‘Jesus is Alive and Well’: Hillsong Speaks to Faithwire About Success of ‘What a Beautiful Name’ and Plans for the Future

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During the days leading up to Easter, Hillsong Worship fans and enthusiasts are getting an opportunity to revel in one of the team’s fastest climbing singles, “What a Beautiful Name.” A song that’s one of the twelve original off the album “Let There Be Light,” a recording that has taken a slightly different turn from the large choir’s 24th album “Open Heaven/River Wild (Live)”.

Over the past thirty years, the music team has had there fair share of shake ups and changes but overall they’ve witnessed lots of success and growth just like Hillsong, the global ministry based in Australia that has taken the world by storm.

READ: Hillsong is Opening a New Campus… in Israel

The 25th album “Let There Be Light” came out in the fall of last year under the label Hillsong Music Australia to rave reviews by fans. It also debuted at the top spot on the Christian Billboard Album chart. Just last month, the musicians released a 6-track “What a Beautiful Name” EP based on the success of that individual song.

The version that dropped on March 31st of this year, has one original version, a live recording from Hillsong Conference, an alternate acoustic one, a Gospel version, Orchestra one and a Hillsong Young & Free Remix.

Brooke Fraser, a singer from the Worship team said, “The reach and impact of “What A Beautiful Name” has been encouraging and truly humbling.”

“We seek to bring songs that can genuinely connect the hearts of believers with the heart of God through worship, and the connection this song seems to have made, can only be by the grace of God.”

So “With the release of the “What A Beautiful Name” EP… we are hoping churches from across denominations and stylistic sensibilities can discover a version that uniquely speaks to their context and can equip them to lead this song whatever their setting, whether they have a full gospel choir at their disposal, a DJ set up or simply an acoustic guitar.”

Faithwire spoke with the Worship team about the magic that went into making “What A Beautiful Name” EP and their plans for the future.

FAITHWIRE: What made the Hillsong team feel called to write this song and decide to share it with the world?

Hillsong Worship always has been and always will be anchored in the local church. All of us involved in Hillsong Worship, from production personnel to musicians, songwriters, worship leaders, visual designers etc., serve every weekend in our church, Hillsong in Sydney and around the globe. I say that to bring clarity to why we do what we do – it’s first and foremost to serve the local church everywhere – beginning in our own congregation and then moving beyond.

FAITHWIRE: What do you believe makes “What A Beautiful Name” stand out with fans?

The first night we introduced it in church, we realized it connected with people even more than we’d hoped. We saw faith built in the room, expectancy rise and victory confessed. I think within the song there is a balance of sound theology about God revealing Himself to humanity in and through Christ, personal lyrics about what that means for the individual, and then strong corporate confession about what that means for us today. Honestly though – you can analyze all you want but you can never explain away the God-factor. Sometimes God just decides to breathe on something and it’s completely His prerogative.

FAITHWIRE: What are the main messages that you want listeners to take away from the lyrics?

Jesus is alive and well, His love is the most real and transformative force that exists, His Kingdom is within us and all around us and we all have a part to play – nothing can disqualify us when we realize that it is His work on the cross and the power of His Name that qualifies us – nothing else.

FAITHWIRE: Hillsong’s 25th album, “Let There Be Light” was released in the fall of last year, did the album’s success meet your hopes and expectations?

As the album’s reach continues to grow, we continue to be totally humbled and grateful to be part of what God is doing on the earth.

FAITHWIRE: What’s next for the Hillsong worship team? Can fans expect any new music?

The “What A Beautiful Name” EP came out March 31st and includes four brand new and extremely varied interpretations of the song. Hillsong Young & Free will also be dropping some new tracks this year.

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