The words my favorite artists sang gave me strength and courage and inspiration and motivation to keep going, to keep living, and to believe something better was around the corner. [83] It was the first single by any artist in the Christian music genre to go platinum. It made me love your song more than I already did knowing now the inspiration behind it. [61] As a result of its success on radio, Almost There experienced a "surge" in sales,[62] debuting on the Billboard 200 in December 2001[63] and entering the top ten on the Christian Albums chart in January 2002. [30] Although it had been played almost as joke, it soon became the most requested and most played song on the station. [69] Curb began to promote the song to adult contemporary and Top 40 radio,[68] and INO and Curb released a double A-side physical single, "I Can Only Imagine/Word of God Speak", in September 2003. 2 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart and also spent a third week at No. I can only imagine what it will be like When I walk by Your side I can only imagine what my eyes will see When Your face is before me, I can (HX.368798). [26][27] The song opens up with only a piano, building up to include guitar and drums. [6] His father began to make amends for his actions and started becoming more religiously observant, reading the Bible and going to church regularly. View Description. [38] It is the most-played song in the history of Christian radio[39][40][41][42] and one of the most-played songs in the history of contemporary music. [14] The difficulty of meeting sales demands when selling the album directly, in addition to having to book and manage for themselves, led the band to pursue a contract with a record label;[12] MercyMe would sign with INO Records in 2000. This book is inspired by the hit song by MercyMe. The band has played the song at every show since as of February 2009[5] MercyMe's 2004 concert tour (the Imagine Tour) and 2018–19 tour (the Imagine Nation Tour) both took their name from the song. I Can Only Imagine tells the The inspiring true story behind MercyMe’s beloved song and will hit the big screen in theatres everywhere on March 16. [6], Once Millard started writing the song, he estimated that it took him only about ten minutes to write the lyrics. [61] Big Gay Steven, one of the show's hosts, described their audience's response to the song as "overwhelming". The story of Millard's abusive childhood and redemption that led to the crossover megahit song opens in theaters March 16. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. The film was released on March 16, 2018. Wow what a story of God’s grace and love. J. Michael Finley made his Broadway debut in Les Miserables in 2014, and is making his screen-acting debut in I CAN ONLY IMAGINE.His stage credits include playing Steve in Hair (at the Paramount Theatre), Sweeney Todd (at the Drury Lane Theatre) and Louie in The Christmas Schooner (in the Mercury Theater). [93], Both an acoustic and live version of "I Can Only Imagine" were included in the Platinum edition of Almost There, which was released in August 2006. I loved the story of Bart’s life and how open he was. [91] At the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast, MercyMe performed the song with President Donald Trump in attendance. And even though that band’s frontman, Bart Millard, scribbled out the tear-jerking tune about being with Jesus in heaven in just a few minutes one emotion-filled night, its inspiration was a lifetime in the making. The words are not only light-hearted and fun but they reflect the delights many children want of ginormous ice cream cones, pets and doing the canon ball jump into a lake … The song builds from just piano to include guitar and drums. [90] The band also performed the song at the 40th GMA Dove Awards, held on April 23, 2009, in a medley with "Finally Home". [39] It has consistently ranked among the best-selling Christian digital songs each year in the Billboard year-end charts, ranging from number 19 in 2016[44] to number three in 2018. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published I received a copy courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. MercyMe was formed in 1994 by vocalist Bart Millard, guitarist Mike Scheuchzer, and keyboardist Jim Bryson. 10 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart. Millard's Hymned No. Millard's song "I Can Only Imagine" was inspired by his father's death, and was made into a film also titled I Can Only Imagine. [7] Early in Bart's life, Arthur had been physically and emotionally abusive towards his family, with Bart being beaten severely at points; Arthur and his wife Adele eventually divorced, and Bart was sent to live with his mother after an especially extreme whipping. [65], In 2003, a Dallas mainstream radio station, 100.3 Wild-FM, played the song on its morning show, The Fitz Radio Program. He’s struggling to tell the story behind a song that would eventually top both Christian and mainstream charts, net over 2 million digital downloads, and go platinum…TWICE.. [71] The song peaked at No. Expand on what you know about the true story behind the I Can Only Imagine movie by watching the videos below, including an interview with Bart Millard and the music video for the song. God is still writing our story. [9] Millard found comfort in the thought and began to write it on anything he could find. I recently got the opportunity to interview Bart Millard, MercyMe’s lead singer and inspiration behind the film, Jon Erwin (Co-Writer, Co-Director) and Kevin Downes (Producer). This book is so heartfelt and a beautiful testimony on how God works miracles. [76] "I Can Only Imagine" peaked at No. [52] As of August 2019, it ranks as the fifth-highest grossing music biopic of all-time in the United States (behind Bohemian Rhapsody, Straight Outta Compton, Walk the Line, and Rocketman)[53] and was the highest-grossing independent film of 2018. As Arthur progressively became more ill, his relationship with his son improved dramatically; by the time Arthur died in 1991, when Bart was 18, the two were very close. "I Can Only Imagine" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Millard … Directed by the Erwin Brothers and starring J. Michael Finley as Bart Millard and Dennis Quaid as Arthur Millard,[48] the movie was released to theaters on March 16, 2018. [22] Regarding the lyrical theme of "I Can Only Imagine", Millard explained to Fox News that "I was always told that if [my father] could choose, he would rather be in Heaven than here with me. "I Can Only Imagine" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. At his gravesite, Bart’s grandmother, who had a strong faith in Christ, said of her son, “I can only imagine what Bub’s seeing now.” Those words stuck with Bart Millard for years, until one day, they became song lyrics. [59][72] During the week of November 22, 2003, it became the first No. $4.00. 5 for the chart week of September 8, 2003. I Can Only Imagine is a 2018 American Christian biographical drama film directed by the Erwin Brothers and written by Alex Cramer, Jon Erwin, and Brent McCorkle, based on the story behind the group MercyMe's song of the same name, the best-selling Christian single of all time. Written and composed by lead singer Bart Millard, it was originally recorded for the band's 1999 independent album The Worship Project before being included on their 2001 major-label debut album Almost There. [7] Millard said that it was one of the few songs he had ever written where there were not any mistakes in the writing process; "it was just written the way it is and left at that". Personal life. 1 on the Billboard Christian Digital Songs chart; the song had spent 425 weeks on the chart at that point, the longest run of any song in the chart's history. [55] Country singer Jeff Carson's 2003 cover peaked at No. [86] The video features everyday people as well as several music artists including Michael Tait, Tammy Trent, Bob Herdman, and Jesse Katina, each holding an empty picture frame to signify their loss of a loved one; as the video progresses, they are holding pictures of their loved ones including Millard with his father's photograph. I cried, I rejoiced, I felt God speaking. [95][96] On their compilation album 10, MercyMe released a new recording of the song featuring the London Session Orchestra as well as a live version. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs", "Aliyah Mouldon I Can Only Imagine Chart History", "MercyMe Chart History - Adult Contemporary", "MercyMe Chart History - Mainstream Top 40", "MercyMe Chart History - Hot Country Songs", Lescharts.com – MercyMe – I Can Only Imagine", "2003 Year End Charts - Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks", "2003 Year End Charts - Hot 100 Singles Sales Titles", "2004 Year End Charts - Hot 100 Singles Sales Titles", "Year End Charts - Christian Digital Songs", "Christian Digital Songs - Year-end 2015", "Christian Digital Songs - Year-end 2017", "Christian Digital Songs - Year-end 2019", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Can_Only_Imagine_(MercyMe_song)&oldid=1015648530, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Nathan Cochran – bass guitar, background vocals, Mike Scheuchzer – guitar, background vocals, This page was last edited on 2 April 2021, at 17:48. I Can Only Imagine. I Can Only Imagine?follows the life of Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe, who lost his father to cancer and was inspired to write the mega-hit song.. Particular praise was given to its lyrics, and some critics called it the best song on Almost There. The iconic song “I Can Only Imagine,” written solely by Millard, made history in 2014 as it surpassed 2 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum and double-platinum in the digital domain. ― Bart Millard, I Can Only Imagine. Lyrically, it imagines what it would be like to be in front of God in heaven; it opens with just a piano before building to include guitar and drums. [51] The film finished its theatrical run having grossed $83.4 million in the United States and Canada and $1.8 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $85.2 million. 1 was called the No. Sign up for a free chapter download from I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard! [33][34] Millard won the award for Songwriter of the Year at the same ceremony[33][34] as well as at the 25th American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Christian Music Awards, held on June 2, 2003. 'I Can Only Imagine':MercyMe's Bart Millard thought his father was going to kill him Box office surprise: Movie industry 'dismissed' film prior to smash success, director says View Comments Bart kept in contact with his father, however, who was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when Bart was 15. MultiTrack $18.00. The American singer and songwriter Bart Millard probably could not fathom just how far and how well his music would impact the world when he was penning down the song, I Can Only Imagine. [24] Although Russ Breimeier of Christianity Today called it "beautiful and inspiring", he questioned if "I Can Only Imagine" was actually a worship song. [58], The song debuted on the Christian AC chart on November 2, 2001,[59] reached the No. : I Can Only Imagine follows the life of Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe, who loss of his father to cancer and is inspired to write the mega-hit song. The following sources confirm peak positions for each single on the, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Recording Industry Association of America, Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique, "MercyMe – Celebrating 10 Years Since "I Can Only Imagine, "I Can Only Imagine: the story behind the anthem that healed America", "The Painful True Story Behind MercyMe Singer Bart Millard's Hit Faith-Based Movie", "MercyMe's Bart Millard thought his father was going to kill him", "MercyMe finally getting their big–time due", "MercyMe – "I Can Only Imagine" Sheet Music", "MercyMe, Kirk Franklin discuss resiliency of Christian music", "Christian band blessed with crossover success", "Mainstream airplay vaults Christian group to a higher place", "Band never 'imagined' success of hit song", "Dove Awards History Year (searchable database)", "ASCAP honors writer of 'I Can Only Imagine", "How did 'I Can Only Imagine' become the biggest Christian hit ever (and inspire a movie)? [88][89], MercyMe performed "I Can Only Imagine" at the 33rd GMA Dove Awards, with an accompanying "inspiring video that underscored the emotional and inspirational power of song". 71 and spent 16 non-consecutive weeks on the chart. Lyrically, it imagines what it would be like to be in front of God in heaven; it opens with just a piano before building to include … So the questions in the song came from me asking God what was so great about Him that my dad would rather be there. Watch the Bart Millard Interview & the "I Can Only Imagine" Music Video. Bart Marshall Millard is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as the leader of the band MercyMe. In this portrait of faith, love, and family, Bart Millard puts pen to paper for the first time to share the story of his abusive father and how faith saved his family. Select the song formats you'd like Song Format Guide Bulk Discounts. Written and composed by lead singer Bart Millard, it was originally recorded for the band's 1999 independent album The Worship Project before being included on their 2001 major-label debut album Almost There. [98], "I Can Only Imagine" has been covered by several artists. [5], The Worship Project was released on October 14, 1999. In fact, I was able to sit down with Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe and native Texan, recently and ask him if he was nervous about sharing his life story in front of millions. [36], "I Can Only Imagine" has been regarded as MercyMe's "breakthrough hit"[37] as well as their signature song. 1 position on February 22, 2002,[60] and spent two weeks at the top spot. 1 on the Radio & Records Christian AC chart and became the most-played Christian single of 2002. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. [29] In the refrain, the singer ponders "Will I dance for You Jesus/or in awe of you be still/Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall/Will I sing hallelujah/will I be able to speak at all/I can only imagine/I can only imagine". In 2002, Amy Grant released her reworked version of the song, titled "Imagine" and paired with "Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus", on her album Legacy... Hymns and Faith. Refresh and try again. When Christian rocker Bart Millard was first approached with the idea of turning his life story into a movie, ... ” from the Newly Released Album I Can Only Imagine – The Very Best Of MercyMe. 10 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart[81] and ranked at No. 4 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, selling 15,000 copies in its first week and spending two weeks on the chart in total.[102]. Goodreads Members' Most Anticipated Spring Books. ", "Faith-Based Film 'I Can Only Imagine' With Dennis Quaid, Cloris Leachman And Trace Adkins Eyes Spring 2018 Release", "Mission Pictures Rolls Out Dennis Quaid's 'I Can Only Imagine, "Christian Digital Songs - Year-end 2016", "Christian Digital Songs - Year-end 2018", "Review: MercyMe/Tenth Avenue North mix hard rock with meditational music", "Imagine This: MercyMe Hit Now an Official State Inspirational Song", "Oklahoma-made movie 'I Can Only Imagine' hits a high note at the box office with $17.1 million opening weekend", "Will 'Tomb Raider' Be the Movie to Finally Knock 'Black Panther' From Box Office Perch? The best song on their iTunes Originals album, which was released on October 14, 1999 great about that... Protector, and Country radio charts book by Bart Millard, the band decided to use intro. Was tearing down the equipment in their recording studio, Bryson began playing a piano, building up include... 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