South Carolina's GRAMMY-nominated band NEEDTOBREATHE hooked me 17 years ago with their major-label debut Daylight, which features the single "Shine On." My takeaway review comments were, "Great album. Even better group."
Since then, the band has improved their craft with each album, garnering an opening slot for pop icon Taylor Swift, playing on late-night television, and collaborating with pop artist Gavin DeGraw on one of their biggest hits to date, "Brother," from Rivers in the Wasteland. That album earned a GRAMMY nomination for its hit "Multiplied."
During quarantine, NEEDTOBREATHE created—composed, and recorded—their eighth studio album, Into the Mystery, which includes standout hits “I Am Yours” and "I Wanna Remember," which features country superstar Carrie Underwood. In 2020, the band released Out of Body, which includes hit songs "Who Am I" and "Survival." Their most recent offering is CAVES, which features “Everknown” and the title track “The Cave.” I’ve listed a lot of songs and albums. So, with that in mind, I’ve selected five essential NEEDTOBREATHE songs to add to your playlists. Enjoy.
“I Am Yours”
Every day, "I Am Yours" serves as a prayer to ask for God's intervention in transforming our hearts and lives so that our behavior and lifestyle are centered around Him, as it is only through Jesus that we find our true identity.
This song allows God to whisper our identity to us. It’s not found in what we do or don’t do but in who we are and, more importantly, to whom we belong.
We can celebrate the song’s truth that we are fearfully, wonderfully, and perfectly made, singing to God with all our hearts: “Cause I am yours/And you will always be mine/It seems like madness I’m invited to the table by your side/Cause I am yours/And you will always be mine/I’m a man whose one ambition is to dance with my divine.”
“Who Am I”
"Who Am I" reminds us beautifully of God's mercy and love for us. It tells us that we can trust in Jesus and be saved no matter what we've done. We cannot earn our way to heaven, but by surrendering to Jesus and putting our hope in Him, we can receive eternal life. God wants to give us this gift and never let us go. This song is an excellent example of the kind of heart we should have as people valued by God and as Christians who can share this value with others. As they sing: “Somehow You really love who I really am/I push You away/Still You won’t let go/Who am I to be loved by You?”
“Something Beautiful”
“Something Beautiful” reflects that sometimes we need to be on our knees in prayer and submission before God and cry out, “Hey now!” Get to that place where you are in humble submission to God, and don’t play it safe, but take a chance and ask Him to be authentic in your life. You’ll never see true beauty if you don’t fully submit to Him.
“HARD LOVE”
My “hard love” journey has involved evaluating my core beliefs, being honest with myself about my goals and ambitions, and professionally and personally pursuing partnerships with those who embody the qualities I admire most. That’s what this song “HARD LOVE” says to me.
The song personifies the band's challenge of standing up for what's right in a dark world. In the duet version of the song, the powerful vocals of lead singer Bear Rinehart and pop vocalist Andra Day reach their highest point during the bridge: “When the wolves come and hunt me down, I will face them all and stand my ground, 'cause there's a fire burnin' in me, they will see my strength in this love I found."
Be encouraged by the words of Benaiah, one of King David’s mighty warriors, from 1 Kings 1:36: “Amen. May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, decree that it happen.” That type of faith inspires me to live out the lyrics: “Hold on tight, what don't kill you makes you stronger, get back up, cause it's a hard love.”
“Fall on Me (featuring Carly Pearce)”
According to a PEOPLE article, NEEDTOBREATHE describes "Fall on Me" as a song about relying on meaningful relationships for support during times of fear and uncertainty. In the piece, they say that although life can be challenging, it's comforting to know that we are surrounded by people who care for us and have our backs.
Only Jesus can give us our identity. What a powerful expression of what it means to accept that God never leaves or forsakes us. The lyrics profoundly move me, “I am Yours now, You will always be, You will always be, the one that I can call, the safest place to fall for me.” The emotional vocals and the deep, inspirational lyrics engage me.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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