Photo by Shilmar on Pixabay
I mentioned during my review of Old Church Choir my desire to review Zach Williams’ Chain Breaker. Given its abysmal Biblical failure, I hesitated to review this song. That is, until I was requested to review Fear is a Liar, which received a more favorable rating.
Williams’ inspiration for Chain Breaker comes from Big Daddy Weave’s popular title Redeemed. See Zach Williams’ interview with Way-FM for more information.
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?
Williams asks some pretty genetic questions about pain and suffering and offers hope of a better life. He then goes on to describe some sort of savior, a pain-taker, and chain-breaker, who makes a way and sets prisoners free. It is this person, this “He” to whom some will believe, receive, feel, and will tell others about it.
I understand that many Christ-followers will immediately insert “Jesus” as the “He” in the Chorus. That seems reasonable and it does make sense, especially given Williams’ testimony. However, he could have been a lot more clear about it.
Score: 7/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Given its vague lyrics, biblical review is elusive at best. I will assume that “He” refers to “Jesus” and evaluate accordingly.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
If you’re been walking the same old road for miles and miles
If you’ve been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies
If you’re trying to fill the same old holes inside
There’s a better life, there’s a better life
There is hope for those who are hurting, broken, have been told lies, and feel a void inside their hearts; However, what is this hope that is offered? Who offers it? Let us look to the Chorus for answers.
[Chorus]
If you’ve got pain, He’s a pain taker
If you feel lost, He’s a way maker
If you need freedom or saving, He’s a prison-shaking Savior
If you got chains, He’s a chain breaker
We have a partial answer from questions raised in Verse 1: this person, this “He”, Jesus, will take away the pain, makes a way, shakes prisons, and is some sort of savior who breaks chains (Psalm 116:16, Mark 5:8, Romans 6:20, and Galatians 5:1), if this “He” is Jesus; however, that is only due to the usage in capitalization and Williams’ commentary.
[Verse 2]
We’ve all searched for the light of day in the dead of night
Ok, what is this “light of day”? Williams is not clear.
We’ve all found ourselves worn out from the same old fight
What fight is that? Physical? Spiritual? Once again, Williams is ambiguous.
We’ve all run to things we know just ain’t right
The closest reference I could find is Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23; However, that assumes that the “not right” Williams refers to is sin.
When there’s a better life, there’s a better life
Repeats Verse 1, line 4.
[Bridge]
If you believe it, if you receive it
If you can feel it, somebody testify
Believe what? Receive what? Feel what? Testify to what? The answer is the things Jesus does, as described within the Chorus.
If you believe it, if you receive it
If you can feel it, somebody testify, testify
If you believe it, if you receive it
If you can feel it, somebody testify
Repeats lines 1 and 2 twice.
[Outro]
If you need freedom or saving, He’s a prison-shaking Savior
If you got chains, He’s a chain breaker
Repeats last two lines of Chorus.
Score: 6/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
There is so much unclarity that I cannot fashion a guess on unbelievers’ perception. I doubt that, aside from outside research, many will understand that Williams probably refers to Jesus. Perhaps this “He” is a metaphor for alcohol recovery or a super-muscular, chain-breaking macho man. I’m partial to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney myself.
Score: 0/10
4. What does this song glorify?
If this song glorifies God at all, it is masked in a heavy cloud of fog, in the rain, and at night.
Score: 3/10
Closing Comments
Zach Williams’ Chain Breaker can be summed up in one word: hazy. While others may find hope in these lyrics and God perhaps is glorified through it, that does not absolve Williams of lackluster songwriting. I find it generic, boring, forgettable, and disappointing.
Final Score: 4.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Chain Breaker (listen to the song)
Artist: Zach Williams
Album: Chain Breaker
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Gospel
Release Year: 2016
Duration: 3:16
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2016 Be Essential Songs (BMI) Upside Down Under (BMI) Anthems of Hope (BMI) Wisteria Drive (BMI) Not Just Another Song Publishing (SESAC) So Essential Tunes (SESAC) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Comments
J
The “chain breaker” part reminded me of Isaiah 61. I see your preferred version doesn’t have”bonds”, so: Isaiah 61:1 KJV
Chip Rawlings
This is a general observation as opposed to a comment regarding this song. I have been leading worship 41 years now and have seen many changes along the way. Notably in the early days of the Vineyard branch off from Maranatha, songs focused on singing “You” versus “He.” The idea was sing to God instead of about God. Of course when you read through Psalms, you will see, “You”, “He”, and even, “The Lord.” So if I sing, “The Lord reigns,” I am singing biblical truth, which is solid content for worship. It’s not necessary to change it to, “You Lord Reign,” to make it more personal. It’s good to acknowledge what God has does in scripture and our lives… He still parts seas, causes blind eyes to see, deaf ears to hear, sets captives free, and yes… continues to break chains. When I hear such a song as this, I say to God, “thank You for breaking my chains.” You set me free! Of course focus needs to point to God, not to me. We don’t change anything about God as we worship, but He certainly changes us. Moses never sought to radiate His glory, rather He simply sought God’s glory. The byproduct was He did end up radiating God’s glory for having spent time with Him. This is still true today… Jesus says we are the light of the world! I appreciate song scrutiny, and may at times agree or disagree, but hopefully those of us here are all seeking to bring our Lord the Highest Praise!
Ronnie
What we have to understand is that there are different types of songs. Not every song that has God in the lyrics is a Gospel song, Christian song, worship song etc, etc. Some of these songs are songs that are completely fine, for example, on your way home from work or on a Saturday drive … HOWEVER, it does not make it appropriate for Sunday mornings/ nights in church with a congregation. You must understand the difference between a worship song for a congregation and an inspirational song for you personally …. There are songs I love and I listen to but they are not appropriate for a congregation.
We must to take in consideration what is my posture during this song .. for example ” I Exalt Thee” as opposed to “I raise a hallelujah, I will sing in the middle of the storm”. “I Exalt Thee” is being sung to God and directly to Him, “I raise a hallelujah” is a an inspirational song because it is being sung about me and what I will do and I am telling what I will do to someone on my level … We are not talking to God, HE is not on our level! If I am worshiping or Praising I am speaking UP to God about God specifically not to someone on my level…speaking to each other about what “I am going to do” is not worship. God does not want to hear WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO, God is a jealous God and HE wants to hear how you feel about Him, Him alone and He wants to hear a heart of Thankfulness for what He has done for us. He will not share His Glory with any man. If the lyrics are written to God about God and how we love and are thankful for Him, it’s appropriate for congregations. If not, it is inspirational at best and inspirational songs are for you personally it is not for a congregation.
Vince Wright
Ronnie,
Thank you for your comments!
Yes, I agree that there’s a difference between congregationally-appropriate songs and inspirational songs. If you look at the bottom of the conclusion for my most recent reviews, I’ve included my recommendation (or lack thereof), which includes songs that are inspirational and not appropriate for corporate worship. The trouble with this song is that it’s unclear; However, that doesn’t mean that it cannot inspire or that God cannot use it.
-Vince Wright
Wendylou
The Holy Spirit has given me the knowledge that this song, and many like it, such as those that come out of Hillsong music and Bethel Church, have their focus set on “The Self” rather than God. It’s a sad day when we’ve become Self Regarding Christians thinking we’re singing worshipping praises to our God.
Alex
I agree with you, worship songs have become “make me feel good” songs. But I don’t think Chain breaker fits, because it’s not actually a worship song, more like a song that’s meant for the unbeliever’s ear.
Ronnie
I am always dumbfounded by the question of how many songs have you written as if to say that if you have not written any songs then you really are unable or even unqualified to test or compare song lyrics to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you have a bible and are a student of the bible and do not take things *out of context*, as “SO MANY” due today to create a basis for their argument, but you have a genuine understanding of the bible because you study it on a regular basis and it is actually a part, very big part, of your life because you Love Jesus Christ and want to know him more than anything else in you life, then you should be more than capable and prepared to test and or compare song lyrics to see if they are a good representation of the Gospel. The question I believe we are asking is this song and others good for corporate worship in church or not. Chain Breaker is not a good corporate worship song and it is not because it is written as if i was talking to you or someone about God. What we sing corporately should be about who HE is, His attributes, His holiness, faithfulness, grace and mercy, His greatness, etc. Chain Breaker is a song for your personal time, especially if you need reminding He can break chains. Breaking Chains is about us and what He can do for us, but corporate Worship should not be about us and what He can do for us, that becomes a selfish position quickly. It should be us proclaiming and declaring His Holiness and Greatness. If the angels are crying Holy Holy Holy continually then what we do corporately should sound similar.
How many songs you have or have not written is not the qualification needed here.
Vince Wright
Ronnie,
I agree! It’s a non-sequitur to conclude that because I’ve never written a song, that it disqualifies me from having an opinion on the matter. It’s like saying I can’t have an opinion about abortion because I’m not a woman, that I can’t have a view on Donald Trump because I’m not a politician, or that I can’t call a bad play because I’ve never played football.
Songwriting is hard work and I don’t envy the job of artists who attempt to stay faithful to the Word of God with a message accessible to unbelievers. That doesn’t mean that they get everything right. Of course, neither do I, demonstrated by the various updates I’ve done in my reviews.
-Vince Wright
Leon Stalls
I’m enjoying your site. Can you provide links to any songs you have written?
Vince Wright
Leon,
Great question! I haven’t written any songs.
-Vince Wright
Alexandru Ioan Ferdean
I find your analysis way to harsh. Yes, Jesus does not appear in this song, nor God specifically, but guess what, neither in the great hymn Amazing Grace! But we all know about what that song is about right? I appreciate that this website exists and I love the ideea to criticize what we sing, but really in this case you went way to far with the low rating.
Vince Wright
Alexandru,
Thank you for your comment! I reviewed Amazing Grace, so feel free to read through it and compare notes. Amazing Grace received a much higher rating.
-Vince Wright
Alex
Yet, how do you know that the song is about God’s grace and not your neighbor’s? It does not specifically say! If you reviewed Amazing grace that high you should also consider doing so with Chainbreaker. For me it’s obvious what the song about. And… Let me add another thing, I was listening to the local radio (in my country) this week, a radio were I never heard a christian song, and I heard some Lyrics from the song You Say by Lauren Daigle. I never heard the song before and didn’t recognize it was Lauren’s voice and I instantly said that this song refers to God.
Vince Wright
Alex,
Stanza’s 4 and 6 makes the case for me, name-dropping “Lord” and “God” as the One to whom provides this Amazing Grace. Especially Stanza 6, which ends the song as God as “forever mine”, connecting grace with God.
I’ve also reviewed Lauren Daigle’s You Say also, rating it higher than this song but lower than Amazing Grace. I don’t dispute that it refers to God; However, I have…other issues with it.
-Vince Wright
Garcia
Hey Vince, have you talked to Zach about this song? What did he say it meant to him when Holy Spirit gave him the song?
Vince Wright
Garcia,
I don’t need to talk to him. He already explained why in this interview. It is based on his testimony. But, that does not resolve the issues I laid out in my review.
-TastyWallet
Todd Marett
Psalms 107:10-17
Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,
for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
they fell down, with none to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and HE delivered them from their distress.
HE brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For HE shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.
Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
tastywallet
Todd,
It’s always wonderful to see Scripture posted; However, what is your point?
-TastyWallet
Randy Rodenborg
Smile. This review makes me wonder if we are scientifically analyzing art. It escapes how the one can criticize the other.
Obviously this song was written primarily for an already believing audience. The non-believers who here are likely to be familiar with American Christianity. I how’ve no idea but I suspect Cain Breaker does not receive much air time on secular stations.
Interestingly, your analysis reminds of the old gospel song “He Walks With Me” (probably wrong tilts. It also never mentions who it is the singer is communing with. Yet it’s popularity remains.
Blessings
Randy
Debbie
If you ever get an opportunity to sing this song with a group of prisoners oh, believe me, you will undoubtably know that they are singing about our Savior. I have seen women come to their knees singing this song crying out to Jesus for their chains to be broken.
Ronnie
Actual that song, “He Walks With Me” DOES mention who the singer is communicating with, the fourth line states “the Son of God Discloses”
Loree A
I disappointed in your review.
If you believe it refers to Mark 11:22-25
Prison shaking and chain breaking refer to Paul and Silas in prison and the whole prison and jailkeeper family got saved.
God is a waymaker (Red Sea, The ram in the thicket, Christ’s sacrifice)
As for asking what fight, it’s different for everyone, physical, spiritual, but everyone has one, even Paul, Romans 7:15-20
Jesus is the Light we all search for
tastywallet
Loree,
Sorry to hear that! While these passages could, in fact, apply, I felt that the lack of clarity on Zach’s part justified the low rating. I understand that this opinion of mind is not popular, but I stand by it.
-TastyWallet