Before the massive success of "God's Not Dead" reignited the career of the industry veterans, the Newsboys released the first of two highly popular worship albums in 2003. While the aforementioned cover of the Daniel Bashta hit has become one of the most iconic Christian songs in a generation, it was Adoration: The Worship Album that first kicked open the door to the worship market. As that album turns 20, we take a look back at some of the album's most notable cuts.
"He Reigns"
The original Newsboys worship hit. This song was everywhere back in the mid-2000s and is still one of the older songs most likely to be featured in concert. With choral backing, this song's simple worshipful declaration and catchy melody made it a song people instantly connected with. It's also one of the album's more energetic and engaging cuts, feeling like an actual Newsboys song rather than just the Newsboys doing a worship standard.
The song's themes were a unifying cry, invoking cultures globally and showing how they have expressed the same common truth of Christ's sovereignty over all creation.
"Amazing Love (You Are My King)"
This is a great song for Lenton season, a meditation on the sacrifice Christ made for each one of us. The song was a worship standard back in the 2000s, and the Newsboys' version was arguably among the most known.
The song is both anthemic and meditative, boasting the best of the Newsboys sound, as well as a more introspective side. The song completed a one-two punch of worship hits that helped solidify this new worshipful direction for the Newsboys. Not only did this album spawn an immediate sequel, but the success of hits down the line like "God's Not Dead" also likely owe much to the success of these two hits.
"Adoration"
The title track was a minor hit in relation to the aforementioned. It's a bit surprising, given the song plays almost as a Christmas song. Since the Newsboys are among the few Christian bands to not have a notable Christmas original as of this writing, it's a wonder this song wasn't marketed as such.
While its musical stylings might not quite evoke the Christmas season, its lyrics are a blatant call to praising the newborn King. If you're missing a bit of that Christmas feeling but don't want to draw attention to yourself by being "that person" who plays Christmas music year-round, this might be a little compromise that will hit the spot without raising too much suspicion.
Did we miss your favorite from the album? Let us know which song from Adoration most resonated with you.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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