Contemporary Christian singer Britt Nicole has released the music video for Gold, the title track of her latest CD, which has spawned the Top 3 hit, All This Time. Gold is my favorite track off Nicole’s latest release, so I’m particularly excited that Sparrow Records chose to make a music video for Gold. I was a little surprised when I learned that airplay was picking up for Stand, which, while certainly noteworthy for its scriptural message and Britt’s vocal acrobatics at the end and, wasn’t an album stand-out for me. However, Gold seemed tailor-fit for radio single release, and I’m hoping that its performance on CHR radio will prove me right. Because this song is buttah.
As a song, Gold is absolutely brilliant. Easily one of the best songs I’ve heard from a Contemporary Christian artist this year. Its encouraging message, irresistible melodies, and topnotch arrangement could make Gold CCM’s answer to Katy Perry’s more self-centric, equally irresistible Firework. And Britt has never sounded more powerful and confident. (Her acoustic performance of Gold) underscores her new-found vocal improvement. (The things marriage does, eh?) As a single, Gold is a no-brainer, AND CHRISTIAN AC RADIO MUST OPEN UP TO “GOLD.” That’s an order. Take it from me.
Which brings me now to the video for Gold. Given that Gold contains a certain two-fold meaning – our intrinsic value to God is more than gold, and that when we are in Christ, we are accorded symbolic crowns (of gold) that represent our new value when we are reborn in Him – which can’t be stressed enough in this video. Essentially, the video seeks to point out that we are all valuable in Christ, regardless of who we are. So it gathers up a worthy representation of young misfits – the wrist-cutting goth girl, the handsome, sexually ambiguously male (ballet) dancer, the girl suffering from bulimia, the skater girl, and the young, passionate but undersized basketball player – who all have to deal with their own self-esteem issues. All are inevitably bullied by varying representatives of the world order.
Suddenly, each teen is magically whisked off to an undisclosed location – heaven? – where a bunch of men catch each of them as they fall from the sky. They are taken to a house, where a dolled-up Britt – seriously, terrific styling on this vid, her best yet – is leading some kind of house party, to which all five are invited. They are then given their own redemption – skater girl’s broken skateboard replaced with one of gold; bulimia babe, goth girl, and ballet boy all get crowns and find acceptance; pint-size curly-haired basketball dude gets a golden basketball and a hug from an Afro-American *awkward*
It’s all cliche. It’s all been done before. Nothing entirely new or revolutionary in this vid.
Yet, somehow, I was moved. The first time I saw it, I had to fight back tears.
Because you know what? I was there. I knew what it was like to be bullied, to be thought of as different, and the video spoke to me because I saw myself in those kids. You don’t have to be the person directly spoken to, to get and appreciate this video, but I think those who understand the message and will be encouraged by Gold will appreciate and long for the acceptance offered by Christ and His spiritual family, and the representation, despite its vapid, somewhat one-dimensional presentation in this video, will hit spot-on. Like the Word of God, it’ll penetrate bone and marrow, and it’ll speak to the right people as powerfully as any Bible verse.
So I encourage all of you to go out and share this video – there’s an acoustic performance of Gold available, if you’d rather not show this video, but want people to hear the song – because even if you may not appreciate it, God can use you to bring this message of hope and redemption to someone who will. Great job as always, Britt.
GOLD Lyrics
Britt Nicole
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You were walking on the moon, now you’re feeling low
What they said wasn’t true, you’re beautiful
Sticks and stones break your bones, I know what you’re feeling
Words like those won’t steal your glow, you’re one in a million
This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you’ve been told, you’re worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it’s your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you’re worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you’re gold)
You’re worth more than gold
(Gold gold you’re gold)
Well everybody keeps score, afraid you’re gonna lose
Just ignore they don’t know the real you
All the rain in the sky can’t put out your fire
Of all the stars out tonight, you shine brighter
This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you’ve been told, you’re worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it’s your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you’re worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you’re gold)
You’re worth more than gold
(Gold gold you’re gold)
So don’t let anybody tell you that you’re not loved
And don’t let anybody tell you that you’re not enough
Yeah there are days when we all feel like we’re messed up
But the truth is that we’re all diamonds in the rough
So don’t be ashamed to wear your crown
You’re a king you’re a queen inside and out
You glow like the moon, you shine like the stars
This is for you, wherever you are
Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, oh, oh,
You’re gold
This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you’ve been told, you’re worth more than gold
(So hold your head) So hold your head up high,
It’s your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you’re worth more than gold
(Gold gold, you’re gold)
You’re worth more than gold
(Gold gold you’re gold)
So don’t be ashamed to wear your crown
You’re a king you’re a queen inside and out
