"Left It in the River" was first released to Christian radio in the United States on July 18,2025. [1] It was premiered with a live performance at K-Love radio stations. [2] On August 1,2025,the song was released as a single to digital download and streaming formats. [3] [4] A live acoustic version of the song was also released on that day. [5]
The song was supported by the release of an official music video for the original version on July 31,2025,and the live acoustic version on October 22,2025. [6] [7]
Writing and composition
Shore Fire Media observed the song to be "Driven by a steady four-on-the-floor beat",with a chorus that states,"Where is my guilt,where is my shame? I left it in the river". [8]
Speaking for K-Love,Michaela Halfast observed "Left It in the River" to be a "praise party from the first foot-tapping downbeat". Comparing it to MacDonald's previous single,"Desperate",she noted that the follow-up "stands in stark contrast to her hit debut",saying that,"If 'Desperate' made you want to cry,'Left It In The River' will make you want to dance," therefore,"solidifying MacDonald as an artist with considerable range." The song was inspired by the process of baptism. [1] [9] MacDonald spoke on the meaning reflected by the song,saying that: [10]
We wrote "Left It In The River" as a declaration of freedom. It’s about what happens when you finally lay it down — the shame, the striving, the weight you were never meant to carry — and you leave it all behind. My prayer is that this song becomes your anthem of joy, renewal and freedom. May it meet you right where you are and remind you of the truth: Who the Son sets free is free indeed!
It is composed in the key of A♭, with a speed of 98 beats per minute and a time signature of 4
4. [11]
Production
"Left It in the River" was written by MacDonald, Wedgeworth, and Gamble. It was produced by Robertson. The song was engineered by David Liotta and Jonathan Buffum, mixed Jack Nellis, and mastered by Sam Moses [12] The live acoustic version of the song was produced by MacDonald, and mixed and mastered by Jordan Sapp. [13]
"Left It in the River" peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs, Christian Airplay, and Christian Adult Contemporary charts, as well as No. 3 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart. [14] [15] [16] [17]
Before its initial entry onto digital sales and streaming charts, the song debuted on the Christian Airplay chart on August 9, 2025 at No. 29. [18] The following week, with its entry into the Christian Digital Song Sales chart at No. 4 and a rise to No. 24 on the Christian Airplay chart, the song entered the Hot Christian Songs chart at No. 29. [19] [20] [21] For the week following that, August 23, 2025, the song entered the Christian Adult Contemporary chart at No. 30. [22]
On October 4, 2025, the song jumped three positions to reach the top 10 position on the Hot Christian Songs. [23] On October 18, the song reached No. 9 on the chart, as well as No. 3 on the Christian Digital Song Sales, countering its previous peak by one position. [24] [17] On October 25, in its eleventh week on the Hot Christian Songs, the song reached its peak of No. 8. [25]
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