On July 15, 2022, Chris Tomlin announced that he would be releasing a new worship project titled Always on September 9, releasing "Holy Forever" as the first promotional single from the album.[5] "Holy Forever" followed the previously released singles "I See You," "Always," and "Yahweh (No One)."[6] Speaking with Christian magazine Worship Leader, Tomlin described the song as "the anchor" of Always.[7][8]
Composition
"Holy Forever" is composed in the key of D♭ with a tempo of 72 beats per minute, and a musical time signature of 4 4.[9]
Reception
Critical response
Jonathan Andre in his 365 Days of Inspiring Media review spotlighted the track as one of three songs to listen to on Always, opining that "'Holy Forever' is my favourite song from Chris Tomlin’s Always, as this track becomes my favourite Chris Tomlin ballad, ever since 'Jesus' way back in 2016."[10] Timothy Yap of JubileeCast gave a positive review of the album, saying, "Solely focused on God in his glorious splendor surrounded with a soul-stirring chorus, this reminds us of the type of worship mentioned in Revelation 4 and 5."[11] Gerod Bass of Worship Musician magazine wrote a positive review of the song, saying it "touches on the ever faithful theme with its soaring chorus notes and reverent and honest worship."[12]
"Holy Forever" debuted at No. 43 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart dated July 30, 2022 as a promotional single.[14] After steadily climbing the charts through streaming and digital sales alone, it was officially released to radio in March 2023.[1] The song would reach the Top 10 after 43 weeks.[15] It ascended to the No. 1 position on the chart dated October 7, 2023, completing a record-breaking 59-week climb to the summit, the longest ascent in the chart's history.[16] It spent four weeks at number one and remained on the Hot Christian Songs chart for a total of 80 weeks, making it Tomlin's longest-charting song.[17] In May 2024, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Music videos
The official lyric video of "Holy Forever" was published via Chris Tomlin's YouTube channel on July 14, 2022.[18] A live performance of the song, featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson, was released on his channel on April 28, 2023, which was recorded during his seventh Good Friday Nashville concert in Bridgestone Arena.[19][20]
Cover versions
On June 9th 2023 the German worship band Urban Life Worship released their cover the song in the German language on YouTube.[21]
On October 6, 2023, a cover of "Holy Forever" by American singer CeCe Winans was released on YouTube.[22][23] On October 18, 2023, a modern choral version of the song, arranged by Jay Rouse, was released on YouTube.[24]
On September 6th, 2024 a modern cover of the song in the Hebrew Language, by Emanuel Roro, was Released on YouTube. [25]
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