"Spoken For" | ||||
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Single by MercyMe | ||||
from the album Spoken For | ||||
Released | September 2002 | |||
Recorded | 2002 in the United States
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Genre | Contemporary Christian | |||
Length | 4:09 | |||
Label | INO | |||
Songwriter(s) | Bart Millard, Nathan Cochran, Mike Scheuchzer, Jim Bryson, Robby Shaffer, Pete Kipley | |||
Producer(s) | Kipley | |||
MercyMe singles chronology | ||||
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Spoken For track listing | ||||
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"Spoken For" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written by Bart Millard, Nathan Cochran, Mike Scheuchzer, Jim Bryson, Robby Shaffer, and Pete Kipley. "Spoken For" has been described as "haunting", and as having a "strong lyrical hook".
Spoken For was released in 2002 as the lead single from MercyMe's 2002 album of the same title. It attained success on Christian radio, peaking atop the Radio & Records Christian AC and INPSO charts, as well as at No. 6 on the Radio & Records Christian CHR chart. It was nominated for Song of the Year at the 34th GMA Dove Awards.
"Spoken For" was written by Bart Millard, Nathan Cochran, Mike Scheuchzer, Jim Bryson, Robby Shaffer, and Pete Kipley; it was also produced by Kipley. [1] The song was recorded in several locations; Luminous Sound in Dallas, Texas, The Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee, Indigo Room in Franklin, Tennessee, HydeAway Sound Lab in Jeckyll Island, Georgia, The Scwoodio in Greenville, Texas, Mountain View Recorders in Glorieta, New Mexico, and Playground Recording in Wylie, Texas. [1] The song was mastered by Richard Dodd at Vital Recordings, [1] and mixed by F. Reid Shippen at Recording Arts in Nashville, Tennessee. [1]
"Spoken For" is a contemporary Christian song with a length of four minutes and nine seconds. [2] The song is set in the key of D major and has a tempo of eighty beats per minute, with a vocal range spanning from A3-F5 [3]
The verse for "Spoken For" (“Take this world from me/I don’t need it anymore/I am finally free/My heart is spoken for”) has been described as "memorable", [4] while the song itself has been described as "haunting". [4] The song's lyrical hook has been described as "strong". [5]
"Spoken For" received generally positive reviews from critics. Kevin McNeese of New Release Tuesday commented that "["Spoken For"] ...reminds us of the importance and adoration that God places on us". [6] Russ Breimeier of Christianity Today commented that the song is "worshipful", [5] also commenting that "MercyMe is destined for another big hit with ["Spoken For"]... I don't think it'll have the same impact as their signature hit, but it's enough to firmly establish MercyMe's popularity". [5] Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms opined in his review of the album that "I particularly liked the haunting “Spoken For”". [4]
"Spoken For" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 34th GMA Dove Awards. [7]
"Spoken For" peaked at No. 1 on the Radio & Records Christian AC chart, holding that spot for a total of seven weeks. In all, it spent 36 weeks on the chart. [8] On the Radio & Records INSPO chart, "Spoken For" held the top spot for six weeks, and spent a total of 21 weeks on the chart. [8] On the Radio & Records Christian CHR chart, "Spoken For" peaked at No. 6, spending a total of 28 weeks on the chart. [8]
Chart (2002–2003) | Peak Position |
---|---|
US R&R Christian AC [8] | 1 |
US R&R INSPO [8] | 1 |
US R&R Christian CHR [8] | 6 |
Credits adapted from the album liner notes. [1] [nb 1]
MercyMe
Additional performers
Production
MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian music band founded in Edmond, Oklahoma. The band consists of lead vocalist Bart Millard, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul.
"I Can Only Imagine" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. 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. The song was the last to be written for The Worship Project; in writing it, Millard drew upon his thoughts about his father's death. 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.
Almost There is the first studio album by the American Christian rock band MercyMe. Produced by Pete Kipley, it was released on August 14, 2001, by INO Records. After releasing six albums as an unsigned band, they decided to pursue a record contract because it became too difficult to sell albums, book shows, and manage themselves. The band was assigned to work with Kipley, who had not produced a major project before. Four songs on the album had previously appeared on their self-released albums; the rest were newly recorded songs. Critics have characterized the music on the album as contemporary worship and pop rock, with a more radio-friendly sound than the band's self-released albums.
Undone is the third studio album by Christian rock band MercyMe. It was produced by Pete Kipley and released on April 20, 2004 on INO Records. Following the success of MercyMe's previous studio efforts and their surprise crossover hit "I Can Only Imagine”, they were given significantly more resources to develop the album with. The band also brought in a sixth member, guitarist Barry Graul. Unlike the band's previous songwriting style, which was to write the lyrics first, they wrote the music for the songs on Undone before writing the lyrics. Musically, the album is a progression from the band's previous albums, adopting a guitar-driven pop rock and adult contemporary sound, while the lyrics are personal and convey Christian themes.
Bart Marshall Millard is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as the leader of the band MercyMe. He has also released two solo albums: Hymned, No. 1, in 2005 and Hymned Again in 2008. He received a solo Grammy nomination in the category of Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album for the latter album.
"Homesick" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written by Bart Millard, the song is an expression of grief and longing that was written after the band experienced the deaths of nine people they were connected to in a short period of time. "Homesick" was included on MercyMe's third studio album Undone and was released as the second single from that album.
"God With Us" is a song written and performed by Christian rock band MercyMe. The song is lyrically a worship song, inspired by a question used by lead singer Bart Millard's pastor.
The Worship Project is the fifth self-released album by American Christian rock band MercyMe. Produced by the band and recorded by Jim Bryson, the album was released on October 14, 1999. In contrast to the band's previous efforts, which were influenced by grunge music, The Worship Project is a worship album. MercyMe wrote songs for the album using a basic verse–chorus style so as to be easy to learn and sing along to and to easily fit on a PowerPoint screen. The album incorporates alternative, rock, and pop musical styles, as well as "rootsy" elements like organs and violins.
Coming Up to Breathe is the fourth studio album by Christian rock band MercyMe. Released on April 25, 2006, by INO Records, the album was intended by MercyMe to be edgier than their previous albums. Coming Up to Breathe sold 58,000 copies its first week, MercyMe's biggest sales week at the time. It debuted and peaked at number one on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, number five on the Rock Albums chart, and number thirteen on the Billboard 200. It also appeared on the Alternative Albums chart in 2007, peaking at number thirteen. Coming Up to Breathe was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2007, signifying shipments of over 500,000 copies.
Spoken For is the second studio album by Christian rock band MercyMe. Produce by Pete Kipley, the album was released on October 1, 2002, by INO Records. The album's production, which followed the success of "I Can Only Imagine" on Christian radio, was described by lead singer Bart Millard as "nerve-racking"; the album musically represents a shift in the band's musical style, with critics variously identifying it as roots rock, pop rock, or adult contemporary. Lyrically, the album focuses on worship and the concept of Christians as being "spoken for" by God.
"Here with Me" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written and composed by the band, as well as Peter Kipely, Dan Muckala, and Brad Russell, "Here with Me" is a ballad with a musical style influenced by worship, pop, and rock music; the overall sound has been compared to that of alternative rock band Coldplay. "Here with Me" lyrically discusses the omnipresence of God.
"Word of God Speak" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written by Bart Millard and Pete Kipley, "Word of God Speak" uses sparse instrumentation, featuring only piano and strings to accompany Millard's vocals. The lyrics to "Word of God Speak" reflect on the idea that it is impossible to speak of an infinite God with a limited vocabulary.
Hold Fast is a song written and recorded Christian rock band MercyMe. It was released as the second single from their 2006 album Coming Up to Breathe.
"Finally Home" is a song by contemporary Christian music band MercyMe. Co-written by Bart Millard, Barry Graul, and Mike Scheuchzer, the song has lyrical themes revolving around heaven, with the music written around an acoustic guitar riff. It also contains musical influences from country and pop music, and features harmony vocals from Millard.
"The Change Inside of Me" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written by MercyMe and Pete Kipley, it was released on May 2, 2003 as the third single from the band's 2002 album Spoken For. Described as a power ballad, the song incorporates a rock sound featuring guitar and drums; it has also been described as a pop rock and adult contemporary song. The song was received positively by music critics, who praised the song's hook and sound, and peaked at number eight on the Radio & Records Christian AC chart.
"The Hurt & the Healer" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written by Bart Millard, Robby Shaffer, Jim Bryson, Mike Schuechzer, Nathan Cochran, and Barry Graul, it was released as the lead single from the band's upcoming album of the same title. The idea for the song came after the death of Millard's firefighter cousin, who died while fighting a fire, and the song's early completion resulted in the album being pushed back so that the band could make sure the rest of the album "held its own".
MercyMe, It's Christmas is the second Christmas album by MercyMe, released on October 9, 2015, through Fair Trade Services. The album was produced by Brown Bannister and Ben Shive.
"Bless Me Indeed " is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written by the band and produced by Pete Kipley, it was released as the lead single from the band's 2001 album Almost There. The song was written at the request of the band's record label, who wanted to produce a song based on the popular book The Prayer of Jabez (2000). Although the band did not want to write it at first, they eventually relented and recorded it.
Lifer is the ninth studio album from contemporary Christian music band MercyMe, which was released on March 31, 2017, by Fair Trade Services. The album was produced by David Garcia, Ben Glover and Solomon Olds.
"Grace Got You" is a song by American contemporary Christian music band MercyMe from their 2017 album Lifer. The song features guest vocals from American hip hop artist John Reuben. It was released on March 2, 2018, as the second single. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. It also reached at No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart, becoming their record extending 15th chart topper. It lasted 37 weeks on the overall chart. The song is played in a B minor key, and 87 beats per minute.
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