Lion (Elevation Worship song)

"Lion"
Song by Elevation Worship featuring Chris Brown and Brandon Lake
from the album Lion
ReleasedMarch 4, 2022 (2022-03-04)
Recorded2021
GenreContemporary worship music
Length5:54
LabelElevation Worship
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Chris Brown
  • Steven Furtick
Music video
"Lion" on YouTube
"Lion" (Live from the Loft) on YouTube
"Lion" (Lyrics) on YouTube

"Lion" (stylized in all-caps) is a song performed by American contemporary worship band Elevation Worship featuring Chris Brown and Brandon Lake. The song was released as the fourth track on the live album of the same name on March 4, 2022.[1] The song was written by Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, and Steven Furtick.[2]

"Lion" peaked at No. 16 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.[3] It has been certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4]

Background

Chris Brown of Elevation Worship shared the story behind the song,[5] saying:

This was one of the easiest songs to produce with our band. It seemed to know exactly what to do with itself right away. Pastor Steven, Brandon Lake and myself wrote it on a Wednesday, banging as hard as we could on a keyboard and acoustic, so we called the band together the next day to flesh it out. And that single D note that drones throughout the song set the tone for where the song needed to go musically.

Composition

"Lion" is composed in the key of D minor with a tempo of 67 beats per minute, and a musical time signature of 4
4.[6]

Critical reception

Timothy Yap, reviewing for JubileeCast, opined about the song: "The title cut "Lion," with its various depictions of Christ as presented in the book of Revelation, shows depth and maturity in the team's scribing skills."[7] In an Afrocritik review, John Augustina said ""Lion" comprises high-octanes, and is beautifully crafted to encourage high praise followed by tranquil moments. Somehow, writing this, this track found its to way into my favourite playlist as I couldn’t help but listen over and over again. The vocal energy produced as they scream roar comes with a force that beckons even the hardest of souls."[8] Jonathan Andre of 365 Days of Inspiring Media described the song in his review as "an anthemic, powerful melody."[9] Gerod Bass of Worship Musician magazine wrote in his review: "The signature song on the album is the title track which begins with a piano ballad as Brandon Lake confidently-declares the majesty and power of our God as the lamb who roars for us with resurrection power."[10]

Commercial performance

Following the release of the album, "Lion" made its debut at No. 17 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart,[11] concurrently charting at No. 2 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart.[12]

Music videos

On March 4, 2022, Elevation Worship published the lyric video for the song on YouTube,[13] later releasing the official music video for "Lion" that same day.[14] The video shows Chris Brown and Brandon Lake leading the song during an Elevation Church worship service.

On August 19, 2022, Elevation Worship published an acoustic performance video of the song on YouTube.[15] The video was recorded in the loft of a recently restored barn in Charlotte, North Carolina, showing Brown and Lake leading the song.

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[4] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Elevation Worship Releasing New Album, LION, March 4th - JesusWired.com". JesusWired. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  2. ^ "Lion | Chords, Lyrics and Sheet Music | SongSelect®". SongSelect. CCLI. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Elevation Worship Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "American single certifications – Elevation Worship – Lion". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  5. ^ "Elevation Worship | Artist Interview — lead worship well". lead worship well. March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  6. ^ "LION (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake) by Elevation Worship". MultiTracks. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  7. ^ Yap, Timothy (March 3, 2022). "Elevation Worship "LION" Album Review : Exclusives : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  8. ^ Augustina, John (March 13, 2022). "In "Lion," Elevation Worship Carves a Deep-Spirited Album - Afrocritik". Afrocritik. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  9. ^ Andre, Joshua (April 5, 2022). "Elevation Worship – LION | 365 Days of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  10. ^ Bass, Gerod (April 26, 2022). "Now Hear This". Worship Musician Magazine April 2022. Adolph Agency Incorporated. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  11. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Billboard". Billboard. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  12. ^ "Christian Digital Song Sales – Billboard". Billboard. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  13. ^ "LION (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake) | Official Lyric Video | Elevation Worship - YouTube". March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ "LION (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake) | Elevation Worship - YouTube". March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ "LION (Live From The Loft) | feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake | Elevation Worship - YouTube". August 19, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "Elevation Worship Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 3, 2022.