Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

2013 song by Hillsong United

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

Single by Hillsong United
from the album  Zion
Released| 23 August 2013 (2013-08-23)
Recorded| 2012
Genre| Worship
Length| 8:55 (Album version)
4:09 (Radio version)
4:19 (Spanish version)
Label|

* Hillsong
* Capitol CMG

Songwriter(s)|

* Matt Crocker
* Joel Houston
* Salomon Ligthelm

Producer(s)| Michael Guy Chislett
Hillsong United singles chronology
| "Scandal of Grace"
(2013)  | "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"
(2013)  | "Touch the Sky"
(2015)

|
|

Music videos
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Lyric Video" on YouTube
"Océanos (Donde Mis Pies Pueden Fallar)" on YouTube
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (Radio Version) on YouTube
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (From the Zion Acoustic Sessions) on YouTube
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (From of Dirt and Grace)" on YouTube
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (Live at Colour Conference)" on YouTube
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (Live in Israel)" on YouTube
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (Live at Hillsong Conference)" on YouTube

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" is a song by Australian worship group Hillsong United. It was released on 23 August 2013 as the second and final single from their third studio album, Zion (2013).[1] The song is led by Taya Smith, and was written by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston and Salomon Ligthelm, with production being handled by Michael Guy Chislett.[2][3]

In the United States, the song spent a record 61 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. In the year-end summaries, it was the chart's No. 1 song in 2014 and 2016, No. 2 in 2015, and No. 10 in 2017. Billboard ranked it as the No. 1 Christian song of the 2010s decade. The song was certified quadruple platinum in the United States and widely considered to be one of the most popular CCM songs of all time.[4]

## Writing and background

[edit]

The song ideas began early in the production of the album. Crocker worked with Ligthelm later back in Australia to write more of the lyrics and Ligthelm helped deciding that the theme of the song should be about stepping into the unknown and Peter having blind trust to walk on water. Much of the melody was written over the course of 10 days at Houston's apartment in New York.[5][6] The last lyrics were written at a waterfall on the final day of recording.[5]

The song was recorded by singer Taya Smith who sang many parts of the song in one take.[5]

## Awards

[edit]

The song won many of the main categories at the 2014 GMA Dove Awards. It won the "Song of the Year", "Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year", "Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year", "Worship Song of the Year", and Hillsong United was named the "Artist of the Year".[7] In turn, the Australian group was the winner in the Top Christian Artist category and the song "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" was chosen as Top Christian Song at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.[8]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Ryan Barbee of Jesus Freak Hideout said "'Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)' continues [the album] with a more intimate tone and will surely grasp the heart of the listener as the song reiterates, 'Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders [sic], let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me'. The music builds and builds to a gorgeous climax that will pull on your heartstrings whilst being encouraged by the faith that only the Holy Spirit can give."[9] Louder Than the Music's Jono Davies stated "[Oceans] has a stunning orchestral opening before out of nowhere a voice hits you. The voice is stunning, yet haunting, all in the same breath. The song then builds musically from atmospheric haunting tones to sheer epicness. I can hear people just getting lost in worship at a Hillsong conference to this song."[10]

In 2021, Dutch DJ group Dash Berlin created a remix of the song.[11] Hungarian artist Ekhoe sampled the song in his 2023 song Százszorszép.[12]

## Chart performance

[edit]

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, and stayed atop of the charts for 45 consecutive weeks until it was dethroned by Carrie Underwood's "Something in the Water" in October 2014.[13] The song rebounded to No. 1 for another five weeks until the chart week of 23 May 2015, marking a total of 50 non-consecutive weeks atop of the chart.[14] In total, the song spent a record 61 weeks atop of the chart.[15]

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart, debuting the week of 1 February 2014 at number 99; it later made its peak at number 83 on 15 March.

As of May 2022, the song has the most total weeks on Billboard's "Hot Christian Songs" chart with 191 weeks.[16]

It became the longest running No. 1 song on the chart, before "You Say" broke the record in 2019.[17]

## Track listing

[edit]

Digital download[18]No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"| 8:55

Digital download[19]No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Océanos (Donde Mis Pies Pueden Fallar)"| 4:19

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2013–2017)  | Peak
position

|

US Billboard Hot 100[20] | 83
US Hot Christian Songs (Billboard)[21] | 1
US Christian Airplay (Billboard)[22] | 1
US Christian AC (Billboard)[23] | 3
US Heatseekers Songs (Billboard)[24] | 11
Chart (2022)  | Peak
position

|

South Africa (RISA)[25] | 85

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2014)  | Peak
position

|

US Christian Songs (Billboard)[26] | 1
US Christian Airplay (Billboard)[27] | 3
US Christian AC (Billboard)[28] | 3
Chart (2015)  | Peak
position

|

US Christian Songs (Billboard)[29] | 2
Chart (2016)  | Peak
position

|

US Christian Songs (Billboard)[30] | 1
Chart (2017)  | Peak
position

|

US Christian Songs (Billboard)[31] | 10
Chart (2018)  | Position

|

US Christian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[32] | 15
Chart (2019)  | Position

|

US Christian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[33] | 9
Chart (2020)  | Position

|

US Christian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[34] | 20

### Decade-end charts

[edit]

Chart (2010s)  | Position

|

US Christian Songs (Billboard)[35] | 1

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Canada (Music Canada)[36] | 2× Platinum  | 160,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] | Silver  | 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[38] | 4× Platinum  | 4,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Region  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Australia  | 22 February 2013  | Digital download |

* Hillsong
* Capitol CMG

| [39]
Worldwide  | 23 February 2013  | [18]
United States  | 26 February 2013  | [40]
23 August 2013  | Christian radio | Sparrow | [1]
Worldwide  | 30 September 2014  | Digital download
(Spanish version) |

* Hillsong
* Capitol CMG
* Sparrow

| [19]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "UNITED - Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Daily Play MPE". Daily Play MPE. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
2. ^ Kate Shellnutt (10 June 2015). "'Oceans' Keeps Rising - Christianity Today". Christianity Today. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
3. ^ "Oceans - Hillsong United - Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
4. ^ "5 Hillsong Worship Songs That Defined Modern Christian Music". ChurchLeaders. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
5. ^ a b c "Joel Houston, Matty Crocker and Michael Guy Chislett talk about how 'Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)' came to be". Hillsong. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
6. ^ Faith, Dawn (2016). dear God. Myzizi (pty) Ltd. ISBN 9781684191338. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
7. ^ "JFH News: Hillsong UNITED Honored With 5 Dove Awards Including Artist, and Song of the Year Awards". Jesus Freak Hideout. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
8. ^ "Hillsong United Snags Two Billboard Music Awards". The Fish Base Station. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
9. ^ Ryan Barbee (24 February 2013). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Hillsong UNITED, 'Zion' Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
10. ^ Jono Davies. "Louder Than The Music - Hillsong United - Zion". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
11. ^ Dash Berlin - Oceans (with lyrics), retrieved 19 December 2021
12. ^ ekhoe - Százszorszép (in Hungarian), retrieved 2 February 2024
13. ^ Wade Jessen (9 December 2014). "The Year in Christian Music: Hillsong and Carrie Underwood Triumph - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
14. ^ "Christian Music: Praise and Worship Songs Chart - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2017.[better source needed]
15. ^ Jim Asker (8 February 2017). "Country Goes Christian: Reba McEntire No. 1, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Debut - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
16. ^ "Hillsong United - Hot Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
17. ^ Herb Longs (26 April 2016). "Kari Jobe Performs 'Oceans' With Hillsong Worship On Outcry Tour". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
18. ^ a b Worldwide digital release of "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)":
* "Zion by Hillsong UNITED on Apple Music". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
* "Zion av Hillsong UNITED på Apple Music" (in Swedish). iTunes Store (SE). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
* "Zion by Hillsong UNITED on Apple Music". iTunes Store (ZA). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
19. ^ a b Worldwide digital release of "Océanos (Donde Mis Pies Pueden Fallar)":
* "Océanos (Donde Mis Pies Pueden Fallar) - Single by Hillsong UNITED on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
* "Océanos - Single by Hillsong UNITED on Apple Music". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
* "Océanos - Single av Hillsong UNITED på Apple Music" (in Swedish). iTunes Store (SE). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
* "Océanos - Single by Hillsong UNITED on Apple Music". iTunes Store (ZA). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
* "Océanos - Single by Hillsong UNITED on Apple Music". iTunes Store (AU). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
20. ^ "Hillsong United Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
21. ^ "Hillsong United Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
22. ^ "Hillsong United Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
23. ^ "Hillsong United Chart History (Christian AC Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
24. ^ "Hillsong United Chart history (Heatseekers Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
25. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 16-2022". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
26. ^ "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2014 - Billboard". Retrieved 29 June 2017.
27. ^ "Christian Airplay – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
28. ^ "Christian AC - Year-End 2014 - Billboard". Retrieved 9 December 2020.
29. ^ "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2015 - Billboard". Retrieved 29 June 2017.
30. ^ "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2016 - Billboard". Retrieved 29 June 2017.
31. ^ "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2017 - Billboard". Retrieved 19 December 2017.
32. ^ "Christian Digital Song Sales - Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
33. ^ "Christian Digital Song Sales - Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
34. ^ "Christian Digital Song Sales - Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
35. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Decade-End 2010s". Billboard. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
36. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Hillsong United – Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)". Music Canada. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
37. ^ "British single certifications – Hillsong United – Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
38. ^ "American single certifications – Hillsong United – Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
39. ^ "Zion (Deluxe Edition) by Hillsong UNITED on Apple Music". iTunes Store (AU). Retrieved 29 June 2017.
40. ^ "Zion by Hillsong UNITED on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2017.

* v
* t
* e

Hillsong Music

Hillsong Worship
(discography)|

| Albums|

* The Power of Your Love
* Stone's Been Rolled Away
* People Just Like Us
* Friends in High Places
* God Is in the House
* All Things Are Possible
* Touching Heaven Changing Earth
* By Your Side
* For This Cause
* You Are My World
* Blessed
* Hope
* For All You've Done
* God He Reigns
* Mighty to Save
* Saviour King
* This Is Our God
* Faith + Hope + Love
* A Beautiful Exchange
* God Is Able
* Cornerstone
* Glorious Ruins
* No Other Name
* Open Heaven / River Wild
* Let There Be Light
* There Is More
* Awake
* These Same Skies

|

Singles|

* "Shout to the Lord"
* "Mighty to Save"
* "It Is Well With My Soul"
* "Forever Reign"
* "What a Beautiful Name"
* "Who You Say I Am"
* "King of Kings"
* "Fresh Wind"
* "Hope of the Ages"

EPs|

* Cornerstone EP
* There is More: Studio Sessions EP

Hillsong United|

| Studio|

* All of the Above
* Aftermath
* Zion
* Empires
* Wonder

|

Live|

* Everyday
* Best Friend
* King of Majesty
* To the Ends of the Earth
* More Than Life
* Look to You
* United We Stand
* The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One
* Across the Earth: Tear Down the Walls
* Live in Miami
* Zion Acoustic Sessions
* Of Dirt and Grace: Live from the Land
* People

EPs|

* Oceans

Singles|

* "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"
* "Know You Will"
* "Sure Thing"
* "On Repeat"

Remix|

* The White Album

Hillsong Young & Free|

| Studio|

* Youth Revival Acoustic
* III
* III (Studio Sessions)
* III (Reimagined)

|

Live|

* We Are Young & Free
* Youth Revival
* [III (Live at Hillsong Conference)

EPs|

* This Is Living

Hillsong Chapel|

* Yahweh
* Forever Reign

Hillsong Kids|

* Crazy Noise

Worship series|

* Amazing Love
* Songs for Communion

Christmas|

* Christmas
* Celebrating Christmas
* Born Is the King
* We Have a Saviour
* The Peace Project

Compilation|

* Hills Praise
* Extravagant Worship: The Songs of Reuben Morgan
* The Platinum Collection Volume 1: Shout to the Lord
* Ultimate Worship
* Hillsong: Let Hope Rise - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Other albums|

* Shout to the Lord
* Shout to the Lord 2000
* UP: Unified Praise

Global albums|

* Shout God's Fame
* Hail to the King
* Unidos Permanecemos
* Con Todo
* Hillsong Global Project

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