The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #70: Newsboys, Going Public (1994)

Intro

Appearing at #70 in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Newsboys’ Going Public (1994) captures a moment when craft and conviction aligned. It remains a touchstone for how faith can sing with both sincerity and skill.

The Album in Context

Produced in the alt‑pop afterglow of the early ’90s, the album tightened Newsboys’ sound into lean, radio‑first craft. Peter Furler’s rhythmic instincts met lyricist Steve Taylor’s puckish theology, producing songs that winked while they witnessed. The result was kinetic clarity—no wasted bars, no fuzzy ideas.

The record also advanced a modern CCM stagecraft ethos: choreographed energy, crisp backing tracks, and crowd‑conducting breaks. These songs were designed to land in festivals and youth rallies as easily as they did on the dial. Hooks functioned as invitations, and bridges doubled as altar calls with a smile.

Sonically, the band folded Brit‑pop brightness into American pop‑rock punch. Keyboards sparkled around guitar riffs, and drums sat forward without bullying the vocals. It’s a blueprint many followed when they wanted fun that still said something.

Standout Songs

• “Shine” — A career‑defining single that turned sanctification into a swaggering pep talk. Its quotable lyrics and rubber‑band groove carried the band from youth rooms to mainstream awareness.
• “Real Good Thing” — A hook‑happy lesson in grace and justice—clever turns of phrase wrapped in immaculate pop. The chorus proved that catchy doesn’t have to be shallow and that radio can hum along to weighty ideas.
• “Spirit Thing” — Apologetics with a smirk, answering cynicism with melody and movement. The track helped cement the band’s brand: thoughtful, playful, and impossible not to sing.

Why It Matters

Artistically, the album perfected the band’s pop‑apologetics lane—memorable melodies carrying chewy ideas. Its production economy became a template for mid-’90s CCM radio, where three-and-a-half minutes could still feel generous.

Culturally, the project gave youth ministry an arsenal of anthems that felt contemporary without embarrassment. It helped usher in a season where Christian pop could be clever, cool, and catechetical—all before the second chorus.

What’s Next

Tomorrow on The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music countdown, we continue with #69 — Allies’ Long Way From Paradise (1989), AOR craftsmanship with pastoral backbone and vaulted vocals. Be sure to catch the companion podcast episode of The CCM Professor with Greg Rice, where we connect the dots between these landmark recordings.

Soli Deo Gloria!

This post is part of the series The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, celebrating the artists and recordings that defined a generation of faith-filled creativity.

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