Kid Rock Turns Scripture Into Song With “James 1:17 (Jesus Is King)”
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Kid Rock is embracing his faith in a new way, releasing a collection of Christian music that marks a notable new chapter in his career.
The singer, whose real name is Robert Richie, debuted a cover of Cody Johnson’s hit song “‘Til You Can’t” at the Turning Point USA alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show. He included a new verse he was called to write, which turned it into Christian Song.
Kid Rock released the studio version on February 9th and it went #1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. Additionally, it reached #14 on the Hot Country Songs chart and #9 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
After his rendition of “‘Til You Can’t,” Kid Rock was inspired to write more songs of that vein.
“I started writing more songs,” he said. “I decided to write the songs that I kind of wanted to. celebrate Jesus and my faith which are rock ‘n’ roll, country, and hip hop.”
Kid Rock Releases First Song Off New Christian Album
On Wednesday (September 30) in an Instagram video, Kid Rock revealed the first song off his new album would be released on October 1st.
He started the video by reciting the opening verse of his new song:
“I have wandered through the ages and flipped through all your pages / every stage of life I’ve run through, I refuse to compromise. / I’ve been locked up in your cages and my sins became contagious but when I got right with Jesus Christ I found things that money can’t buy.”
He then told a story about how he wrote the song, saying, “I got out of bed around 2am one morning and about 30 minutes later I had this song. It’s called ‘James 1:17 (Jesus Is King).'”
In a previous video, Kid Rock revealed he was called to the verse James 1:17 because his middle name is James and his birthday in January 17.
In the NIV translation of the Bible, James 1:17 reads, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Kid Rock revealed the accompanying music video will be released on Thursday, October 1st at 7pm ET and it will have some “very special people…who had a real significance to this song and the album to follow.”
His “‘Til You Can’t” video featured holographic images of his friends and family, including his son, Robert James Ritchie Jr., and his granddaughter, Skye.
He ended the video by saying, “Remember, if it’s real, you’ll feel it. Rock on and God Bless.”
Kid Rock Anounces Album Name & Release Date
Along with the new song, Kid Rock directed fans to his website to see the new album artwork, release date, and more information.
The album is titled Halfway To Jesus and will be released October 17th. The album artwork depicts Kid Rock climbing up a mountain towards a cross with the devil at the bottom of the hill.
Take a look at the track listing below.
Take a listen to “James 1:17 (Jesus Is King)” below.
Kid Rock Drops Inspiring Music Video
On October 1st, Kid Rock released the music video on his official YouTube page.
He dedicated the video to Jimmie Bones, Kid Rock’s longtime keyboardist, who has been battling ALS, and Kalvin Lynch, a 17-year-old fan who was diagnosed with an aggressive and inoperable brain tumor called DIPG. Kalvin’s Make-A-Wish request was to play the drums with Kid Rock.
The music video begins with Kid Rock on stage at his honky tonk in Nashville with the crowd chanting, “Jesus is King!”
The video cut to him giving money to a busker on the street before inviting him and his friends to a “revival.”
As the band plays the musical intro on stage, we get a close up and see that playing the drums is Kalvin Lynch!
The busking musician becomes a Christ follower upon arriving at the “revival,” but his girlfriend is skeptical. Over time, she becomes a follower as well and even gets baptized in the middle of the crowd.
The video ends with a clip of The Miraculous Love Kids singing the song together while in hiding in Pakistan. Find out more information about the group here.
Watch the music video below.
