Maverick City Music (Feat. Naomi Raine) – The Story I’ll Tell

Maverick City Music is a relative newcomer, forming in 2018.  Unlike other artists, which are either a singular person or features a few members of a band, Maverick City Music exists as a collective of singers.  Think church with the entire audience on stage instead of sitting in chairs or pews.

Maverick City Music released five EP’s and two albums, including:

• Maverick City Vol. 1 EP (2019)
• Maverick City Vol. 2 EP (2019)
• Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 1 (2020)
• Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 2 (2020)
• You Hold It All Together (EP, 2020)
• Maverick City Christmas (EP, 2020)
• Move Your Heart (EP, 2021)

They were nominated last year for two GMA Dove awards, including Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year (Promises) and Gospel Worship Album of the Year (Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 1).

Also, check out my reviews of Man of Your Word, Promises, Refiner and You Keep on Getting Better.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Maverick-city-music-the-story-ill-tell-lyrics.

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.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Maverick City Music is in a dark place.  They don’t understand why God allows them to continue to struggle.  Yet, they believe that one day, God will tell them why.  When that occurs, they will tell others about how God was there with them through the process.  Until then, they will continue to praise and worship God.

While I’m tempted to brand this as another “Word of Faith” song, notice that Maverick City Music doesn’t claim to testify that God will break through everything!  Their testimony is that God won battles.  They don’t say or imply all battles won through faith.

Score: 10/10

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

All of it lines up with the Bible.

[Intro]

Line 1: This song starts with the sounds of Casper the friendly ghost.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-8: Maverick City Music is presently in a dark place, yet, they know that their suffering has a purpose.  One day, God will reveal to them how their pain bettered their character and gave glory to God (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:4-11, and James 1:2-4).

[Pre-Chorus]

Lines 1-4: When the moment comes where God reveals His purpose in their suffering, Maverick City Music will testify to God’s goodness in their temporary gloom, how they waited for God and He was enough  (Lamentations 3:24).  They use imagery from Israel’s crossing of the red sea in Exodus 14:13-31 to describe their faith amid troubled waters.

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2: Combines Intro with themes in Verse 1.

Lines 3 and 4: Maverick City Music knows their testimony and will share it with others.

NOTE: The last iteration of Chorus is a slightly modified version with the same message.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-4: Maverick City Music noticed that when they are helpless, it’s harder to believe.  Yet, when they overcome, they know God is working in their lives.  See commentary on Verse 1.

Lines 5-8: Repeats Verse 1, lines 5-8.

[Bridge]

Lines 1-4: In their present situation, all Maverick City Music can do is praise, pray, and wait.  The term Rock of Ages comes from Isaiah 26:4, which is about God as an everlasting foundation. 1 Corinthians 10:4 calls this rock “Christ”.

The word ‘Hallelujah” is a compound Hebrew phrase, with “hallelu” meaning “a joyous praise in song” and “jah” or “yah”, which refers to the Tetragrammaton YHWH. Put together, we are singing “we joyfully praise God in song” when we use this word.

Lines 5-11: Essentially repeats lines 1-4.

[Outro]

Line 1: Essentially repeats Chorus, line 4.

Line 2: Repeats line 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

This song utilizes everyday language combined with a few religious terms such as God, hallelujah, and Rock of Ages. Unbelievers will likely arrive at a similar conclusion as I, with the latter two terms pointing to either Christianity or Judaism, with Christianity the more likely option.

Some unbelievers will not identify with a God who doesn’t fail, especially when they prayed and did not receive what they asked.  To address this, it would be helpful to include a statement such as “if you say no to me, I’ll praise you” to minister to these individuals.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God when Maverick City Music tells others about the great things God does in their lives.  This includes how He was there amid their turmoil.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Maverick City Music’s The Story I’ll Tell is, as the title suggests, about a story.  Specifically, an unwritten story where God is with Maverick City Music.  Upon victory, they will testify to others how God was there and defeated their foe, bringing Him glory.  Unbelievers will interpret similarly, though some will misunderstand a God that doesn’t fail.

This song contains a mix of testimony and praise.  I’m on the fence about recommending it for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: The Story I’ll Tell (listen to the song)

Artist: Maverick City Music

Album: Maverick City Vol. 3 – Part 2

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2020

Duration: 7:16

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