Filipino-Christian Blogger Ganns Deen » Featured

Secret, “So Much For Goodbye”

Ganns — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:23:02 +0000

Korean girl group Secret has released a PV (preview video) for So Much For Goodbye, a track that will apparently feature on the ladies’ second Japanese single, scheduled to drop at the end of the month. (That will make an excellent birthday present for me, I’m just sayin’.)

I’m not normally a fan of K-Pop ballads, but So Much For Goodbye works for me very, very well. Jieun and Hyosung deliver, as expected, but the big revelation is Zinger, who has a remarkably beautiful singing voice, and Sunhwa, who isn’t such a hot mess. (Get this lady a drama!)

Actually, all the girls emote very well in the So Much For Goodbye PV, crying and staring off into the pretty, Etude House-ish set. All decked out in whites and peaches, the ladies of Secret show that they are truly capable of any kind of music. They’ve pulled off a sassy Beyonce-type sound, they’ve done a retro pop sound, they’ve even done Korean folk, and all the songs are pulled off with class and authenticity. In my opinion, Secret is one of the most under-appreciated, yet most talented and hardworking, girl groups in Korea. Admittedly, this is a K-Pop release, but we Secret Agents (Secretimes?) will take what we can get. And this time around, the going got better than we expected.

Secret – So Much For Goodbye PV

Phil Wickham, “This Is The Day”

Ganns — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:54:58 +0000

Contemporary Christian artist Phil Wickham has followed up his Soft AC/Inspo Top 10 hit At Your Name (Yahweh Yahweh) with another upbeat track, This Is The Day. The second single off Wickham’s stellar new release, Response, This Is The Day is instantly singable and automatically likeable, culminating in that soaring bridge and powerful final few choruses. If there’s anything that Wickham has shown us in his career, it’s that he is a master of the communal praise anthem, songs that can be sung in congregations large or small, but always with an eye towards worshiping the Savior in spirit and truth. This Is The Day is a welcome addition to that can(n)on, Wickham-related pun intended.

THIS IS THE DAY Lyrics
Phil Wickham

Can you hear it?
The gentle voice of the Spirit
There’s no reason to fear it
He’s calling You to life

Just surrender
Run into the arms of the Father
The night is finally over
Take a step into the light

This is the day when the lost are found
This is the day for a new beginning
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
Oh, can you hear all the angels are singing
This is the day
The day when life begins

Can you see it?
A light shines into the darkness
Bringing hope to the hopeless
It’s leading you to life

This is the day
When all your sins are washed away
In the waves of His unending grace
Forever you’re alive

This is the day when the lost are found
This is the day for a new beginning
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
Oh, can you hear all the angels are singing
This is the day
The day when life begins

Have no fear salvation has come
And He is here
Have no fear salvation has come
And He is here
Have no fear
Have no fear

This is the day when the lost are found
This is your beginning
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
I can hear the angels sing

This is the day when the lost are found
This is the day for a new beginning
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
Oh, can you hear all the angels are singing?
This is the day
The day when life begins
This is the day
The day when life begins

Christy Nockels, “Ever Lifting”

Ganns — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:01:04 +0000

Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Christy Nockels, who scored a hit late last year with Waiting Here For You, has released Ever Lifting, a digital single that is apparently the carrier single of a new, currently untitled album, scheduled for release sometime in the spring of 2012. Coming from the reverent worship of Waiting Here For You, Christy’s new single Ever Lifting is a buoyant song of praise that is, in my opinion, a dose of fresh air amidst the heavy rock sounds currently permeating Christian AC. I’m sure somewhere in the Midwest, this kind of Christian sound may be a dime a dozen, but to this Christian music lover, I am loving that southern gospel sound. The banjo – is it a banjo? – is a delight to hear; it reminds me a bit of the brilliant Indigo Girls’ Get Out The Map, which is another great uplifting song (that is decidedly unChristian, but that’s beside the point).

Christy has created some amazing work with Watermark, and I appreciate her work with Chris Tomlin and the men and women of Passion, but there’s something about the material that she’s churning out since Life Light Up, her own studio release from last year, that tells me Christy’s only just begun to scratch the surface of what she’s fully capable of. She has a clear, distinctive voice, and when she sings, there is just so much passion there, it’s hard not to take notice. Ever Lifting is now picking up at Christian AC – it’s one of the most added songs at AC this week – and methinks Ever Lifting could be a ticket to another Top 20 hit for the ever-inspiring, ever-insightful Ms Nockels.

EVER LIFTING Lyrics
Christy Nockels

Up on the heights, oh oh
You let me go, oh oh
You make my heart to rise from the depths below …

You hold me up, oh oh
So I can see, oh oh
You’re ever lifting me …
You’re ever lifting me …

You’re lifting my head so I know You’re near me
You’re lifting my eyes so I see You clearly
Where I belong…You are where I belong
I’m lifting my voice just to sing a new song
I’m lifting my hands just to show You I know where I belong …
You’re where I belong …
You are ever lifting me …
You are ever lifting me …

You fill my heart to know, the length of Your great love
And where You go I’ll go, You set my heart above
And nothing on earth compares, Oh God when I’m with You
You take me higher, You take me higher

Dara Maclean, “Free”

Ganns — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:05:19 +0000

Fresh off the heels of her Top 20 hit Suitcases, new Contemporary Christian recording artist Dara Maclean has released Free, another upbeat vocally driven winner from her debut CD, You Got My Attention. Maclean certainly has grabbed the attention of Christian AC programmers, who are quickly adding Free into their playlists and making the new track one of the fastest growing songs at Christian AC the past two weeks. Personally, I think Suitcases is a superior single to Free, but there is something about the message, that tinkling piano line, that interesting bass, and, of course, Maclean’s unique vocal delivery, that makes Free every bit a winner as its predecessor. Methinks we can safely assume Maclean will rack up another Top 20 hit in her hands, which would be a great thing heading into the homestretch of final nominations for the 2012 Dove Awards. Methinks Maclean deserves at least three tips o’ the hat: New Artist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for Suitcases, and Female Vocalist of the Year. Best of luck to you, Dara.

FREE Lyrics
Dara Maclean

Hurting heart and broken wings
Cannot stop Your love from always finding me
No more days wasting away
I finally realize the gift inside of me

My strength alone will never be enough
But Your arms keep lifting me up

You tell me I’ve been made free
You give me everything I need to walk in my dreams
You whisper words that free my soul
You’re the reason I have hope
You’re everything I need and more
You made me
You made me free

I was caged in, then You opened
Every door that held me bound and You gave me the key
No more pressure I can just breathe
The girl I tried so hard to be, has always been me

My strength alone will never be enough
But Your arms keep lifting me up

You tell me I’ve been made free
You give me everything I need to walk in my dreams
You whisper words that free my soul
You’re the reason I have hope
You’re everything I need and more

Now I’m free to love, free to live,
Free to take my life and give it all to You
Whoa

Matthew West, “Family Tree”

Ganns — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:12:09 +0000

My wife, noted KPop writer Caths Deen, recently gave me for an anniversary present the latest album of Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Matthew West. The Story of Your Life CD/DVD package is one of the best CCM albums I’ve ever heard for a variety of reasons, and the criminal absence of a #1 Billboard hit from this offering, Matthew’s first since his indie label debut, Sellout, does not undermine the fact that this is a brilliant album.

Aside from the clear-cut singles, My Own Little World (peak:7) and Strong Enough (peak:3), another standout track is the moving song Family Tree. Recently featured on The Vampire Diaries, Family Tree is an encouraging song for anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak as the result of a soured relationship with a family member, or pretty much anyone who’s struggled to understand why their families are wired the way they are.

At the end of the day, Matthew’s encouraging words – the bridge You are loved sung over and over – is a powerful reminder that God is still in control, and we have the power by His grace, to change our circumstances. We are not defined by our earthly families, we are defined by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that bought us at a price, and that our reunion with our real Father, the God Who created the universe, is a stark reminder that we can and will overcome anything life throws at us, even a twisted family tree. God can use us to heal that family tree and end generational curses… if we let Him.

If you’re here looking for prayer with your family situation, please do not hesitate to email me at ganns at gannsdeen dot com. I am here for you.

FAMILY TREE Lyrics
Matthew West

You didn’t ask for this
Nobody ever would
Caught in the middle of this dysfunction
It’s your sad reality
It’s your messed up family tree
And now you’re left with all these questions

Are you gonna be like your father was and his father was
Do you have to carry what they handed down?

No, this is not your legacy
This is not your destiny
Yesterday does not define you
No, this is not your legacy
This is not your meant to be
I can break the chains that bind you

I have a dream for you
It’s better than where’ve you’ve been
It’s bigger than your imagination
You’re gonna find real love
And you’re gonna hold your kids
You’ll change the course of generations

Oh, this is not your legacy
This is not your destiny
Yesterday does not define you
No, this is not your legacy
This is not your meant to be
I can break the chains that bind you

‘Cause you’re my child
You’re my chosen
You are loved
You are loved
And I will restore
All that was broken
You are loved
You are loved

And just like the seasons change
Winter into spring
You’re bringing new life to your family tree now
Yes you are, you are

Oh, this will be your legacy
This is will be your destiny
Yesterday did not define you
Oh, this will be your legacy
This will be your meant to be
I can break the chains that bind you

And just like the seasons change
Winter into spring
You’re bringing new life to your family tree now

Ganns’ Year-end Top 10s for 2011

Ganns — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:16:00 +0000

At some point in 2011, my Top 10 kinda went offline because my laptop crashed and took the Top 10 with it. After that, it was pretty much to my iTunes to determine what songs should go to #1. Having said all that, this is my personal Top 10 for the year 2011, divided into Christian and Secular (Top 40). Just sharing. (^^,)

CHRISTIAN TOP 10
1. Stronger. Mandisa
2. Good Morning. Mandisa
3. Suitcases. Dara MacLean
4. Make a Move. Royal Tailor
5. Hanging On. Britt Nicole
6. God Is Still God. Heather Williams
7. Hold Me Together. Royal Tailor
8. Hold Me. Jamie Grace feat TobyMac
9. Strong Enough. Matthew West
10. Blessings. Laura Story

No surprise here, Mandisa romps away with the Top two slots on the year-end Top 10, with Stronger edging out Good Morning. The real surprise is Royal Tailor, which has two songs in the final Top 10, a strong finish for both Make A Move and Hold Me Together. Overall, these songs cap what I felt was a weak year in Christian music, with no songs coming out that were particularly groundbreaking or attaching themselves to my brain in an emotional and spiritual way.

SECULAR TOP 10
1. Beautiful Target. B1A4
2. Pinocchio. f(x)
3. Love is Move. Secret
4. Sixth Sense. Brown-Eyed Girls
5. I Am The Best. 2NE1
6. You Know. Piggy Dolls
7. The Boys. Girls’ Generation
8. Don’t Go Home. GD & Top
9. Going Crazy. Song Jieun featuring Bang Yong Guk
10. Be My Baby. Wonder Girls

As you can see, every song on my 2011 secular chart Top 10 is a K-Pop song. That’s really quite impressive, considering I don’t understand a single word they’re saying. (That’s a joke. I have translations.) But yeah, it’s the dominant year of K-Pop on my personal chart, which tells me I really should start featuring more K-Pop on my website because it’s what I seem to be listening to a lot nowadays. Honorable mentions for the year, however, do go to five topnotch (English) songs that just didn’t have enough space on this chart’s Top 10: Adele’s brilliant Rolling in the Deep, David Cook’s woefully underappreciated The Last Goodbye, Beyonce’s amazing old-school throwback Love On Top, Fantasia’s delightful Collard Greens and Cornbread, and Maroon 5/Christina Aguilera’s Moves Like Jagger.

Eleven versions of “All I Want For Christmas Is You!”

Ganns — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:11:48 +0000

Mariah Carey’s Christmas single, All I Want For Christmas Is You has come a long way from its origins in 1993. It’s one of the biggest-selling Christmas singles of all time, and many, many artists have recorded their own versions of it. I’ve linked to five noteworthy versions below.

Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey, All I Want For Christmas Is You. The Biebs recorded All I Want For Christmas Is You (Superfestive!) for the Canadian pop star’s Christmas CD, Under the Mistletoe. What’s particularly noteworthy about this version is that it’s the fourth version of the song with a video, and the one in which Carey is wearing the least clothing. (Following this trend, we can expect the 2025 version of All I Want For Christmas Is You to feature an almost-60-year-old Carey wearing next to nothing.

Newsboys’ All I Want For Christmas Is You. Michael Tait’s distinctive vocal puts catchy na na na’s over a relatively rockified arrangement of All I Want For Christmas Is You. It’s a pretty cool pop cover, although I can imagine how cool it’d be in the hands of ex-Newsboys lead vocalist Peter Furler. Now that would’ve been terrific.

Michael Buble’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. Michael Buble’s Christmas offering includes a ballad version of All I Want For Christmas Is You, and this one is a home run. The remarkably rich arrangement and Buble’s heartfelt vocal add a different dimension to the song, making it ache with longing and, in my opinion, adding a whole new flavor to All I Want For Christmas Is You. Probably my favorite version of the song.

Lady Antebellum’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. Another ballad version, this one from Grammy Award-winning country trio Lady Antebellum. Not at all a bad version, but I’m still leaning towards Buble’s as the definitive ballad version, despite the fact that Lady Antebellum had a one-year head start on Buble’s.

The Cast of “Glee”‘s All I Want For Christmas Is You. Fox television show Glee weighs in on All I Want For Christmas Is You, with diva Mercedes (Amber Riley) doing her thang and getting it done atop a festive rearrangement of the song that departs from the usual straightforward piano lines and happy hand claps. Y’all been churched!

The Puppini Sisters’ All I Want For Christmas Is You. I first heard of the Puppini Sisters due to their featured outing on Buble’s Christmas CD; their Andrews Sisters-like harmonies on Jingle Bells made that track one of the most enjoyable on the Buble album. Imagine my surprise to find out they have their own version of the Carey chestnut! I love the throwback to the classic 50s sound of the Andrews Sisters, and that brass section is HAWT.

Big Time Rush’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. The popular boy band’s spin on All I Want For Christmas Is You features a guest vocal as well from Miranda Cosgrove (of Disney’s iCarly). It’s a pretty straightforward version, pleasant pop delivered pleasantly by pleasant vocals.

Miley Cyrus’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. The country influence of Cyrus’ father, Billy Ray Cyrus, comes through loud and clear on this live recording from one of the younger Cyrus’ many concerts, and she certain holds her own against all the other versions to which I’ve linked thus far.

Michelle Gordon’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. Reggae singer Michelle Gordon’s version is actually a very good take. Gordon’s voice is surprisingly strong, and I really think you should give it a shot… or nine!

My Chemical Romance’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. Punk is definitely not dead, especially with this rocking version from punk band My Chemical Romance. It’s waaay too loud for my taste, but I can see why many people would like this version. It’s actually rather fun!

SNSD’s Tiffany’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. Even KPop artists weigh in on it, with Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany performing the song live on a Korean radio show. Um…

What do you think? Whose version do you like best? Did I miss out on a great All I Want For Christmas Is You version from someone else?

Chris August, “Jesus Savior”

Ganns — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:34:51 +0000

In my opinion, Chris August is one of those Christian musicians that some people severely misunderstand. You see, some of his pre-Christian music is still available online, and it’s not exactly the kind of music you’d want to see a Christian musician making. But see, that’s the beauty of salvation, that’s the beauty of forgiveness, that’s the beauty of watching Christ work in a person’s life. Christ comes in, and heals the hurt and makes the broken, well, beautiful. Chris August has been forgiven and he’s taken that new life and run with it in a way that glorifies God.

Two years since the release of August’s first Christian CD, No Far Away, he has won the Dove Award for Best New Artist, topped the Christian charts (with Starry Night, alongside 7×70, another Top 10 hit) and earned himself the begrudging respect of an industry that doesn’t quite accept secular musicians making Christian music when the well has otherwise run dry.

Which brings us to Jesus Savior, August’s first Christmas single. Like everything he’s released to date (Starry Night, 7×70, Battle), it’s catchy the first time you hear it. People looking for deeper theology better stick to their Jimmy Needham’s and David Crowder’s, because this is straight-forward storytelling, the kind of music you can play on your iPod or car stereo and not have to mull over, “what deeper meaning could August be saying here?” It’s the Christmas story, pure and simple, put in a really catchy melody and sing-along chorus. My eight-year-old will love this, as will the teens in my youth group and the husbands and wives in my couples’ group. August’s easygoing voice comes into full play and effect with Jesus Savior, and I think it should be a hit, because dang, that chorus will play in your head for hours on end.

After the misstep of Battle, which was lyrically great but musically meh, Jesus Savior, will definitely get August back into radio’s good graces. Good job, Mr. August. Happy holidays.

JESUS SAVIOR
Chris August

Once upon a time in a town called Nazareth, lived an ordinary girl
Mary was her name, and she was engaged to Joseph the carpenter

Suddenly an angel came
Said, “You will have a baby boy.
But don’t be afraid,
God is with you”

“Just call him Jesus, Savior,
Son of God, the King of Kings.”
Our salvation has a name
Jesus, Savior
Precious Lord of everything
Our whole world’s about to change

Mary was confused, and Joseph was, too
He thought, “How could this be?
Cause we’re not married yet, and even if this is some miracle,
Why would He choose you and me?”

Then in a dream, an angel came,
Said, “Joseph you should marry Mary.
Don’t be afraid, this child’s the very Son of God!”

He is Jesus, Savior,
Son of God, the King of Kings.”
Our salvation has a name
Jesus, Savior
Precious Lord of everything
Our whole world’s about to change

And it will never be the same

Glory to God
Peace on Earth
Glory to God
Peace on Earth
Glory to God
He came to save the world

Jesus, Savior
Son of God, the King of Kings
Our salvation has a name
It is Jesus, Savior
Precious Lord of everything
Our whole world’s about to change

It will never be the same
Our whole world’s about to change

Tenth Avenue North, “Deck the Halls”

Ganns — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:13:32 +0000

Home run, Tenth Avenue North!

The men of Contemporary Christian rock band Tenth Avenue North has finally let their hair down on a video that is fun, tongue-in-cheek, and completely evocative of the mirth of the season. The boys’ version of Deck the Halls updates the traditional and makes it just perfect for 2011; I can totally hear Christian AC stations all over the United States – and, of course, on Saved on Energy 106.7 here in Manila – playing this contemporary chestnut. Knowing it’s coming from a talented band like Tenth Avenue North makes it even more enjoyable; any fan of TAN knows they could sure use the deviation from their more serious tracks.

Tenth Avenue North has released one of the best Christmas tracks this year with Deck the Halls, alongside a video that matches it pound for pound. I love it!

DECK THE HALLS Lyrics
Tenth Avenue North

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yule tide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Oh Christmas time is my favorite time of year
Deck the halls and holiday cheers
Watch our troubles fade out of sight
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus tonight

Fast away the old year passes,
Hail the new, lads and lasses,
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Cause Christmas time is my favorite time of year
We deck the halls and holiday cheers
Everything it will be alright
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus tonight

Come on deck the hall, come on deck the halls, it’s Christmas time yeah
Come on deck the hall, come on deck the halls, be alright
Come on deck the hall, come on deck the halls, it’s Christmas time
Come on deck the hall, come on deck the halls, be alright
It’s gonna be alright
It’s Christmas time, cause it’s Christmas time baby
It’s my favorite time of the year
…yo, grab the tree, grab the lights.

David Crowder Band, “The First Noel”

Ganns — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:00:40 +0000

As the seconds tick closer and closer to the demise of the David Crowder Band, the group’s Yuletide offering, Oh For Joy!, is even more precious than ever. The First Noel is now picking up in airplay in the USA in anticipation of the coming Christmas season, and it is certainly a very, very good version of a Christmas classic.

Crowder’s voice has always been unique, but the edginess and passion with which he delivers The First Noel is just moving, moving, moving. Especially when he sings, Glory, glory, glory in the highest headed towards the song’s powerful climax. The guitar work, the bass work, the frantic drums… it’s designed for corporate worship, and churches all over the world would do well to adapt this version of The First Noel to their congregations. TobyMac and Owl City also have a version of The First Noel on the former’s Christmas in Diverse City, but it lacks the passion and fervor of the Crowder version, which I obviously prefer. You be the judge: who did a better take?

David Crowder Band, The First Noel

TobyMac featuring Owl City, The First Noel

THE FIRST NOEL Lyrics
David Crowder Band

The first noel the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep

Noel noel noel noel
Born is the king of israel

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night

Noel noel noel noel
Born is the king of israel

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to thy heavenly lord
That hath made heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought

Noel noel noel noel
Born is the king of israel
Noel noel noel noel
Born is the king of israel

And the angels sing it was heavenly
And the angels sing it was heavenly
And the angels sing oh it was heavenly
And the angels sing oh it was heavenly oh

Glory glory
Glory in the highest
Glory glory
Glory in the highest