When I told the band a couple of months ago that we were going to do “Let it Rise” I was very amused at their response. One of them said, you mean that Maranatha song from the 80′s? A few others seemed mildly curious but in general quite supportive. I think they assumed that we would do the feel good version of the song done by Big Daddy Weave. (BTW, any of you guys in the band feel free to correct my impressions.) It got even more interesting when I told them we were going to base it off of the arrangement by Big Stuf. You can preview this version on iTunes. They were like…”huh?” But, you know what? I think we’ve all come around and really like this arrangement of the song.
General Theme: Lyrically, it’s obviously not a complicated song. It’s simply a call to worship. A reminder to get off our sitting apparatus and praise Jesus with our whole hearts. (Psalm 103:1 is a great verse for this.)
Musical highlights: Well, the first cool thing is the first verse where we just run a grungy loop and Weezie puts a sweet radio effect on the lead vocal (me). BUT, the highlight has to be when all of the band falls in with that driving Southern Rock riff. That’s good stuff. I like the key change in the middle. And then, of course, the little hiccup stop on beat 4 right at the end. That always makes me smile. On the downside, sometimes I feel like the “Ohhh, let it rise” parts at the end feel a little protracted. Also, it’s a tough song to clap with. You feel like clapping but the tempo is just slow enough that you have to do that cool shuffle with your feet to stay energized and on the beat.
An interesting sidenote. I asked Mark, our Senior Pastor, what were his current favorite songs we do, and this was one of the two. That should count for something!
So, let me hear it from you. What do you think about “Let It Rise”?
OK, First…
“A reminder to get off our sitting apparatus and praise Jesus with our whole hearts”
This is great.. you seriously crack me up, but perfectly said!
Second… inquiring minds want to know what Marks other current favorite song is?
Finally, you guys ROCK the heck out of this song! I LOVE IT it is one of MY two fav songs you guys do!
Ummm, I feel like I’m very much opposite of the popular opinion on this song. It’s not that I dislike the song…it’s just not one of my favorites. And not to take away from the bands talent, you guys definitely do awesome! It just doesn’t “get me going”.
I do love the key change in the middle, though…good stuff there.
I like it better than some of the other versions and if you are going to ROCK then you might as well go full speed ahead and do so! As far as being Pastor’s favorite song…I’ve heard that for 25+ years now…
My favorites are the heart-wrenching ballads. The ones that reach deep in your heart and moves you to unexpected tears because the world stops and you realize, again, the sacrifice that Jesus paid for our salvation…please add one of those too!
I 2nd what Melissa says.
When it comes to the song Let It Rise. This has to be one of my favs. The band could seriously give many “groups” a run for there money when they perform this song. Don’t get me wrong, I love any of the songs that Lance and the band perform but this one will really get you up and moving on a Sunday morning.
We like this one a lot, too…keep playing this one. I think the way the band plays it and the arrangement you are using is perfect. It’s very upbeat and fun. Thanks for bringing great music.
Definitely my favorite song out of the ones you play.
If it was between this and Praise your name, I would choose Praise your name
but I really love the musicallity of this song. It breaks the stereo type that christian music has to be just so so
This is one of my favorites! I love the radio effect in the beginning.