King of Kings (Hillsong song) explained

King of Kings
Type:single
Artist:Hillsong Worship
Album:Awake
Genre:Contemporary worship music
Length:4:25
Label:Hillsong Music Australia
Producer:Michael Guy Chislett · Brooke Ligertwood
Prev Title:Who You Say I Am
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Awake My Soul
Next Year:2020

"King of Kings" is a contemporary worship song by Hillsong Worship and is the lead single from their twenty-eighth album, Awake. Released on 12 July 2019,[1] it was written by Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, and Jason Ingram[2] and produced by Michael Guy Chislett and Brooke Ligertwood.

Background

Speaking with Worship Together, Scott Ligertwood shared that "King of Kings" was written when they met in Nashville, Tennessee. Ingram wrote the melody and Brooke Ligertwood wrote the lyrics, which focus on the gospel and the birth of the early church.[3]

About the song, Brooke Ligertwood said:[4]

The Gospel is a now reality that requires a now response. It should never be treated or viewed as a relic - no matter how reverently one might err in that direction. With origins before time and echoes beyond it, it stands at the intersection of eternity and our every-day present and beckons, urges, demands us to look. Look at the Christ, the Son of God - bloodied for your sin and the sin of all humanity - repent and believe and take your place in the story of all stories - the story of the King of Kings.
The song was inspired by Biblical passages found in Revelation 19:16 and Philippians 2:9-11, capturing the sovereignty and exaltation of Jesus from humility to victory.[5]

Composition

"King of Kings" is composed in the key of D major. The song has a tempo of 68 BPM, with a time signature of 4/4.[6]

Music videos

The lyric video for "King of Kings" was published the same day the song was released (12 July),[7] and the live music video, recorded during the 2019 Hillsong Conference, premiered on 5 August;[8] both videos were published on YouTube. On 27 February 2020, the Spanish lyric video for the song was released, titled "Rey De Reyes".[9] On 3 August 2020, a video showing Brooke Ligertwood singing the song at Passion 2020 was published.[10]

Awards and nominations

Awards
YearOrganizationAwardResultRef
2020GMA Dove AwardsSong of the Year[11]
Worship Recorded Song of the Year

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)Position
US Christian Songs (Billboard)[13] 63
Chart (2020)Position
US Christian Songs (Billboard)[14] 41
US Christian AC (Billboard)[15] 50

Notes and References

  1. Web site: King of Kings - Single by Hillsong Worship. 30 June 2020. Apple Music. en-us.
  2. Web site: SongSelect by CCLI. 30 June 2020. songselect.ccli.com. en.
  3. Web site: 26 July 2019. Here's a Look at the Theology Behind Hillsong Worship's New Song 'King of Kings'. 30 June 2020. RELEVANT Magazine. en-US.
  4. Web site: Hillsong Worship Releases New Single, King of Kings. 10 August 2020. www.jesusfreakhideout.com.
  5. Web site: 12 February 2024 . Unveiling the Deeper Narrative of King of Kings by Hillsong Worship . 4 March 2024 . reallyabout.net.
  6. Web site: King of Kings by Hillsong Worship. 30 June 2020. www.multitracks.com . en.
  7. Web site: King of Kings Lyric Video - Hillsong Worship. 12 July 2019. YouTube . 1 July 2020.
  8. Web site: King of Kings (Live) - Hillsong Worship. 5 August 2019. YouTube . 1 July 2020.
  9. Web site: Rey De Reyes (Official Lyric Video) - Hillsong Worship and Hillsong En Español. 27 February 2020. YouTube . 3 July 2020.
  10. Web site: 3 August 2020. King of Kings (Live at Passion 2020) - Hillsong Worship. 10 August 2020. YouTube.
  11. Web site: 2020 Nominees The 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards . . 20 September 2020 . 13 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210813132446/https://doveawards.com/2020-nominees/ . dead .
  12. Web site: Hot Singles Chart The Official New Zealand Music Chart . Recorded Music New Zealand Limited . 3 March 2022.
  13. Web site: Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2019 . Billboard. 2 July 2020.
  14. Web site: Hot Christian Songs - Year-End Billboard . . Billboard-Hollywood . 5 December 2020.
  15. Web site: Christian AC Songs - Year-End Billboard . . Billboard-Hollywood . December 5, 2020.