Everyone loves the story of the “young phenom” rising out of nowhere, with a powerful voice and soulful chords. Not only is there no shortage of powerful female vocalists in the CCM industry as well as secular pop, look no further than the long running success of American idol where often times young talent is plucked up from obscurity and given a ticket to stardom. However, as much as we may love the fresh-faced talent, there’s also something about those artists who are “late bloomers” in life, who go through the school of hard knocks to get there through sheere grit and determination and prove that they have just as much talent, skill, and poise as the young artist.
This was the case for Nichole Nordeman, who first emerged onto the CCM scene at the “tender age” of 30, after years working as waitress out in California. Her haunting vocals on the modern classic “How Deep the Fathers’ Love For Us” by Stuart Townend,perfectly conveys the contemplative reflection at the love God showed us by sending his Son to die for us, while her vocals on “We Fall Down” capture the sense of wonder, awe and majesty in beholding Jesus and a lying down all glory and honor to Him and singing praises to His Name. Songs about Narnia, especially ones focusing on the characters need to be able to reflect the mystery, wonder, and awe of the story, and not just the magic and adventure.
She’s also an excellent collaborator in the CCM industry. To date she’s recorded songs with Erin O’Donnell, Bethany Dillon, and Selah. She was even coauthor on the album Music Inspired by The Story, a concept album project in which every song on was meant to tell the story of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation with a rotating list of all-star names in CCM including Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin Steven Curtis Chapman, Francesca Battistelli, Mandisa and Peter Furler. The album even saw Nordeman performing “I’m With You” that told the story of Ruth and Naomi with Amy Grant. Nordeman’s voice perfectly captured the youth and reliance of Ruth with the weariness that Grant was able to give to Naomi and capture the beautiful friendship of two of the key women of Scripture.
With this collaborative spirit in mind, it’s no wonder then that Nordeman ends up contributing to the Inspired soundtrack the song of the third Pevensie sibling, making this effectively Susan’s song. It would be very easy given Susan’s fate in The Last Battle to focus on the characters eventual materialism and downfall, but that is not the case here, and Nordeman instead focuses on Susan as presented in the novel. This is someone of whom Edmund said, “Stop acting like mom”, and when they first arrive in Narnia, she’s the one who not only suggests practical steps but almost insist upon turning back in the face of danger.
It’s not that Susan is shallow or ditzy. She’s a young woman, forced to grow up to fast, and these are very real threats she’s facing. A song about her isn’t going to reflect on who she becomes, but who she is. A careful, thoughtful, motherly figure with a gentle heart, and this song captures it perfectly. There’s a gentleness to Nordeman’s voice that perfectly juxtaposes the strength or valiance in Rebecca St. James for “Lion”, the defiance of David Crowder in “Turkish Delight”, and the earnest rugged plea of Jeremy Camp in “Open up Your Eyes”.
After all, this is Queen Susan the gentle we are talking about, so there should be something softer, a little more melodic and almost motherly to her voice. At the same time, in the chorus, Nordeman perfectly captures both Susan’s wonder but skepticism of this place. Nothing is what it seems in Narnia and it does feel like a dream. She’s trying to figure out what is happening, and what’s going on and what she believes all while trying to protect her younger brother and sister like her other asked.
We hear her assessing each sibling’s gifts and abilities, as if making a list and wondering just why they of any of them would be chosen to free a world not their own. It isn’t a task she would have chosen for herself, especially given that “Helen Pevensie” sent her children way to protect them .But despite her doubts, Nordeman affirms that within that gentle spirit lies a willingness to rest in Aslan’s promises and believe in Him and his plan, even if she doesn’t understand it, just as well all should.
Retro Narnia Rocks! Playlist
Side A: “I Will Believe”
“How Deep The Father’s Love for Us”
Side B: “We Fall Down”
“I’m With You” (Feat. Amy Grant)
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