From Madonna To Kanye: 10 Songs That Inspired Cub Sport's Gorgeous New Tune 'O Lord'

It seems like, lately at least, everything's coming up Cub Sport.

The beloved Brisbane outfit are objectively enjoying a golden age of sorts, ever since they hit their next-level stride with last year's debut full-length, This Is Our Vice, and acclaimed breakout single Come On Mess Me Up.

The newfound musical surefooted-ness demonstrated on that release is a state driven home by their latest single, the recently released, gospel-infused beauty O Lord — the first taste of the band's eagerly awaited second album.

But, despite all the accolades, it's important to remember the song — infectious, vulnerable, impassioned and deceptively anthemic all at once — comes from the lived experience of people who, among other indignities and injustices, cannot marry each other because of an outdated, indefensible need to kowtow to other people who are way too invested in everyone else's love lives.

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It's a song built on suffering and sacrifice as much as celebration and determined self-confidence; steeped in pop accessibility and the thoughtful restraint of R&B; informed by the joys of being ready to wed the person you love and the pain of being unable to follow through on that commitment — a duality presently being experienced by the band's Tim Nelson and Sam Netterfield. (PS: Congrats, guys!)

So, somewhat unsurprisingly, it's a song that echoes — deliberately or otherwise — myriad other songs of love, hope, soulful reflection and beauty, and we've been lucky enough to hear straight from the source (in this case, Nelson) which 10 tracks most heavily impacted the way O Lord manifested itself in the end.

Give the song a(nother) spin — and keep your ears peeled for it on triple j from this week — and see if you can pick up on the influences that shine through its sparkling surface, below.

Madonna — Like A Prayer

When I first sent the demo of O Lord to the rest of the band, Zo said she was getting mega Like A Prayer vibes and that was all I needed to hear.

Savage Garden — Truly Madly Deeply

I love how smooth this song is. It’s so dreamy/warm and v emotional. It doesn’t sound like anything else, and I love that.

Leona Lewis — Bleeding Love

The organ sound and vocals kill me! Leona’s voice is so incredible, especially in the bridge — those runs take me to church. I’m sure I was subconsciously channelling Leona when I recorded the end section of O Lord.

Frank Ocean — Godspeed

I could listen to Frank forever. His vocals are so emotive and soulful, and then the song just takes you higher when Kim Burrell comes in.

Chance The Rapper — Summer Friends

The gospel vibes on this track just make it so powerful.

Solange — Rise

The close harmonies in the intro are so beautiful.

Kanye West — Ultralight Beam

I remember the first time I heard this song. I was literally breathless at 1:26 when I first heard the choir come in. Bolan, our friend Lean and I were all listening in different places at the same time as soon as it came out and we were all texting furiously like WHAT IS THIS. This song is so impactful and the choir gives me life!