Cinderella (Steven Curtis Chapman song)

Last updated
"Cinderella"
Single by Steven Curtis Chapman
from the album This Moment
Released2007
Length4:25
Label Sparrow
Songwriter(s) Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman singles chronology
"Miracle of the Moment"
(2007)		"Cinderella"
(2007)		"Yours"
(2008)

"Cinderella" is a song by contemporary Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman from his album This Moment . In 2009, a special edition of the album titled This Moment: Cinderella Edition was released, featuring two versions of the song.

Contents

Lyrics and inspiration

The song "Cinderella" was written by Steven Curtis Chapman one night after bathing his two youngest daughters - Stevey Joy and Maria Sue - and putting them to bed. He remembers that the girls were stalling him, putting on their Cinderella gowns, and he was trying to hurry them so he could put them to bed and go to his studio to work. Chapman says he even refused to read them a story that night. But after walking out, he says he felt God telling him the name "Emily Chapman", his eldest daughter, who was in her twenties. Steven remembered how he had rushed through some moments in Emily's childhood because of his career, and remembered how he now had a chance to not do it again with his younger daughters. He then felt guilty for neglecting them and started writing the song to remind himself to cherish the moments he could with his family, no matter how brief they might be:

"Emily is now 20 years old ... she's grown up. I used to have this moments with her, you know, tuck her in bed every night, when I was home; you know, bath time, story time [...] and it went by like that. And I rushed through a lot of those moments with her, trying to get back up to my studio to write [...] But I thought 'Man, it goes by so fast' and my wife and I have the luxury of having a grown daughter, and almost grown sons, and now we get a chance to do it again. Are we gonna do the same thing? are we gonna run through those moments? or am I gonna have enough sense to stop and slow down in those moments... even if they're just gonna be a few extra moments, just enjoy it, and let my little girls know that I've not rush through it. [1] "

—  Steven Curtis Chapman

Chapman says he wrote the song in about an hour, which was unusual for him. Chapman says that his daughters thought it was "the greatest song ever written, because it was inspired by them, but mostly because it had the name 'Cinderella'."

Several months later, in May 2008, Chapman's youngest daughter Maria Sue died as a result of an accident in the Chapmans' driveway, and the song took on a whole new meaning for the Chapman family. While the song had originally been written as a message to love and cherish parenthood while it lasted, it acquired another message of the frailty of life and how suddenly it can change. After his daughter's death, Chapman had said he was "pretty sure [he] would never sing the song again". On July 11, while singing on stage, he felt God talking to him through all his songs, confronting him. Chapman felt that he needed to believe in the hope he proclaims in his songs, and bring that hope to others by singing the song. [2]

Tour performances

“Cinderella,” along with other songs from This Moment, was performed during “The United Tour,” which featured both Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. The tour took place from October 9, 2008 to November 8, 2008, and it was Chapman’s first tour after his daughter Maria’s death. [3]

Dove Awards

In 2009, the song was nominated for two Dove Awards: Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, at the 40th GMA Dove Awards. [4] Although the song did not win any of the awards, Chapman took home Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. During the ceremony, Chapman also performed the song and received a standing ovation. [5]

Chart performance

ChartPeak
position [6]
Hot Christian Songs 4
Hot Christian AC23

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [7] Platinum1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Curtis Chapman</span> American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter

Steven Curtis Chapman is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist.

<i>Speechless</i> (Steven Curtis Chapman album) 1999 studio album by Steven Curtis Chapman

Speechless is the ninth studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman. It was released on June 3, 1999, by Sparrow Records.

<i>Heaven in the Real World</i> 1994 studio album by Steven Curtis Chapman

Heaven in the Real World is the sixth studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman released on July 5, 1994, by Sparrow Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reuben Morgan</span> Australian musician

Reuben Timothy Morgan is an Australian worship pastor at Hillsong Church and one of several worship leaders and songwriters in Hillsong Worship group. Prior to this he was a worship pastor at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He has written songs such as "Eagles Wings", "Hear Our Praises", "I Give You My Heart", "My Redeemer Lives" and "Mighty to Save", which won the Worship Song of the Year at the 40th GMA Dove Awards. In 2005 his first solo worship album, World Through Your Eyes, debuted at No. 3 in the Australian Christian Charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Tomlin</span> American contemporary Christian music artist

Christopher Dwayne Tomlin is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Grand Saline, Texas, United States, who has sold over 7 million records. He is a member of Passion Conferences and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Some of his most well-known songs are "How Great Is Our God", "Our God", "Whom Shall I Fear " and his cover of "Good Good Father".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew West</span> American contemporary Christian musician

Matthew Joseph West is an American contemporary Christian musician and singer-songwriter. He has released five studio albums and is known for his songs "More", "You Are Everything", and "The Motions". He was nominated for five Dove Awards in 2005, two of which were for his major-label debut album, Happy. West won the 2013 American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist.

"American Dream" is a song recorded by Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall and produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman, the song was included on the band's 2003 self-titled debut album. A rock song, "American Dream" features loud electric guitars similar to those on Chapman's 2001 album Declaration. Lyrically, the song discusses how fathers caught up in advancing their career can neglect their family responsibilities. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised its lyrics; several critics felt the song's instrumentation was average or mediocre, however.

<i>This Moment</i> (Steven Curtis Chapman album) 2007 studio album by Steven Curtis Chapman

This Moment is the fourteenth studio album by the Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman. It was released on October 23, 2007, through Sparrow Records. "Cinderella" was released as a radio single and became popular in the United States, charting in the Top 10 on Christian Radio. Other radio singles were "Yours", which became a No. 1 single, and "Miracle of the Moment", which charted in the Top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dive (Steven Curtis Chapman song)</span> 1999 single by Steven Curtis Chapman

"Dive" is a song by contemporary Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman, released as the second single from his 1999 album Speechless. "Dive" was covered by PureNRG on their final album Graduation: The Best of pureNRG. In February 2019, a remixed country version was released as the lead single for Chapman's album Where the Bluegrass Grows. The song features country singer Ricky Skaggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">40th GMA Dove Awards</span>

The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation was held on April 23, 2009 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2008. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Rebecca St. James, Matthew West, and Lisa Kimmey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Cash</span> American musician

Edmond Martin Cash is a producer, songwriter, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist. He was named the "Producer of the Year" at the Gospel Music Awards for four consecutive years (2004–2007) and gains recognition for his work with Christian singer Chris Tomlin. In addition to several Grammy Nominations and BMI Citations of Achievement, Cash has produced or written with artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Colin Bernard, Amy Grant, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Bebo Norman, David Crowder Band, Bethany Dillon, Kari Jobe, Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz, Caedmon's Call, Casting Crowns, Annette Lee. Since 2018, he has been a member of the band We the Kingdom.

The 24th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 1, 1993, recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1992. The show was held in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Barbara Mandrell.

The 26th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 27, 1995, to recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1994. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Gary Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris and CeCe Winans.

The 22nd Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 11, 1991, recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1990. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Clifton Davis and Sandi Patti.

The 21st Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 5, 1990, recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1989. The show was held at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Clifton Davis and Sandi Patty.

"Long Way Home" is a song performed by contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, taken from his 2011 album Re:creation. Written and composed by Chapman, the song is led by the ukulele and has a "sandy beach flavor" and "laid-back island vibe". It lyrically ponders life on Earth being "just a journey", with the destination being Heaven; it also discusses trials in Chapman's own life. It met with positive critical response, with many critics regarding it as the best song from Re:creation.

"Yours" is a song recorded by contemporary Christian singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman. Written by Chapman and Jonas Myris and produced by Chapman and Matt Bronleewe, it was included as the fourth track on Chapman's 2007 studio album This Moment; a radio edit of the song containing a new verse was released as the third single from the album.

<i>The Glorious Unfolding</i> 2013 studio album by Steven Curtis Chapman

The Glorious Unfolding is the 15th studio album by the contemporary Christian musician Steven Curtis Chapman, released on September 27, 2013, by Reunion Records, and produced by himself along with Brent Milligan. This was his first album released by Reunion Records, and it was his nineteenth album in his career. The album has seen commercial success as well as critical acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remembering You (song)</span> 2005 single by Steven Curtis Chapman

"Remembering You" is a song by American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman. Written and composed by Chapman, Caleb Chapman, and David Campbell, it was released in August 2005 as the first single from the soundtrack album Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), a collection of songs recorded by contemporary Christian music artists that was released to promote the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to Christian audiences. A pop song with Celtic and folk influences, and a prominent string section, the song is written from the perspective of the characters in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at the end of the story.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">50th GMA Dove Awards</span>

The 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards presentation ceremony was held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at the Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of musicians and other figures within the Christian music industry for the year 2019. The awards show aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network on Sunday, October 20, 2019, at 8 p.m. ET.

References

  1. ↑ Steven Curtis Chapman - Video and inspiration on YouTube
  2. ↑ Steven Curtis Chapman's testimony Cinderella song Part I
  3. ↑ Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman Team up for the United Tour cbnmusic.com. The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  4. ↑ Nominations Announced for 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees announced on CBN.com (February 20, 2008)
  5. ↑ 2009 Steven Curtis Chapman Cinderella on YouTube
  6. ↑ Cinderella on Billboard
  7. ↑ "American single certifications – Steven Curtis Chapman – Cinderella". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 4, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.