Atlanta-based worship movement HOUSEFIRES. Although it was part of the band's independently released record, HOUSEFIRES II, many people came in contact with the song via Chris Tomlin's version of it. 

As such a transcendent song, not only did worshippers resonate with it, but many different artists did, too, and the result is a number of renditions out there by some powerhouse artists. The following is a list of the best versions of "Good Good Father" you may have missed.

1. Zealand Worship 
It's always good to hear the familiar voice of former Newsboy Phil Joel, and his energetic personality comes through as his new band, Zealand Worship, provides probably the most upbeat version of this song I've heard. Its celebratory vibe almost presents it as a completely different song than the more soul-searching tone of other renditions. It's a must-hear! (Buy it here!)
 
2. Casting Crowns 
Mark Hall's authoritative yet gentle voice carries this song nicely, and Casting Crowns' fingerprints on the song definitely give it more of a Nashville sound. The tune builds to a big bridge ("You are perfect in all of Your ways") that features Crowns' signature harmonies, before going into an interlude of beautiful violin playing. As part of the band's A Live Worship Experience, the song captures the worshipful heart of this chart-topping band. (Buy it here!)
  3. Big Daddy Weave 
The final track of BDW's Beautiful Offerings album features a live rendition of this song, where the rhythm is a tad slower, a bit swung, and gives Mike Weaver the space to let his voice ring out. Like Crowns' version, the acoustic guitar leads the way on this track, but simple electric guitar riffs and piano also make their presence known. The voice known for the song "Redeemed" brings just as much passion to this song as he does his own. It's worth a listen as the most vocally dynamic cover on this list. (Buy it here!)
 
4. Sarah Reeves 
It's awesome to hear a female lead vocal on this song; it adds a new dimension to the song. Sarah Reeves released her cover of this song via YouTube and iTunes, offering a stripped-down, vocals and piano treatment of the song. It's meditative and soothing, and a definite change of pace for the song. Her voice jumping into high notes during the "as you call me deeper still" section induces goosebumps! (Buy it here!)
 
5. Travis Cottrell 
Simple electric piano carries this song for the first 40 seconds, providing a simplistic vibe to this live recording--that is, until a full-on choir joins him for the chorus. Cottrell's voice is bolstered by the thick harmonies and powerful wall of sound provided by the choir, and, from what I can tell, the audience present for his live recording. This version features the most voices of any of the renditions, providing a big sounding, inclusive worship experience. (Buy it here!)
 
6. Anthem Lights 
Anthem Lights has always been two things: a pop group and a vocal group. And when they took on this song to help announce it as Song of the Year in the 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards, they of course brought both aspects of what they do to it. The result is an instrumentally pared down slow-jam that features slick four part harmonies, R&B style vocals and stellar individual solo performances. (Buy it here!)
 
7. HOUSEFIRES 
It's kind of funny this--the original version of the song--would be on this list, but due to the widespread popularity of Tomlin's version, some people may not even know the origins of the song as having come from the HOUSEFIRES movement at Grace Midtown Church in Atlanta. The original song is more than 8 minutes long, and captures more of the raw, organic, free-flowing, and even somewhat spontaneous worship that's the hallmark of HOUSEFIRES. Flowing in and out of verses, choruses and the bridge--as well as some ad-libbed segments--this not overly produced live recording captures the passion that, for lack of a better analogy, made a spark and stoked the flames of this song. Co-writer Pat Barrett's vocals are honest and emotive without being distractingly overpowering. (Buy it here!)
 
8. Passion (Kristian Stanfill) 
Desite Chris Tomlin's affiliation with Passion, this is a distinctly different arrangement of the song from his, included on Salvation's Tide Is Rising. Kristian Stanfill's vocals--while not extremely different from Tomlin's--are delivered amidst a backdrop of pulsating synth bass and arena drums. The most electronic of the renditions, this sounds like what a trance song would be in 3/4 time. It's a chill electronic track that soothes and energizes at the same time. (Buy it here!)
 
9. Kirby Kaple 
You may not know the name Kirby Kaple--indeed, she's an independent artist--but those familiar with HOUSEFIRES do. She's one of the worship leaders with HOUSEFIRES, and her Sarah Kelly-meets-Audrey Assad-meets-Leigh Nash voice provides an airy lead vocal that retains the tenderness of the original song, with passion. The production of the song on her Who We Might Become  project finds itself in this live-studio space--a studio recording that has some big drums, surrounding background vocals and reverb that lends itself to the raw, real original. (Buy it here!)


What's your favorite of these versions of "Good Good Father"?