Hillsong UNITED – All I Need Is You

Hillsong Church is a megachurch founded in 1983 in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia.  It was formerly led by Hillsong Founder Brian Houston.  Hillsong possesses a massive discography, spanning across four music ministries.  These include Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Worship, Hillsong Young & Free, and Hillsong Kids.

Hillsong has won several awards within their Hillsong UNITED and Hillsong Worship artist groups.  As of this writing, there are no awards for Hillsong Young & Free or Hillsong Kids.

Also, check out my entire list of Hillsong reviews and Christmas songs, Seasons and Prince of Heaven.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Hillsong responds to the Father with praise, worship, surrender, and desire to want more of Him because He:

• Removed fright
• Speaks truth
• Will not abandon them
• Shows His love through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross
• Sanctifies them
• Saves through Jesus
• Is present
• Owns the universe

Side Note: To those annoyed with massive repetition, this doesn’t start until Chorus’ second iteration.  It then follows the following format:

• Chorus: Three lines, four times in a row.
• Interlude: Two lines, twice in a row.  Sounds very similar to Chorus.
• Chorus: Three lines, two times in a row.
• Bridge, five lines, three times in a row.  All begin with the same two words, and the first and third lines are identical, as well as the fourth and fifth lines.
• Chorus: Three lines, five times in a row, followed by the first line.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

The entire song reflects God’s inspired Word.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Left my fear by the side of the road

Scripture calls us to abandon fear (Genesis 15:1, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 115:11, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 54:4, John 14:25-27, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 3:13-14, 1 Peter 5:6-7, and 1 John 4:18).

Hear You speak

His followers hear His voice (John 10:27-28).

Won’t let go

He will not lose those who are His (John 6:39, John 17:12, and John 18:9).

Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray
Got every reason to be here again

Hillsong capitulates to Him (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

Father’s love that draws me in

As shown by His Son that He sent (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).

And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

Much like Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-4, Hillsong wants to see the Lord.

[Chorus]

All I need is You

All other wants, needs, and desires pale in comparison to knowing Him (Philippians 3:8-10).

All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord
All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord

Repeats/essentially repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

One more day and it’s not the same
Your Spirit calls my heart to sing

There are two ways to interpret this:

1. Earthly sanctification process, where Hillsong becomes more and more like Jesus (John 17:19, Romans 8:1, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Philippians 3:9, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 10:10-14, and Hebrews 13:12).
2. Eternal life with Christ after physical death, where Hillsong’s sanctification process will be complete (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11, Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4).

Drawn to the voice of my Saviour once again

See Verse 1, line 2.  Also, this line speaks of the Savior, which is mentioned in Isaiah 45:21-22, Hosea 13:4, Luke 1:47, Luke 2:11, Acts 13:23, 1 Timothy 2:3, Titus 2:13-14, and 1 John 4:14.

Where would my soul be without Your Son

Hillsong would be experiencing eternal separation from God apart from the atoning work of Christ (Matthew 18:7-9, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Romans 6:23, Jude 1:7, and Revelation 14:11).

Gave His life to save the earth

See commentary on Verse 1, line 6.

Rest in the thought that You’re watching over me

Hillsong finds solance in experiencing God’s Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39, and Revelation 3:20).

[Interlude]

Cuz all I need is You
All I need is you
Cuz all I need is You
All I need is you

Repeats/essentially repeats Chorus, line 1.

[Bridge]

You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth

He is Sovereign (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 10:14, Joshua 2:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 50:7-15, Psalm 93:1-2, Psalm 115:3, Psalm 135:6, Isaiah 43:13, Isaiah 45:9-10, Isaiah 46:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:19-21, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 1:8, James 4:15, Revelation 4:11, and Revelation 20:11).

You hold the universe
You hold
You hold
You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold
You hold
You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold
You hold

Repeats/essentially repeats lines 1 and 2.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will think Hillsong needs God.  They said as much directly, mentioning the Father as “You”, that His Son gave His life for the world, and that He holds the universe in His Hands.  All of these point directly to Christianity.  There are a few others points as well, none of which are easily misunderstood, as this song was written in plain English, easily digestable by those who do not yet know Christ.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies the Father for sending His Son to rescue us, causing Hillsong to yield to God’s ways, needing Him more and more each day.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong UNITED’s All I Need Is You is Biblically-based.  It calls us to abandon fear, depend on the Father, thank Him for sending Jesus to save us, listen to His voice, and sing His praises.  These glorify God.  Unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.

Although a bit repetitious for my liking, this song is appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: All I Need Is You (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong UNITED

Album: Look to You

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2005

Duration: 6:27

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*Copyright © 2004 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.