“Shout To The Lord” on American Idol

Hey to all the new folks hitting the blog! I know you’re looking for info on what the heck American Idol was thinking last night with their “Shout To The Lord” performance and I’m sure you’ve got your opinion. Leave a comment and join the conversation! If you want to read more about what I do, click here.

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Was that possibly the most awkward moment in the history of American Idol? Did someone really think that closing the show with “Shout To The Lord” (along with the required key change and confetti!!) was the smartest thing to do?

PS I’m sure lots of you are really upset that they took “Jesus” out of the song. It’s okay – I don’t think he minds being called “shepherd”.

UPDATE: Here’s the video in case you missed it -

UPDATE #2: Okay this story continues to get strange. If you head to the iTunes music store and buy a copy of “Shout To The Lord” as performed by the Top 8 you’ll hear that the studio version leaves Jesus in the first line. I guess Jesus wasn’t ready for prime time.

UPDATE #3: Okay. This post has officially exploded. I think I’ll need to post some of the behind-the-scenes stuff later this week. Most of you who are hitting this site are doing it for the first time and I want you to know that I’m giving away a copy of the new Delirious? CD “Kingdom Of Comfort” over at this post – http://www.chrisfromcanada.com/?p=540 – so leave a comment here, head to that post, leave a comment to be entered in to the draw.

62 Responses to ““Shout To The Lord” on American Idol”

1. Joy says:

   April 11, 2008 at 4:48 pm

   “The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

   Philippians 1:17-18

   Reply
2. cheryl says:

   April 16, 2008 at 9:07 am

   I have spent some time reading these comments – and shame on us “Christians” – no wonder we are so ineffective in this world. We can’t agree on anything. Its a good thing God doesn’t have to get our permission before He steps outside OUR box! That amazing song speaks of the One & Only True God – Jesus, Shepherd, Saviour, Tower of Refuge & Strength, Lord, Comfort, Shelter, King! God is sovereign. He does work in mysterious & surprising ways & the message of that song will hit its mark. You have His Word on that!

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3. Kelli says:

   April 18, 2008 at 1:10 pm

   No one can say Jesus be praised except by the Spirit of God. This was essentially God’s idea. I love how He loves the world so much as to reveal Himself where the people hang out. Tonight is was on American Idol. Not surprising to me that the Giver of all givers shows up on a show that is talking about giving. He is full of great ideas. If you are a member of His body I encourage you to rejoice because He is hard at work to love those He died and rose for. Kudos to you Lord!!!!!

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4. Alastair says:

   April 18, 2008 at 1:14 pm

   “Kudos to You Lord”

   There’s a line I haven’t seen in worship song yet!
   I’ll have the notebook out tonight and see what I can do.

   Alastair.

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5. Chris From Canada says:

   April 18, 2008 at 3:06 pm

   Alastair – Bonus points to anyone who writes a song using lyrics found only in the comments on this page.

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6. alex mclean says:

   April 18, 2008 at 4:20 pm

   Throwing into the mix (and yes I posted the same thing at other blogs – sue me)…

   Well, first off – we are HUGE AI fans (David Cook’s gonna win it).

   1. Musically, I thought they destroyed the song – no good.
   2. Leaving out Jesus – eh, what did you expect?
   3. Just the fact that they chose it? Well, they are about 15 years behind (they should have chosen a United, Tomlin, DCB, or Hall song).
   4. Was it worship? Who are we to judge? God was surely glorified even if it was indirectly. HE gave the song, HE gave talent to sing/play/produce, HE gave the ears to hear, HE allowed it to happen. Even if the 61 million viewers weren’t worshipping the one true God – he was glorified. So for that, I am thankful and excited… even if it wasn’t that great.

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7. Ronnye Jo says:

   April 18, 2008 at 8:57 pm

   There is such power in just hearing the name JESUS. I’m so glad the next night the idols sang “Shout to the Lord” using the name Jesus even though we as Christians know that He is our Shephard. I love it that so many Americans heard the song. Some may have heard it for the first time and heard how Jesus is our Savior. That song paints such a beautiful picture of who our Lord truly is. He is our Shepherd, comforter, tower of refuge and strength and we should never cease to worship Him. So many people in our world today believe there isn’t a God or think there has to be more than one way to God besides Jesus (as Oprah claims). But it does not matter what the world believes. The truth is that Jesus is the only way to God. He is the way, the truth and the life and no man can come to the Father but through Jesus. So, whether they believe it or not “One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” . And those who have confessed their sin and have come to God through Jesus and His shed blood for us on the cross will be singing together “Shout to the Lord”. I pray the idols felt the Spirit of God and that a convicting of their hearts took place as they sang that song because there is power in Jesus’ name.

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8. Bo Lane says:

   April 25, 2008 at 3:56 pm

   Little update from the “evil guy” who started http://www.idolgivesin.com. Now to continue to stir the pot or beat a dead horse, but I assume you heard that the didn’t get permission to change the words. If not, then you just did.

   Josh Harris, pastor/author, wrote this on his blog: “I know the people from Hillsong who negotiated this deal thru Integrity Music, and the word change wasn’t approved, but while they deal with that, they are quite happy the song was song used.”

   Just thought I’d pass it along brothers and sisters.

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9. Faith says:

   May 28, 2008 at 6:34 am

   Jesus says that He will raise even Rocks to praise Him.
   So who are you to determine who has a right to sing about the Lord? for soon every tounge shall confess that Jesus is Lord. its just starting

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10. Chris From Canada says:

    May 28, 2008 at 8:37 am

    Alex – Good call on David Cook!
    Your points –
    1. Agreed – it was a trainwreck
    2. They DID sing Jesus on the studio version and also the next night, so there was definitely something going on
    3. If they were trying to be “contemporary,” yeah. Actually I saw on Crowder’s blog that someone may have wanted to do one of his tunes.
    4. Yeah I’m still not sure on that one but not really spending much time on it, either.

    Ronnye Jo – I was for sure surprised to see them do it again the next night with the original lyrics.

    Bo – Interesting, indeed. I’d love to hear the whole story from people on the inside.

    Faith – I’m not sure who you’re addressing so I don’t really have much to add to your comment.

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11. Bo Lane says:

    June 3, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Chris,

    You need to check out an interview I recently had with Phil Stacey, contestant on American Idol season 6. We asked him about his opinion on the whole Shout to the Lord “controversy.” He has some great insight that I thought you might participate.

    Also, did you happen to get my email the other day?

    Bo-
    http://www.wannabeblog.com

    Reply
12. Fuzu says:

    October 29, 2009 at 12:25 am

    Ooh gosh i just typed a big comment and when i submitted it it came up blank! Please please tell me it worked right? I dont want to write it again if i dont have to! Either the blog bugged out or i am an idiot, the latter doesnt surprise me lol.

    Reply