Publication date: March 31 2008
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OPINION
PHOTO: OFFICIAL LEONA LEWIS WEBSITE
The'Double A' side charity single peaked at number 2 in the national charts... What's that got to do with the gospel...?
You probably already know that one
of the songs from LEONA LEWIS' recent double A single, FOOTPRINTS
IN THE SAND, was the official song for SPORT RELIEF.
It was her first release of 2008 in the UK and both tracks (the other
being BETTER IN TIME) are taken from her massive number one album
SPIRIT.
IN THE SAND, was the official song for SPORT RELIEF.
It was her first release of 2008 in the UK and both tracks (the other
being BETTER IN TIME) are taken from her massive number one album
SPIRIT.
It came in at number six in yesterday's charts, helping to raise funds for the charity.
Money raised through SPORT RELIEF is spent by COMIC RELIEF to help vulnerable people living
incredibly tough lives both at home in the UK and across the world's poorest countries.
LEONA herself travelled to South Africa as part of the project, an experience which is reported to
have changed her outlook on life:
The concept of 'FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND' will be familiar to many Christians, as it's taken from
the popular poem describing Christ's eternal support even when His presence isn't necessarily
evident.
However this version (almost inevitably, due to its mass-appeal intention, I suppose) focuses on
the more generic, 'inspirational' aspect of the poem, other than something overtly Christian.
Money raised through SPORT RELIEF is spent by COMIC RELIEF to help vulnerable people living
incredibly tough lives both at home in the UK and across the world's poorest countries.
LEONA herself travelled to South Africa as part of the project, an experience which is reported to
have changed her outlook on life:
The concept of 'FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND' will be familiar to many Christians, as it's taken from
the popular poem describing Christ's eternal support even when His presence isn't necessarily
evident.
However this version (almost inevitably, due to its mass-appeal intention, I suppose) focuses on
the more generic, 'inspirational' aspect of the poem, other than something overtly Christian.
Sometimes you will see an advert on TV and you'll think about it for five minutes,
and then you kind of switch over and you switch off and don't think about it
anymore. But these are not just faces, they're people...
and then you kind of switch over and you switch off and don't think about it
anymore. But these are not just faces, they're people...
Being charitable...
I'm not sure if LEONA is a Christian or not (and to be honest it doesn't matter in this
context anyway), but invariably I suspect there will be a few people that might either
take exception to the Christian element of the lyric being entirely omitted, and as a result
not support the project for that (or similar) reason. And that's cool. Each to their own.
Personally, I think it's a worthwhile cause.
You're reading about this on this site for two main reasons:
- Firstly, I'd like to think that as Christians we might have a natural propensity to
support a charitable effort like SPORT RELIEF.
- Secondly - and more relevant for UKGospel.com - vocal choir support was provided by
TUFF SESSIONS, the vocal company set up LAWRENCE JOHNSON. They've done work
for pretty much every major UK artist you can think of. If you want a 'Christian' angle,
there it is right there...
And - assuming you don't know who LAWRENCE JOHNSON is - all I can say is that
LAWRENCE is one of UK gospel's best, a co-founder member of the LONDON COMMUNITY
context anyway), but invariably I suspect there will be a few people that might either
take exception to the Christian element of the lyric being entirely omitted, and as a result
not support the project for that (or similar) reason. And that's cool. Each to their own.
Personally, I think it's a worthwhile cause.
You're reading about this on this site for two main reasons:
- Firstly, I'd like to think that as Christians we might have a natural propensity to
support a charitable effort like SPORT RELIEF.
- Secondly - and more relevant for UKGospel.com - vocal choir support was provided by
TUFF SESSIONS, the vocal company set up LAWRENCE JOHNSON. They've done work
for pretty much every major UK artist you can think of. If you want a 'Christian' angle,
there it is right there...
And - assuming you don't know who LAWRENCE JOHNSON is - all I can say is that
LAWRENCE is one of UK gospel's best, a co-founder member of the LONDON COMMUNITY
GOSPEL CHOIR and after that, NU COLOURS - among other hugely serious things.
Needless to say, the UK gospel community has always supported great causes from way
back when - get to know.
You can do your bit and buy the single. Your cash is going to do someone some good.
As with things of this nature there are numerous spin-off projects providing a range of
reasons to get involved: log on to the YOU GIVE ME STRENGTH website to share your
own stories of overcoming hardships and/or a bit about the people that inspire you.
By the way - you can still donate to SPORT RELIEF.
I also have THREE COPIES OF THE SINGLE TO GIVE AWAY, and all I need is for you to
send an email with your full postal address to info@ukgospel.com with the subject line
'LEONA LEWIS GIVEAWAY' - deadline: 30th April 2008.
If you click on the 'enter' link below even that gets done automatically for you.
Needless to say, the UK gospel community has always supported great causes from way
back when - get to know.
You can do your bit and buy the single. Your cash is going to do someone some good.
As with things of this nature there are numerous spin-off projects providing a range of
reasons to get involved: log on to the YOU GIVE ME STRENGTH website to share your
own stories of overcoming hardships and/or a bit about the people that inspire you.
By the way - you can still donate to SPORT RELIEF.
I also have THREE COPIES OF THE SINGLE TO GIVE AWAY, and all I need is for you to
send an email with your full postal address to info@ukgospel.com with the subject line
'LEONA LEWIS GIVEAWAY' - deadline: 30th April 2008.
If you click on the 'enter' link below even that gets done automatically for you.
More ways to support...
First three answers in get it. Simple as that.
I'll end by saying this: do your bit to support. You know as well as I do: if you look hard
enough, there'll always be a reason for you NOT to. The challenge is to rise above that.
Your choice.
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UK Gospel.com
I'll end by saying this: do your bit to support. You know as well as I do: if you look hard
enough, there'll always be a reason for you NOT to. The challenge is to rise above that.
Your choice.
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UK Gospel.com
LINKS & CREDITS
> Official LEONA LEWIS website
> Sport Relief website
> You Give Me Strength website
> LEONA on her trip to South Africa for Sport Relief (BBC Newsbeat)
> Tuff Sessions
ENTER COMPETITION FOR FREE CDs (one per address - free delivery)
> Sport Relief website
> You Give Me Strength website
> LEONA on her trip to South Africa for Sport Relief (BBC Newsbeat)
> Tuff Sessions
ENTER COMPETITION FOR FREE CDs (one per address - free delivery)
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