Discovering the Nucleus of His Songs
Benjamin William Hastings’ deeply personal creative process
If you’ve ever listened to Hillsong United, you’ve likely felt the impact of Benjamin William Hastings’ songwriting. His ability to capture deep, spiritual truths in music speaks to hearts worldwide. He spoke with Family Life Radio about his creative process and the personal themes that shape his music.
For Benjamin, the heart of a song is crucial. “The thing that I care about most with songs is the nucleus—the heartbeat of what the song is trying to say.” The core truth must be uncovered and conveyed authentically.
Benjamin often finds this nucleus through a unique method: singing random melodies and gibberish until something meaningful emerges. It’s a process of discovery, fishing for that one idea that matters.
Interestingly, this nucleus often evolves as the song develops. Benjamin describes how, as he delves deeper into a song, new layers and meanings emerge. “The more you get into the song, the more you learn about that thing, and maybe the more that develops, grows or evolves as you’re digging.” This shapes the song and also mirrors his own spiritual growth.
Personal Themes in Music
Benjamin’s songs often reflect his personal struggles. For instance, his song “While I’m in the Wind” deals with the hardships of being away from family. “It’s taken from one of those lines, ‘If the wind goes where you said it, so will I.’ And I kind of unpack how hard it is to be away from the kids and kind of some of my fears like, are they going to grow up just thinking I was never there, and will they understand someday?”
Benjamin doesn’t shy away from exploring his faith struggles in his lyrics. In “That’s the Thing About Praise,” he sings, “There’s what I want, and then there’s where I’m at. Every one step forward got me five steps back. And I cried, I called, God knows I prayed. But most days, faith is climbing up a mountain that stayed.”
The lyrics capture the challenging yet rewarding nature of faith, an ongoing journey rather than a destination.
Benjamin’s honesty about not always having the answers can resonate deeply with us.
Benjamin’s approach to songwriting is a testament to the power of authenticity and vulnerability. By uncovering and sharing the core truths of his experiences, he creates music that inspires. As you listen to his songs, consider the journey behind each one—a journey of faith, struggle, and significant discovery in his life and in your own.
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