"Like a Lion" is song written by Daniel Bashta and originally performed by Passion (with David Crowder) on the 2010 album Passion: Awakening. In 2011, it was covered by Newsboys as "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)" and released as a single from the album God's Not Dead. The song appeared on charts during its release in 2012. The song charted in 2014, after the release of the film, God's Not Dead. The band performs the song, in a concert sequence, dedicating the song to the film's protagonist Josh Wheaton, at the end of the film. The song was released through Inpop Records.[1] It is also heard in the credits of God's Not Dead 2 and God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness.
| "Like a Lion" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Passion | |
| from the album Passion: Awakening | |
| Released | March 11, 2010 |
| Recorded | January 2010 |
| Genre | Worship, CCM |
| Label | sixsteps |
| Songwriter(s) | Daniel Bashta |
| Producer(s) | Nathan Nockels |
Background
editThe song was written by Daniel Bashta.[2] The lead vocals are performed by David Crowder.
| "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Newsboys and Kevin Max | ||||
| from the album God's Not Dead | ||||
| Released | 12 October 2011 | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
| Genre | Contemporary Christian music, contemporary worship music, pop rock | |||
| Length | 4:18 | |||
| Label | Inpop | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Daniel Bashta | |||
| Producer(s) | Seth Mosley | |||
| Newsboys and Kevin Max singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Newsboys version
editIn the Newsboys version, the lead vocals are performed by Michael Tait and features fellow DC Talk member Kevin Max.[3][4]
It was first released as a single on 12 October 2011, peaking at No. 2 on 9 June 2012[5] after spending 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs.[6] and then again when the film of the same name was released in 2014.[7] It helped to propel "We Believe", from Restart, to the No. 2 position on the chart as well.[7]
In the United States, the single reached gold sales in June 2014,[8] and by May 2015 it became the band's first platinum single, selling more than 1 million.[2]
Music video
editThe music video for the song was published on 6 January 2012.[9] The video is set in New York City, and also shows many views of the Hudson River. During the video, the Newsboys themselves, along with others, read a headline stating: "God Is a Myth". In the video, the Newsboys are seen performing in both a concert, and a smaller studio setting.
Charts
edit| Charts (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Hot Christian Songs[10] | 2 |
| Billboard Christian Digital Songs[11] | 1 |
| Billboard Heatseekers Songs[12] | 23 |
| Billboard Christian Streaming Songs[13] | 4 |
Decade-end charts
edit| Chart (2010s) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Christian Songs (Billboard)[14] | 26 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "God's Not Dead Soundtrack Delivers No.1 Radio Hit - God's Not Dead Blog". God's Not Dead Blog.
- ^ a b "NEWS: Newsboys Garner First Career Platinum® Certification with "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)" - The Gospel Music Association". The Gospel Music Association. 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Newsboys join forces with Kevin Max on latest album, will perform together Thursday". 9 January 2012.
- ^ "Spencer Daily Reporter: Local News: Newsboys set to prove 'God's Not Dead' (03/23/12)". Spencer Daily Reporter. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Christian Music: Praise and Worship Songs Chart - Billboard". Billboard. 2 January 2013.
- ^ "God's Not Dead". Billboard Charts. 15 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Chart Moves: Jason Derulo 'Wiggle's Up Hot 100; Black Keys Unlock Alternative No. 1; Jamiroquai Jams Back Onto Dance Charts". Billboard. 16 May 2014.
- ^ "Luke Bryan Hits 2x Multi-Platinum". Music Times.
- ^ Newsboys - God's Not Dead. 6 January 2012 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Newsboys - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Newsboys - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ "Newsboys - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ^ "Newsboys - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Decade-End 2010s". Billboard. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – Newsboys – We Believe". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 17 October 2022.