By Gavin Boyle
Michael W. Smith teamed up with Elevation Worship’s Chris Brown to release an updated version of his famous song “Agnus Dei”
“I think I was in a mode of writing something for my church, and this song literally fell out of the sky,” Smith said, recalling the writing of the song. “I remember weeping at my piano, going, ‘Oh my God, what just happened here.’ Then I started thinking, ‘I need to record this song.’”
“A lot of these young people, when they hear ‘Agnus Dei,’ they have no idea that the original song was from Go West Young Man,” Smith continued. “They just know it maybe comes from my Worship record (2001), or maybe the Passion album released this year. It still strikes a chord, ushering people into worship.”
Related: Grammy Award Winner Michael W. Smith on the Impact of Worship Music
The collaboration between Smith and Brown was recently released but is part of a larger project by Smith to reimagine the songs that have defined modern Christian music as duets. The larger album, House of Worship, will debut in January.
“House of Worship is a bold revival of the anthems that have shaped modern worship across the world,” the project’s website explains. “Executive produced by Darlene Zschech and Michael W. Smith, this project brings together iconic worship anthems and the voices that brought them to life, no reimagined as powerful duets.”
“With musical production by Paul Mabury and John Hartley, each track offers fresh arrangements, soul-stirring performances, and a deep reverence for the Spirit that inspired them,” the explanation continues.
As Smith works to bring these iconic songs to a new generation of believers, he has previously shared why he believes worship music is so powerful in the first place.
“I see worship music as playing a very vital role in the relationship of believers with God,” Smith told actor Kirk Cameron. “I’ve heard some people say things like, ‘You know if you’re gonna make movies, you’ve got to make movies with this great story but don’t preach the gospel in the middle of the movie. That’s not real movie making.’ And I’ve heard similar things with songs. People will say, ‘Well you know that worship music, that’s not really the same as a great crafted song and you’re giving these repetitive lyrics for people to say things to God.’ But I think it is a unique genre that is critical.”
Praise the Lord for the way Smith works tirelessly to bring amazing music to the church. It will be very fun to hear his new renditions of all of these famous anthems at the start of next year.
Read Next: Michael W. Smith Talks About Why Worship Music is so Powerful
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