Songs for a New Generation

Description

Songs for a New Generation, sub-titled A selection of contemporary praise and worship songs from the Songs For A New Generation songbook, is the fifth full-length album by the British dance/pop group Heartbeat, released on Myrrh Records in 1989.

This album opened up the praise and worship genre to the pop-dance sensibilities that the band had developed since their tilt at the charts. The theme of locking joyful paeans of praise to pumping dance rhythms was even more developed in I Will Speak Out – Songs For A New Generation Vol. Two, which contained in “The Chant” a piece of fully orbed house music which showed all kinds of exciting directions where Heartbeat might have been taking praise music in the future.

Songs For A New Generation brings together songs that are musically, lyrically and culturally more relevant to young people. This is not to say that the songs are all new or even rock orientated. It is more a collection of old and new songs that contain an element about them which we have generally found works well within the youth culture. Many of the songs also reflect a heart for revival which can help to give a new vision and direction to a generation of young an potentially dynamic Christian disciples. [CD liner notes]

After the mainstream impact of their previous album ‘The Winner‘ with its charting single «Tears From Heaven», Heartbeat released ‘Songs For A New Generation’ in 1989 and it took the group in a completely fresh direction. In an era ahead of the outbreak of the modern worship phenomenon, this really was a cutting edge idea. Featuring brand new worship material and fashioning it within a modern pop vibe, the band helped to herald a new contemporary style of worship. There are a few of songs here that became hits in what were dubbed the “new churches” and slowly spread beyond. «We Are More Than Conquerors», «Jesus, We Celebrate Your Victory» and «Hosanna» were all helped by their inclusion here. The album was accompanied by music book which also served as a resource to the church. For me, I always thought the beautiful ballad «I Surrender» with a great vocal by Sue Rinaldi was a real winner here. Overall, this was an ambitious and far sighted release that showed how much Bristol’s New Generation Ministries had their fingers on the pulse. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, May 2010]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “I’m Yours” – 3:42
A2. “Who Shall Go?” – 3:25
A3. “Jesus We Celebrate” – 3:56
A4. “We Are More Than Conquerors” – 4:02
A5. “I Want To Thank You Lord” – 3:26
A6. “I Surrender All” – 2:47

Side Two
B1. “Come Breath of Life” – 3:30
B2. “Lord of Our Lives” – 3:35
B3. “Stir My Heart” – 4:12
B4. “The Battle Belongs To The Lord” – 3:00
B5. “Hosanna” – 3:15
B6. “Heal Our Nation” – 3:46