For King And Country is making a huge mark in the Christian music industry. The band is made up of Joel Smallbone and Luke Smallbone, which is where they got their original name of Joel & Luke. Born in Sydney, Australia, the duo moved to Nashville when they were young and have musical genes in the family. Christian musician and speaker Rebecca St. James is their older sister and Foster the People’s Jacob Fink is their brother-in-law. Their first major song released was “Busted Heart (Hold On To Me)” in 2011. I love the diverse sound and heartfelt lyrics they bring to each song. Their voices sound very mature and it’s hard to believe they have only been performing mainstream for a few years!
Here are the top five For King and Country songs!
There are moments we all crave hope and this song is a reminder that we all need hope.
Favorite Lyrics
Hope is what we crave,
And that will never change
So I stand and wait
I need a drop of grace
To carry me today,
A simple song to say
It's written on my soul:
Hope's what we crave
This is a great song to get pumped up for God while listening! As Christians, we are always striving to come closer to God.
Favorite Lyrics
So take me to the middle of Your heart
Lead me to wherever Your love starts
To a new day dawning
To the place You are
And if You want to take me over the edge
I'll let you cause Your love is where I'll land
Wanna be right where You are,
In the middle of Your heart
It’s easy to feel like we have everything in life figured out when things are going well, but you will fall when you venture from God. God is ready and willing to freely give you the grace you need to rise up again.
Favorite Lyrics
I am the wandering son
Enough is never enough
I keep chasing the wind
Instead of chasing Your love
I'm screaming out Your name,
Don't let me fall on my face
I've got a busted heart
I'm in need of a change
Yeah, I'm desperate for grace
Walking through life without love adds no value. We can live for Christ and it’s how we add meaning to what may seem mundane.
Favorite Lyrics
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
Oh, let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
This one is fun to sing along to – especially if kids are listening with you! Do you love like you are not scared? The lyrics in this song are powerful and make you think.
Favorite Lyrics
Love like I'm not scared
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on you
I fix my eyes on you
I fix my eyes on you
A brand new song from For King and Country is “Without You” from their new CD Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. Luke became very ill with a horrible illness and this song captures what his wife Courtney felt not knowing whether he was going to survive. Courtney told her husband that he couldn’t leave her. Although Luke’s health has improved tremendously, the memories and emotions quickly become fresh. Courtney sings with Luke in this song. Watch the video interview that fully explains the meaning behind this song. This could be one of their most powerful songs they have written to date.
Still young in their career, For King and Country has already won a K-LOVE Fan Award for “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” and a GMA Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year” in 2013. They have said that many different artists have influenced their direction, including U2, Switchfoot, The Goo Goo Dolls and The Beatles. Their newest CD Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. is currently available to pre-order and will be released September 16th. If you haven’t seen them in concert, they have a full schedule for the You Matter The Tour and other shows, including Walt Disney World, American Airlines Center and Winterfest at Liberty University! There are even a few free shows on the list!