التخطي إلى المحتوى الرئيسي

"Locked In" by JONATHYN: A Call to Total Surrender


(by Jasper Tan) Looking for a different kind of CCM song? Then Jonathyn's new single "Locked In" might be the one that you are looking for. In this side chain bass-tinged song, Jonathyn delivers a catchy, danceable track that offers a different worship experience. Jonathyn was experimenting with a song using a sidechain bass, grounded in an appealing melody, before the words were added. As someone who's struggling to be a good Christian, Jonathyn instead chose to focus on writing a song that encourages us to be someone who is totally sold and committed to Jesus, rather than just relying on being a good Christian. This theme is drilled into us when he repeatedly sings the lines "Locked in, I'm locked in All in" that feels like we are put in a trance as the words bleed with the hypnotic beats of the sidechaining bass technique used in the song. 

JONATHYN - LOCKED INImagine being on the dance floor while singing to these lines "Locked in, I'm all in, I'm sold out for You again, God, You're showing, You're showing me the way, And I'm all in, All in." It's really taking our worship experience to another level. And if you are a fan of dance music, this song could pretty much compete with similar-sounding secular dance songs. Being a song about our faith is another positive, as we are reminded of our Christian faith while partying to the song. I'm not sure if everyone will ever be ready for these types of CEDM tracks, especially if you are on the traditionally conservative side of CCM. But these types of songs are what I believe would draw interest from the young generation of Christians that we are shepherding to be the next generation of torchbearers of our Christian faith. For the lovers of CEDM, this is a great way to be locked in, beall in, and sold out for Jesus in ways that will re-energize your Christian faith.

(Related scripture: Psalm 40:2; Matthew 22:37; Matthew 5:14; Ephesians 2:10)

Connect with JONATHYN

Would you like to hear more CEDM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Christian Music Today also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://medium.com/christian-music-today/

Tags:

Popular posts

"Is Anybody There? (Psalm 27)" by Stephen M. Miller: Holding On to Grace at Heaven’s Door

Stephen M. Miller's "Is Anybody There? (Psalm 27)" comes in the quiet aftermath of the Christmas celebrations, when reflection can feel like isolation. Stephen's song isn't about polishing away his mistakes, nor does it encourage you to do so with your mistakes. Stephen shares his painful experience, "I never saw it coming Lord // It felt right but it was wrong // Family and friends have left me // But I still have you and a song."   Stephen owns the fallout of his actions, taking accountability without despair. "I said it and I did it, Lord // Broke more hearts than I'll ever know // I can't fix this, though I've tried // Don't be angry, and please don't go." His song is a prayer for God's presence and guidance. "Hear me when I call you, Lord // Don't turn your face away // Don't give up on me like others have // Come help me through this day." Stephen describes a fear that we too experience when we ...
More >>

"Fishers of Men" by Tyler Philip Ratcliffe: Dropping Your Nets and Following Without Looking Back

Jesus doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.  “Fishers of Men” by Tyler Philip Ratcliffe was written back in July of 2024. It was the first Christian folk-style song that Tyler had ever written, and he had no idea at the time that God was going to pull him in that direction. It’s a favorite among his friends and family, and God recently laid it on his heart to share it with the rest of the world.  The song draws from the ordinary moments when Jesus walked up to fishermen and tax collectors and said two words that changed everything: “Follow Me.”   What strikes you in the lyrics is the honesty. “My friends thought I was crazy, and my folks just shook their heads.” Following Jesus has always looked strange from the outside. Peter left a fishing business. Matthew walked away from a lucrative government post. Neither of these men had it all figured out, but they simply responded to a call they couldn’t ignore.  Maybe you also know that feeling. The moment ...
More >>

"Born Again" by PeterLs: One Decision, One Lifetime of Walking With Jesus

Some choices mark the beginning of an entirely different life.   In a small Polish town called Podkowa Leśna, a choice was made that PeterLs has never stopped celebrating. Twenty-two years ago, he stepped into the waters of baptism and came out a different person. “Born Again” is his testimony — honest, grateful, and filled with the kind of faith that continues to grow. “Twenty-two years ago, I chose the life, to follow Jesus, day and night.” This isn’t a song that celebrates that specific moment twenty-two years ago; it’s a celebration of every moment since then!  The song has an interesting detail that is worth pointing out. The total duration of the song is 3:16, which in turn is a deliberate nod to John 3:16. This is the scripture where Jesus told a Pharisee named Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Eternal life isn’t something you can earn. It’s something you recei...
More >>