Popstar and rapper collaborate in new single, “Holy”
By Kathy Williams, Features Assignment Editor
Notorious pop star Justin Bieber has turned his life around while keeping a similar theme throughout all of his music. His single “Holy” has the familiar pop and R&B sounds that his audience is used to but showcases his maturity through the lyrics.
Bieber’s single “Holy,” featuring Chance the Rapper, was released with a music video on Sept. 18. Prior to this release, Bieber’s latest large-scale project was his album “Changes” which helped his fans transition to seeing his spiritual side. Bieber has since been proclaiming his love for God on various social media platforms but most often on Instagram. He attributed deepening his spiritual relationship partially to his marriage to American model Hailey Baldwin Bieber. “Holy” emphasizes the spiritual growth Bieber has gone through, along with the admiration he has for his wife.
“Holy” makes several nods to religious references within the verses. For example, in the first verse he mentions going down to the river which parallels the Christian story of Jesus being baptized in the River Jordan. Chance, who has featured gospel tunes and religious references in his mixtape “Coloring Book,” appears in verse three to proclaim his relationship with God. In this verse, Chance makes references to the Christian sacrament of holy communion and ends the verse by stating, “I know we believe in God, and I know God believes in us.”
Choosing to work with Chance again was a strategic move made by Bieber. Bieber and Chance have collaborated on songs in the past such as Bieber’s “Confident” and Chance’s “Juke Jam.” Since the release of “Coloring Book” and the marriage to his wife Kirsten Corley, fans of Chance had perceived him as a deeply spiritual person which was fitting for “Holy.” His rapping abilities also complemented the devotional-like sounds Bieber produced in the chorus.
The chorus of “Holy” can be perceived with a double meaning. It starts by saying when Bieber is held it feels so holy. The “you” he is singing to in the chorus can be first interpreted as God, meaning when Bieber is devoting himself to God which he feels is his most sacred self. This also fits with him singing about running to the altar because he does not want to waste any time. This could be a reference to Bieber turning away from his past mistakes and being eager to continue his spiritual journey with God.
The second meaning of the chorus could be a reference to how he feels with his wife. In this scenario the “you” he is referring to is his wife. When he is being held by her, he feels as close to God or heaven as he can be on earth. Running to the altar to waste no more time in this version can be viewed as Bieber going to the altar for marriage after finding his true love.
Many music celebrities have been turning to spiritual and gospel themes in their works such as Kanye West, Chance and now Bieber. “Holy” may be the stepping stone for Bieber to reshape his image and produce a new era of music.
williakp18@bonaventure.edu.edu
