Album: Burn the Ships (2018)
Charted: 114
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Joy." finds the Smallbone brothers urging people to slow down and take time away from their communication devices. Joel Smallbone told Billboard:

    "This song took six months to write, and we wrote it partly here in Nashville, some in England, some in Los Angeles, and it was not a finicky song at all to write, we just have a long process. On the song itself, I think that people are so attached to their phones, screens, social media that you need to pause and see the joy, in human connection and interaction."

    Luke Smallbone added "There's a real beauty in diversity and different opinions. If you can be open and free about it, that's where the joy is."
  • For King & Country are backed on the track by a 100-person choir.
  • The song was co-produced by British singer-songwriter Matt Hales, who records under the moniker of Aqualung. He had a #7 hit in the UK in 2002 with "Strange and Beautiful."

Comments: 4

  • Kelly from NjI absolutely love this song!!! Great dance song!!! They need to make more like this!
  • Carrie from United StatesBest Song 2020!!!!!! PTL
  • Deborah from MoI am totally in love with this upbeat praise and dance song. Addictive!!!
  • Nathan from Fort Wayne, InI love this song it is a great one.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.