Grace Thompson
For King & Country, stylised as for KING & COUNTRY (2007–2021) and FOR KING + COUNTRY (2022–present), is a Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. The band's name is derived from the battle cry of English soldiers, who were willing to lay down their lives for their king and country. The duo's music is known to deliver a message while giving glory to God, and their live performances are described as high-energy, with the band members taking their instruments into the crowd and performing amidst the audience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Christian pop |
| Band Members | Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone |
| Albums | Crave, Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong., Burn the Ships, Unsung Hero (The Inspired By Soundtrack) |
| Awards | Grammy award, RIAA Platinum-selling act |
| Citizenship | Australian, American |
| Record Label | Curb Records |
| Movie | Priceless |
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What You'll Learn
- For King & Country is a Christian pop duo
- The band is made up of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone
- Their song Busted Heart (Hold On to Me) peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart
- The duo's music can be uplifting and help people reconnect with God
- For King & Country's live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event
For King & Country is a Christian pop duo
For King & Country, stylised as for KING & COUNTRY (2007–2021) and FOR KING + COUNTRY (2022–present), is a Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. The brothers were born in Australia and emigrated to the United States as children, settling in Nashville.
The duo first released a six-song EP titled "A Tale of Two Towns" under the name Joel & Luke in 2008. Three of those songs ("Missing", "Sane", and "Love's to Blame") appeared on Crave with slightly different melodies and lyrics. In 2009, they signed on with Warner Music Group and changed their name to "For King & Country", inspired by a British battle cry. Their debut album, Crave, was released on 28 February 2012 and received positive reviews from critics. It hit No. 2 on the iTunes Top Christian & Gospel albums on its release date and No. 42 on the overall chart. Crave also peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart and remained on the chart for 41 weeks. It even reached No. 128 on the Billboard 200 chart. Billboard declared the band as one of the "New Artists to Watch" for 2012.
In 2014, they released their second studio album, Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong., which won a Grammy award. The album spent 17 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 13, and reached No. 12 on the Digital Albums Chart. In 2018, they released Burn the Ships, which achieved gold status. The album featured three singles, including "God Only Knows", which achieved platinum status, and "Joy" and "Burn the Ships", which reached gold status. Their song "Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)" was released as a single in 2011 and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart.
The duo has won four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, and a Billboard Music Award. Outside of music, the brothers have a passion for philanthropy, working with Compassion International, a child-sponsor program based in Colorado Springs.
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The band is made up of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone
For King & Country, stylised as for KING & COUNTRY (2007–2021) and FOR KING + COUNTRY (2022–present), is a Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. The brothers were born in Australia and emigrated to the United States as children, settling in the Nashville area.
The band was formerly known as Joel & Luke, as well as Austoville. In 2008, they released a six-song EP titled A Tale of Two Towns under the name Joel & Luke. Three of those songs ("Missing", "Sane", and "Love's to Blame") appeared on Crave with slightly different melodies and lyrics. The other three songs were Broken Lullabies", "Believe Me Now", "She Believes in Me" and "Something's Gotta Give". In 2009, they signed on with Warner Music Group with Ben Glover as their producer and changed their name to For King & Country, inspired by a British battle cry.
In 2011, they released their self-titled EP, For King & Country: The EP. Their song Busted Heart (Hold On to Me) was released as a single and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart. Their debut album, Crave, was released on 28 February 2012. The band was declared by Billboard as one of the "New Artists to Watch" for 2012. American Songwriter described them as "Australia's answer to Coldplay". In 2014, they released their second studio album, Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong., which won a Grammy award. In 2018, they released Burn the Ships, which achieved gold status. The album featured three singles, including "God Only Knows", which achieved platinum status, and "Joy" and "Burn the Ships", which reached gold status.
In addition to their music careers, both brothers hold dual citizenship of Australia and the United States. They have also ventured into acting and filmmaking. Joel Smallbone starred in the 2014 movie Like A Country Song and played the lead role in the 2016 drama Priceless, which was produced by Luke and directed by their brother Ben. The brothers also wrote several songs for the film, which partly explains the four-year gap between their second and third albums. They have since worked on other films, including Unsung Hero, about their mother, and a musical titled The Drummer Boy.
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Their song Busted Heart (Hold On to Me) peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart
For King & Country, stylised as for KING & COUNTRY (2007–2021) and FOR KING + COUNTRY (2022–present), is a Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. The brothers were born in Australia and emigrated to the United States as children, settling in Nashville. Their song "Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)" was released as a single in 2011 and peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart. It was described as "really a universal cry of humanity for something greater than ourselves...We think we've got it all sorted out, and life will deal you those blows."
"Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)" was the fastest-rising single of 2011 in their genre, climbing the Top 10 for weeks. The duo's debut album, Crave, was released on 28 February 2012. The album hit No. 2 on the iTunes Top Christian & Gospel albums on its release day and No. 42 on the overall chart. It peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart and remained on the chart for 41 weeks. It also reached No. 128 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The song "Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)" is performed by Luke Smallbone, with the chorus featuring both Luke and Joel Smallbone. The lyrics convey a sense of weariness and uncertainty, acknowledging doubts and expressing a need for guidance and grace. The song resonates with listeners who may be facing similar struggles and seeking a connection with God.
For King & Country's music has had a significant impact on Christian music charts and has been well-received by critics. Their songs often explore themes of faith, doubt, and the human condition within the context of a relationship with God. The duo has released multiple albums and singles, with their music described as "inspirational" and their live performances as "epic".
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The duo's music can be uplifting and help people reconnect with God
For King & Country, stylised as for KING & COUNTRY (2007–2021) and FOR KING + COUNTRY (2022–present), is a Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. The brothers were born in Australia and emigrated to the United States as children, settling in the Nashville area. Their music is Christian and inspirational, and they have been described as "Australia's answer to Coldplay".
In an interview, Luke Smallbone shared how their music can transform someone's condition in a matter of minutes, giving a glimpse of what Heaven must be like. He said:
> "Someone could be going through a very, very typical thing in their lives, and you can play a song, and it can go for about three minutes and 30 seconds, and all of a sudden, something in that space transforms who they are...I think it develops people spiritually... I think it's very, very rare when you see someone with a great joy who is singing songs to God, that they are struggling or barely making it."
The duo's music has been described as a "great connector" and a "great uniter", bringing people together despite their differences. Their song "God Only Knows" is a testament to this, with fans sharing how it has helped them feel less alone and loved during difficult times. The song's message of hope and love has resonated deeply with listeners, offering a sense of comfort and community.
Through their uplifting music and powerful lyrics, For King & Country have created a space for people to reconnect with God and find solace in their faith. Their music serves as a reminder of God's love and the hope that comes with it, helping listeners feel less alone in their struggles and more connected to something greater than themselves.
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For King & Country's live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event
For King & Country, stylised as for KING & COUNTRY (2007–2021) and FOR KING + COUNTRY (2022–present), is a Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. The band's live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event, with their performances wowing sold-out crowds in the US, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Their live performances offer a well-balanced mix of old and new songs, with creative flair and genuine mini-conversations during interludes from each brother, adding a unique touch to the evening.
The duo is one of the music industry's most decorated acts, with four GRAMMY Awards, an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, and 17 K-LOVE Fan Awards under their belt. Their 13 No. 1 songs have generated an impressive 2 billion career streams. Their RIAA Platinum-selling act and live performances continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
The brothers' Christian faith is central to their music and lives, with their songs often carrying universal themes and messages that resonate with audiences. Their song "Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)" peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart and was described as "a universal cry of humanity for something greater than ourselves." Their music has been praised for its ability to uplift listeners, especially those who enjoy Christian music or seek a way to reconnect with their faith.
For King & Country's live performances offer a supportive and welcoming atmosphere, with the brothers interacting with their audience and showcasing their dynamic relationship. Their concerts cater to a diverse range of attendees, including younger fans, and their music style blends old and new songs with creative flair, making their live show a must-see event for fans of all ages.
The duo's Christmas shows are particularly popular, with their "A Drummer Boy Christmas Live" cinematic experience screening in selected cinemas and bringing their Christmas tour to audiences nationwide. For King & Country's live show is a must-see concert event that continues to wow audiences with its blend of music, creativity, and inspiring messages.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the band members Luke and Joel Smallbone live out a Catholic life singing songs to praise and adore God.
The band is a Christian pop duo that is not classified as "worship artists" but rather a rock band. Their music style has been compared to Coldplay's.
Some of their popular songs include "God Only Knows", "Joy", "Burn the Ships", "Run Wild", "Fix My Eyes", "Priceless", "Ceasefire", "Wholehearted", and "Busted Heart (Hold On to Me)".
