wanted this version to be a little more ‘ drum centric ’ for several reasons . Drums are a means of communication in many cultures , and we liked the thought of having drums ‘ call ’ us to worship .
The other reason for the focus on the drums is we wanted this version to be a celebration of what this song has done over the years and the way this song has traveled throughout the nations . Hearing Cobus ’ s drums on this track accomplishes that for me … and it ’ s a bit of a drummer ’ s party because some of Philip ’ s drums are also in the track . On top of that , for the upcoming music video we are still working on we ’ ve invited some drummers from around the world to join in the party by filming themselves playing the song on whatever drums they play .
It was Marika ’ s idea to invite Matt Maher . I ’ ve always loved and respected Matt ’ s work ( and he ’ s a fellow Canadian !). I had met Matt for the first time in person just last year and we had a good connection , so I reached out and he was gracious to join us on the song . I get all the ‘ feels ’ when Matt ’ s voice comes soaring in with energy and passion on the second verse and I ’ m harmonizing along below him .
Finally , the female vocal part is one of my favorite parts of this new version . I first met Sneha Reddy in my final year of leading the songwriting program at Prairie College in Alberta in 2017 . She had just arrived from New Delhi , India , a young songwriter and singer ready to learn and express herself . She became friends with one of our daughters , and so through that connection we stayed in touch . When we planned this anniversary version of the song , I wanted something in the vocals to illustrate that this song had taken an international journey , and I just love the way Indian vocals have those interesting little inflections and quarter tones . ( We have also recorded a Hindi-English version of the song with Sneha that will be coming out soon along with other language versions like Korean , French , Spanish and more to come ).
[ WM ] With 25 years in the rear-view mirror and now a fresh take on this iconic song … what are your hopes for its re-release ?
[ Brian ] My hope for this re-release is simple . First , I hope it blesses people as they listen to it and reminds them of the truth that they are welcome to ‘ come as they are ’.
Secondly , I hope faith communities everywhere hear the song say to them , “ I ’ m still here .” Songs surge , then they get ‘ over-sung ’, and after some time passes , we can rediscover them . By giving Marika and Luke a co-producing role and getting their input on the song , they brought some ‘ younger ’ elements to the song that helped breathe some fresh life into it .
Here ’ s a funny story about a song like this being over-sung . I was in a week-long intensive class
26 October 2023 Subscribe for Free ...