Lift Up Your Face

Album: Move (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first single to be taken from Move, the tenth studio album and fourteenth overall release from American Christian rock band Third Day. The song features the veteran gospel outfit, The Blind Boys of Alabama.
  • Lead vocalist Mac Powell explained the song's meaning: "The country is going through hard times, and there are doubts and insecurity. The message [of 'Lift Up Your Face'] is our message of encouragement – not just to listeners though - to us as well. It's a message we all need to hear and I think that really sums up a lot of what we were going for with this record."
  • Bassist Tai Anderson told the story of the song in an interview with New Release Tuesday: "We were out on the Winter Jam tour last year, and basically we had the idea [that] how to serve our families while on tour was to use the time on the road to look for a place to write songs and record demos for the new album. What started the process of writing this song, which we co-wrote with Bo and Bear Rinehart of Needtobreathe, started by getting together with the guys for a barbecue. We got together in their home studio and had a jam session that went with Mac's idea of a song based on the idea of 'lift up your head' from the Psalms. We have been really inspired by Needtobreathe's abandon musically and this song ended up really setting the tone for the record. By working with another 'southern' rock band from South Carolina, we got to show our Georgia roots musically with a 'gospel' sound. We wanted this album to have a southern accent musically."
  • Anderson discussed the song's message with NewReleaseTuesday: "The big message of the song is 'salvation is calling.' There is power for everyone. Whether you've put all of your trust in Jesus or not, salvation is a theme on the whole album. All that really matters is where we stand with Christ. At the end of our lives, all of our album sales and awards will mean nothing. All that really matters is where we stand with Jesus. When I'm asked when I got saved, I answer 8:30 this morning. I think it's important to make that commitment daily and remember that I'm a sinner and I need to lift up my face to God, repent and choose Him as my Savior."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.