Will Chapman “Do It Again” With His New Single?

Steven Curtis Chapman, a middle-aged man, standing in front of a gray sky wearing a jacket. The main image for his July 2024 single, "Do it Again"

Steven Curtis Chapman dropped a new single last week called, “Do it Again.”

Little blonde-headed boy without a shirt smiling a big grin.

The follow-up to his 50th number-one song, “Don’t Lose Heart,” comes out as a single not attached (yet) to a bigger project. The online cover for the song shows the toothy grin of a Kentucky boy running around on a hot summer day with Dad in the background. A fitting connection from his life to the true theme of the song.

Throughout his career, Steven Curtis Chapman has produced some bouncy, catchy—and sometimes gimmick-y—tunes.

“First Hand” from his first album by the same name.
“My Turn Now” from Real Life Conversations (2nd number 1 song)
“Love You with My Life” (5th number 1 song) and “Treasure Island” (6th number 1 song) from More to this Life
“You Know Better” and “Busy Man” (10th number 1 song) from For the Sake of the Call
“The Great Adventure” (12th number 1 song) and, ahem, “Got to B Tru” from The Great Adventure
“King of the Jungle” (17th number 1 song) and “Dancing with the Dinosaur” (18th number 1 song) from Heaven in the Real World
“Lord of the Dance” (23rd number 1 song) and “Let Us Pray” (25th number 1 song) from Signs of Life
“Dive” (31st number 1 song) from Speechless
“See the Glory” from Declaration
“Big Story” from All Things New

But don’t think for a minute that the former buck dancer on the stages of Opryland isn’t a deep thinker. Skip through tracks in his discography and you’ll hear many deep thoughts, even in some of these bouncy songs.

Playlist: Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Songs that Bounce”

I’ve created playlists of these great songs on these platforms. Give them a listen through your favorite method.

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

The Deeper Inspiration Behind “Do it Again”

Among other great, deep, stimulating thinkers, Chapman has been influenced by Scotty Smith, the founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tenn., a former and current chaplain to touring acts, and seminary professor.

Chapman also loves to read. His deep-thinking and reading led to his new song, Do it Again.” It isn’t a hop-on-the-bandwagon to Elevation Worship or even Steely Dan. This song is an homage to G. K. Chesterton.

The writings British author, philosopher, and apologist Gilbert Keith Chesterton echo today. His book, Orthodoxy, should be required reading for every believer… and it’s been in print continuously since first published in 1908.

If you love the British crime shows that stream on every platform, check out “Father Brown” on BritBox and through your library on Hoopla. The modern iteration of the book series is loosely based on Chesterton’s character and writing, but the heart certainly echoes through.

In chapter four, “The Ethics of Elfland”, Chesterton writes about how we lose our way as we grow up. That little boys think differently than businessmen. Little boys are full of imagination and ideals. Businessmen are jaded and practical. Then, he turns the corner into how God thinks:

“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”

This passage inspired Chapman and his two sons to write this song. They are seeking to remind us of the awe inspiring character of God.

The Scriptural Underpinnings of “Do it Again” by Steven Curtis Chapman

This song is full of 1980s synth vibes that sound almost like the theme to “Stranger Things” but in a major key. But the song is also full of echoes to these passages.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.

Colossians 1:15–18, ESV, emphasis added

He set the earth on its foundations,

so that it should never be moved.

You covered it with the deep as with a garment;

the waters stood above the mountains.

At your rebuke they fled;

at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.

The mountains rose, the valleys sank down

to the place that you appointed for them.

You set a boundary that they may not pass,

so that they might not again cover the earth.

Psalm 104:5–9, ESV

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 38:4–7, ESV

My “Do it Again” Review

I’ve listened to this song a number of times to write this article. I didn’t like the song at first. I wondered if it would get any airplay. I read other articles about the song and there was a passing mention to Chesterton in one, and no mention in others. The writers missed the entire point.

In a genre full of “me theology,” which I despise, I am refreshed to hear a song that speaks—in a fun way—to the majesty and glory of God. The “you” in this song is the Chapmans saying, “God has more to show you. Watch. Listen. See what the Creator of the Universe has done, is doing, and will do.”

So, tap your feet and enjoy the nostalgia of the sound, but don’t lose sight of who God is and how powerful He is.

Will it be his 51st number one? I doubt it. But don’t dismiss this song. Wrestle with how God “holds all things together.” I choose to enjoy the song in our world while it lasts and listen privately in my own playlists.