I'm Leaning on You

Last updated

I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and we sang "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" constantly and it was one of my favorite songs as a kid. We would often close out our church service with that song. I don't think we remind ourselves enough that when things get rough, just like the childlike faith we had as kids, that we can lean on Jesus. It's as simple as that. We need to sing that when we are kids and when we are adults. After you've gone through a bit of life, that's a necessity. I was researching the hymn and it turns out that the guy who wrote it, Anthony Showalter, was a school teacher and he had received letters from his former students saying that their wives had died, and in writing letters of consolation, Showalter was inspired by the phrase in Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." That's where I started from in writing this song. I'm trying to say something that inspired me as a kid which is simplistic and childlike in faith, and at the same time with deep-rooted truth. It's more than just propositional truth now, it's something meaningful and true in my life, being able to say that now.

Composition

"I'm Leaning on You" is an "R&B flavored" song, [5] composed in the key of A with a tempo of 70 beats per minute and a musical time signature of 4
4
. [6]

Critical reception

Toby Fournier of Cross Rhythms gave a positive review of the song, saying, "Bare piano chords open the song with David Crowder coming in to deliver his message of hope, which gradually rises to a crescendo and features some killer backing vocals on the chorus and a chord progression that lifts the whole affair sky high." [7]

Commercial performance

"I'm Leaning on You" debuted at number 35 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart dated February 29, 2020. [8] The song peaked at number 19 on the Hot Christian Songs chart dated June 6, 2020, and has spent a total of twenty-five consecutive weeks on the chart. [9]

Music videos

Crowder released the audio video of "I'm Leaning on You" showcasing the I Know a Ghost album artwork through YouTube on November 9, 2018. [10] On February 14, 2020, Crowder released the audio video for the radio version of "I'm Leaning on You" on YouTube. [11] Crowder published the lyric video of "I'm Leaning on You" via YouTube on April 24, 2020. [12]

Track listing

"I'm Leaning on You"
I'm Leaning on You - Crowder.jpg
Single by Crowder featuring Riley Clemmons
from the album I Know a Ghost
ReleasedFebruary 14, 2020 (2020-02-14)
Genre
Length
  • 3:34
  • 3:26 (radio version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Crowder singles chronology
"Home"
(2019)
"I'm Leaning on You"
(2020)
"Night Like This"
(2020)
Riley Clemmons singles chronology
"Free"
(2019)
"I'm Leaning on You"
(2020)
"Over and Over"
(2020)
"I'm Leaning on You" [13]
No.TitleProducer(s) [14] Length
1."I'm Leaning on You" (featuring Riley Clemmons; Radio Version)
3:26
2."I'm Leaning on You" (featuring Riley Clemmons)Tommee Profitt3:34
Total length:7:00

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "I'm Leaning on You"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousFebruary 14, 2020 [20]

Other versions

Related Research Articles

"Ever Be" is a song by Bethel Music and Kalley Heiligenthal. The song was released as the second track on Bethel Music's seventh live album, We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) (2015), on January 26, 2015. The song was written by Bobby Strand, Chris Greely, Gabriel Wilson, and Kalley Heiligenthal.

Reckless Love (song) 2017 song by Cory Asbury

"Reckless Love" is a song by Cory Asbury and it was released on October 27, 2017, as the lead single from his second studio album of the same name, Reckless Love (2018), via Bethel Music. The song also appeared on the album Bethel Music en Español (2019). The song was written by Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury and Ran Jackson, with production being handled by Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury.

All My Hope 2017 single by Crowder

"All My Hope" is a song performed by American contemporary Christian music singer Crowder featuring Tauren Wells, released as a standalone single on September 8, 2017. Crowder had released the original version of the song on his second studio album, American Prodigal (2016). Crowder co-wrote the song with Jeff Sojka and Ben Glover.

Riley Elizabeth Clemmons is an American Christian musician, who plays Christian pop style contemporary worship music. She is known for her Christian radio hits, "Broken Prayers" and "Better for It". She released her debut self-titled album via American music distributor Capitol CMG on August 3, 2018.

<i>I Know a Ghost</i> 2018 studio album by Crowder

I Know a Ghost is the third studio album by American Contemporary Christian musician Crowder. The album was released on November 9, 2018, via Sixsteps and Sparrow Records. The album features guest appearances by TAYA, Mandisa, Riley Clemmons, JR, and Social Club Misfits. Crowder collaborated with Tommee Profitt, Ed Cash, Solomon Olds, Brendon Coe, and Hank Bentley in the production of the album.

Red Letters (song) 2018 single by Crowder

"Red Letters" is a song performed by American contemporary Christian music singer Crowder. It was released as one of the first singles from his third studio album, I Know a Ghost (2018), alongside "Wildfire" on September 19, 2018. The song peaked at No. 9 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming his fifth top ten single. "Red Letters" was nominated for the GMA Dove Awards for Song of the Year and Short Form Video of the Year at the 2019 GMA Dove Awards.

Jennifer Louise Rock Johnson is an American Christian worship singer, songwriter and worship pastor. She is a co-founding member of Bethel Music, and is one-half of the husband-and-wife worship duo, Brian & Jenn Johnson. She is also a senior worship pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California, and a Senior Overseer of WorshipU, an online school of worship under Bethel Music which she co-founded with Brian Johnson.

Holy Water (We the Kingdom song)

"Holy Water" is a song by We the Kingdom that was released as the second single from their debut extended play, Live at the Wheelhouse (2019) and Holy Water (2020), on September 13, 2019. The song was written by Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, and Andrew Bergthold.

"King of Kings" is a contemporary worship song by Hillsong Worship and is the lead single from their twenty-eighth album, Awake. Released on 12 July 2019, it was written by Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, and Jason Ingram and produced by Michael Guy Chislett and Brooke Ligertwood.

Rattle! 2020 song by Elevation Worship

"Rattle!" is a song performed by American contemporary worship band Elevation Worship. On April 23, 2021, it was released as the third single from their eighth live album, Graves into Gardens (2020), to Christian radio stations in the United States. The song was written by Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, and Steven Furtick. Chris Brown and Aaron Robertson handled the production of the single.

Who You Are to Me 2020 song by Chris Tomlin

"Who You Are to Me" is a song by American contemporary Christian musician Chris Tomlin featuring American country music group Lady A. The song was released as the lead single from his thirteenth studio album, Chris Tomlin & Friends (2020), to Christian radio in the United States on July 10, 2020. Tomlin co-wrote the song with Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott. The single was produced by Brian Kelley, Chris Tomlin, Corey Crowder, Dave Haywood, and Tyler Hubbard.

Champion (Bethel Music and Dante Bowe song) 2020 song by Bethel Music and Dante Bowe

"Champion" is a song by Bethel Music and Dante Bowe, which was released as the fourth single from Bethel Music's twelfth live album, Revival's in the Air (2020), on July 17, 2020. The song was written by Brandon Lake, Dante Bowe, Jonathan Jay, Steffany Gretzinger, and Tony Brown. Chuck Butler handled the production of the single.

Good God Almighty (Crowder song) 2021 single by Crowder

"Good God Almighty" is a song performed by American contemporary Christian music singer Crowder, released on January 15, 2021, as the lead single to his fourth studio album, Milk & Honey (2021). Crowder co-wrote the song with Jeff Sojka and Ben Glover.

Never Lost 2019 song by Elevation Worship

"Never Lost" is a song performed by American contemporary worship band Elevation Worship released as a standalone single, on November 1, 2019. The song was written by Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, and Tiffany Hammer. Chris Brown and Aaron Robertson handled the production of the single.

It Is Well (Bethel Music and Kristene DiMarco song) 2014 song by Bethel Music and Kristene DiMarco

"It Is Well" is a song performed by Bethel Music and Kristene DiMarco. It was released to Christian radio in the United States as the second single from Bethel Music's ninth album, You Make Me Brave (2014), on March 27, 2015. Kristene DiMarco wrote the song, with Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss receiving posthumous credits for the interpolation of the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul". Gabriel Wilson and Daniel Mackenzie handled the production of the single.

Jireh (song) 2021 song by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music

"Jireh" is a song performed by American contemporary worship bands Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music, which features vocals from Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine. It impacted Christian radio in the United States on April 1, 2022, as the lead single from their collaborative live album, Old Church Basement (2021). The song was initially released as a promotional single on March 26, 2021. The song was written by Chandler Moore, Chris Brown, Naomi Raine, and Steven Furtick.

<i>Run to the Father</i> 2020 studio album by Cody Carnes

Run to the Father is the second studio album by American Christian musician Cody Carnes. The album was released on March 13, 2020, via Capitol Christian Music Group. The deluxe edition of the album was released on February 5, 2021. Carnes collaborated with Hank Bentley, The Creak Music, Austin Davis, Jeremy Edwardson, Jeremy S.H. Griffith, David Leonard, Dan Mackenzie, Jacob Sooter, McKendree Tucker, and Colby Wedgeworth in the production of the album.

"Wildfire" is a song performed by American contemporary Christian music singer Crowder. It was released as one of the first singles from his third studio album, I Know a Ghost (2018), alongside "Red Letters" on September 19, 2018. Crowder co-wrote the song with Rebecca Lauren Olds and Solomon Olds.

Let It Rain (Is There Anybody) 2019 single by Crowder

"Let It Rain " is a song performed by American contemporary Christian music singer Crowder featuring Mandisa. It was released to Christian radio in the United States on May 31, 2019, as the third single from his third studio album, I Know a Ghost (2018). Crowder co-wrote the song with Ed Cash.

In the House (song) 2021 single by Crowder

"In the House" is a song performed by American contemporary Christian music singer Crowder, released on August 27, 2021, as the second single from his fourth studio album, Milk & Honey (2021). Crowder co-wrote the song with Jeff Sojka and Ben Glover.

References

  1. "Louder Than The Music - Crowder - I'm Leaning On You". Louder Than The Music. February 14, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. "I'm Leaning On You | Chords, Lyrics and Sheet Music | SongSelect®". SongSelect. CCLI. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Crowder Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  4. Davis, Kevin (January 27, 2020). "#1003 - "I'm Leaning On You" by Crowder | BEHIND THE SONG WITH KEVIN DAVIS | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media, Inc. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  5. Weaver, Michael (November 9, 2018). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Crowder, "I Know A Ghost" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  6. "I'm Leaning On You by Crowder". MultiTracks. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  7. Fournier, Toby (February 23, 2020). "Review: I'm Leaning On You (ftg Riley Clemmons) - Crowder - Digital Only | Cross Rhythms". Cross Rhythms . Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  8. "Hot Christian Songs Chart | Billboard". Billboard . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. February 25, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  9. "I'm Leaning On You Chart History | Billboard". Billboard . Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  10. "Crowder - I'm Leaning On You (Audio) ft. Riley Clemmons - YouTube". YouTube . YouTube, LLC. November 9, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  11. "Crowder - I'm Leaning On You (Radio Version/Audio) ft. Riley Clemmons - YouTube". YouTube . YouTube, LLC. February 14, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  12. "Crowder - I'm Leaning On You (Lyric Video) ft. Riley Clemmons - YouTube". YouTube . YouTube, LLC. April 24, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  13. "I'm Leaning on You - Crowder | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  14. "I'm Leaning On You - Single by Crowder | Spotify". Spotify . February 14, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  15. "Crowder Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  16. "Crowder Chart History | Billboard". Billboard . Christian AC Songs Chart. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  17. "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End | Billboard". Billboard . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  18. "Christian Airplay Songs - Year-End | Billboard". Billboard . Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  19. "Christian AC Songs - Year-End | Billboard". Billboard . Billboard-Hollywood. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  20. "I'm Leaning on You (feat. Riley Clemmons) - Single by Crowder on Apple Music". Apple Music . United States. Apple Inc. February 14, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  21. Caldwell, Alex (March 18, 2020). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Passion, "Roar (Live From Passion 2020)" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved June 13, 2021.