What a Beautiful Name

Last updated

I don’t favor the lyric... It fits too easily into a theology of a God who created because he was lonely, and then saved people for the same reason. He just can’t be happy without us. [13]

— John Piper

Another pastor, Sam Storms also acknowledged criticisms of the lyric.

It’s the statement: “You didn’t want heaven without us.” Some have argued that this line suggests that Jesus is needy, that he is, in himself, somehow deficient and less than complete and only we, his people can fill up what he lacks... But we know from numerous biblical texts that God needs nothing... he is altogether self-sufficient and independent. [14]

— Sam Storms

Hillsong responded to the criticisms of the song with a blog by singer Ben Fielding. Fielding cited John 17:24 and other verses to defend the scriptural inspiration behind the criticized lyric.

In verse 2, we wanted to describe the love of God, who, though in need of nothing, so loved the world that He chose to send His one and only Son, so that we may not perish but have eternal life with Him. [15]

— Ben Fielding

Live performances

The song was recorded at a live performance at the annual Hillsong Conference in 2016. [1] Hillsong performed the song at the 48th Annual Dove Awards held at Allen Arena in Nashville. The performance was well received and "had audience members on their feet with their hands in the air." [16]

When asked about performing the song in an interview with Billboard 's Jim Asker, Ligertwood said about the audience:

"Because the audience is part of the church and we sing these songs in church regularly, most of the people in attendance were already familiar with the tracks. As an audience, they are just super gracious and welcoming. Our mission is that the music will resonate with them. We're not really performing—we're simply vessels. [1]

Finally, she said about performing the song:

"I guess that when I am leading the song, my voice is me, but it's also my prayer first, that I am there to serve people and link with them in the presence of God. When you connect with people, you can feel their spirits being lifted. It's really the beauty of singing something about the wonder and power of Jesus. When people connect, it's freeing for them and breaks chains and creates faith." [1]

Other versions

In July 2017, the Voices of Lee, the "elite" [17] a cappella singing group, posted a video of the song to their Facebook page. The cover was an instant hit and reached the so-called viral threshold of 5 million views in two days. As of October 2017, it had amassed 33 million views. The group represents Lee University in Tennessee; the video was filmed in the school's chapel. [17] [18]

Track listing

"What a Beautiful Name"
What A Beautiful Name (Official Single Cover) by Hillsong Worship.png
Single by Hillsong Worship
from the album Let There Be Light
Released6 January 2017 (2017-01-06)
Genre Contemporary worship music
Length3:58
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Hillsong Worship singles chronology
"O Praise the Name (Anástasis)"
(2016)		"What a Beautiful Name"
(2017)		"Seasons"
(2017)
Music videos
"What a Beautiful Name" on YouTube
Digital download [6]
No.TitleLength
1."What a Beautiful Name"3:58
Digital download – EP [19]
No.TitleLength
1."What a Beautiful Name"4:00
2."What a Beautiful Name" (Live)5:43
3."What a Beautiful Name" (Alternate Acoustic)3:45
4."What a Beautiful Name" (Orchestral Selah)3:30
5."What a Beautiful Name" (Gospel Version)4:44
6."What a Beautiful Name" (Y&F Remix)3:58

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2016–17)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [20] 7
US Christian Songs (Billboard) [21] 1
Year-end charts
Chart (2017)Position
US Christian Songs ( Billboard ) [22] 1
US Christian Airplay ( Billboard ) [23] 3
US Christian AC ( Billboard ) [24] 4
Chart (2018)Position
US Christian Songs ( Billboard ) [25] 10

Decade-end charts

Chart (2010s)Position
US Christian Songs (Billboard) [26] 3

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [27] Silver200,000Double-dagger-14-plain.png
United States (RIAA) [28] Platinum1,000,000Double-dagger-14-plain.png

Double-dagger-14-plain.png Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Worldwide6 January 2017 Digital download
[6]
31 March 2017Digital download
(EP)
  • Hillsong Australia
  • Sparrow
 [19]

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooke Fraser</span> New Zealand musician (born 1983)

Brooke Gabrielle Ligertwood better known by her maiden name Brooke Fraser, is a New Zealand singer and songwriter best known for her hit single "Something in the Water", released in 2010. Fraser released two studio albums What to Do with Daylight (2003) and Albertine (2006) through Columbia Records before signing a recording contract with Wood + Bone. Her third studio album, Flags, was released in 2010 and is her most successful album to date. She released the album, Brutal Romantic, was released in November 2014 through Vagrant Records. Her latest album, her first live album, Seven was released in 2022.

Hot Christian Songs is a music chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It ranks the popularity of Christian songs using the same methodology developed for the Billboard Hot 100, the magazine's flagship songs chart, by incorporating data from the sales of downloads, streaming data, and airplay across all monitored radio stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)</span> Song by Hillsong United

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" is a song by Australian worship group Hillsong United. It was released on 23 August 2013 as the second and final single from their third studio album, Zion (2013). The song is led by Taya Smith, and was written by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston and Salomon Ligthelm, with production being handled by Michael Guy Chislett.

<i>Let There Be Light</i> (album) 2016 live album by Hillsong Worship

Let There Be Light is the 25th live album of Hillsong Worship, which consists of several worship pastors from Australian church Hillsong Church. The album was recorded during the 2016 Hillsong Conference at the Qudos Bank Arena from 4 July until 7 July 2016 and was released on 14 October 2016, under Hillsong Music, Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group.

<i>The Garden</i> (Kari Jobe album) 2017 studio album by Kari Jobe

The Garden is the fifth studio album by Kari Jobe. The album was released on February 3, 2017 by Sparrow Records alongside KAJE, LLC. Jeremy Edwardson worked on the production of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O Come to the Altar</span> 2017 single by Elevation Worship

"O Come to the Altar" is a song by American worship group Elevation Worship. It was released on February 24, 2017, as the lead single from their fifth live album, Here as in Heaven (2016). The song was written by Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, and Wade Joye. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, their highest-charting entry. It stayed there for a record total of sixteen weeks, blocked by Lecrae's "I'll Find You" and Hillsong Worship's "What a Beautiful Name".

<i>The Peace Project</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Hillsong Worship

The Peace Project is an album by Australian contemporary worship group Hillsong Worship and is the fifth Christmas-themed worship album from Hillsong Music, following We Have a Saviour (2012). Released on 20 October 2017 by Hillsong Music Australia and Capitol Christian Music Group, the album's production was spearheaded by Ben Tan and Michael Guy Chislett. The album was nominated for the GMA Dove Award for Christmas / Special Event Album of the Year at the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reckless Love (song)</span> 2017 song by Cory Asbury

"Reckless Love" is a song by Cory Asbury and it was released on October 27, 2017, as the lead single from his second studio album of the same name, Reckless Love (2018), via Bethel Music. The song also appeared on the album Bethel Music en Español (2019). The song was written by Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury and Ran Jackson, with production being handled by Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury.

<i>There Is More</i>

There Is More is the 26th live album by Australian worship group Hillsong Worship. The album was released on 6 April 2018, by Hillsong Music and Capitol Christian Music Group. Production was handled by Brooke Ligertwood and Michael Guy Chislett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who You Say I Am (song)</span> 2018 single by Hillsong Worship

"Who You Say I Am" is a song performed by Australian praise and worship group Hillsong Worship. Written by Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding, a studio-recorded version of the song was released on 15 June 2018 as the first single from their 26th live album, There Is More (2018), by Hillsong Music Australia and Capitol Christian Music Group. It appeared on the compilation album Wow Hits 2019.

The discography of Australian Christian music praise & worship group Hillsong Worship consists of twenty-six live albums, four extended plays (EPs), three compilation albums, and 19 singles.

<i>People</i> (Hillsong United album) 2019 live album by Hillsong United

People is the fourteenth live album from Australian contemporary worship music band Hillsong United. It was released on 26 April 2019, through Hillsong Music and Capitol Christian Music Group. The writing process for the album involved biblical influences, having the role as worship music for Hillsong, and its musical style involves a youthful influence, with use of acoustic instruments within recording.

<i>Awake</i> (Hillsong Worship album) 2019 studio album by Hillsong Worship

Awake is the fifth studio album by Australian worship group Hillsong Worship, released on 11 October 2019. It is the group's first studio album in 15 years, with the last being Faithful (2004). The album was preceded by the lead single "King of Kings", released on 12 July 2019. On 19 June 2020, "Awake My Soul" was released as the second single, which features Tasha Cobbs Leonard; it is the group's first collaboration since 2004. The album won the Worship Album of the Year at the 51st Dove Awards.

Ben Fielding is an Australian contemporary Christian music and worship songwriter, and one of several worship leaders in Hillsong Worship group. He has written many songs for the group, winning three Dove Awards and one Grammy Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Thousand Hallelujahs</span> 2022 single by Brooke Ligertwood

"A Thousand Hallelujahs" is a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter Brooke Ligertwood. It was released as the lead single from her first live album, Seven (2022), on 14 January 2022. Brooke Ligertwood co-wrote the song with Phil Wickham and Scott Ligertwood. The single was produced by Brooke Ligertwood and Jason Ingram.

"King of Kings" is a contemporary worship song by Hillsong Worship and is the lead single from their twenty-eighth album, Awake. Released on 12 July 2019, it was written by Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, and Jason Ingram and produced by Michael Guy Chislett and Brooke Ligertwood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fresh Wind</span> 2021 single by Hillsong Worship

"Fresh Wind" is a song performed by Australian praise and worship group Hillsong Worship. It was released as a single from their upcoming album on 22 January 2021. The song was written by Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood, David Ware, and Matt Crocker. Michael Guy Chislett and Brooke Ligertwood handled the production of the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Know You Will</span> 2021 single by Hillsong United

"Know You Will" is a song performed by Australian contemporary worship band Hillsong United. It was released on 9 July 2021, as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Are We There Yet? (2022). The song was written by Benjamin Hastings, Dylan Thomas, and Joel Houston. Michael Guy Chislett and Joel Houston handled the production of the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hope of the Ages</span> 2021 single by Hillsong Worship, Reuben Morgan and Cody Carnes

"Hope of the Ages" is a song performed by Hillsong Worship, Reuben Morgan and Cody Carnes. The song was released as the lead single to Hillsong Worship's album, These Same Skies, on 20 August 2021. The song was written by Cody Carnes and Reuben Morgan. Jason Ingram and Brooke Ligertwood handled the production of the single.

<i>Seven</i> (Brooke Ligertwood album) 2022 live album by Brooke Ligertwood

Seven is the first live album by New Zealand singer-songwriter Brooke Ligertwood and her seventh solo album overall. It was released on 25 February 2022, via Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group. The album features a guest appearance by Brandon Lake. The album was recorded on 11 November 2021, at The Belonging Co in Nashville, Tennessee. Ligertwood collaborated with Jason Ingram in handling the production of the album.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jim Asker (14 April 2017). "Hillsong Worship Songwriter Brooke Ligertwood Talks What Sets Christian Music Apart". Billboard . Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong, Hillsong Worship – Song Info – AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Asker, Jim (11 December 2017). "The Year in Christian & Gospel Charts: Hillsong Worship & Tamela Mann Lead Lists". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Hillsong "What a Beautiful Name" awarded Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year at the Dove Awards". Heartsong Live. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Lynch, Joe (28 November 2017). "Grammys 2018: See the Complete List of Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Worldwide digital release of "What a Beautiful Name":
  7. ↑ "What A Beautiful Name Song Story". Hillsong. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  8. ↑ "What a Beautiful Name sheet music by Hillsong Worship (Piano, Vocal & Guitar (Right-Hand Melody) – 179475)". www.sheetmusicdirect.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  9. ↑ "What A Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship". YouTube. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  10. ↑ Collar, Matt. "What a Beautiful Name". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  11. ↑ Gosselin, Jake (22 February 2017). "Why the song "What a Beautiful Name" by Hillsong Worship is so popular right now". Churchfront. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  12. 1 2 Payne, Kaley (9 January 2018). "The name you lift up reaches new heights". Eternity News. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  13. ↑ "When Worship Lyrics Miss the Mark".
  14. ↑ "Is the Song "What a Beautiful Name It Is" Heretical?".
  15. ↑ "Scriptural Inspiration Behind the Lyrics of 'What a Beautiful Name'".
  16. ↑ "48th annual Dove Awards held in Nashville at Allen Arena". WKRN. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  17. 1 2 "Voices of Lee's video goes viral with more than 16M views". Cleveland Daily Banner. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  18. ↑ "Lee Univ. singers launch album after viral video". WBIR. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  19. 1 2 Worldwide digital release of "What a Beautiful Name" (EP):
  20. ↑ "Hillsong Worship Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  21. ↑ "Hillsong Worship – Chart history (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  22. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  23. ↑ "Christian Airplay – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  24. ↑ "Christian AC – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  25. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  26. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs – Decade-End 2010s". Billboard. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  27. ↑ "British single certifications – Hillsong Worship – What a Beautiful Name". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  28. ↑ "American single certifications – Hillsong Worship – What a Beautiful Name". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 18 April 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.