What If I Stumble?

"What If I Stumble?"
Single by DC Talk
from the album Jesus Freak
Released	1996 [1]
Recorded	1995
Genre	Contemporary Christian music, Christian alternative rock
Length	5:06
Label	ForeFront/Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Toby McKeehan, Daniel Joseph [2]
Producer(s)	Toby McKeehan, Mark Heimermann [2]
DC Talk singles chronology
"Between You and Me" (1996) "What If I Stumble?" (1996) "Like It, Love It, Need It" (1996)

"What If I Stumble?" is a song by the American contemporary Christian music group DC Talk. Released in 1995, it was the third radio single from the group's fourth album, Jesus Freak .

"What If I Stumble?" received many critical plaudits from Christian sources for its deep and introspective lyrics concerning the possibilities that personal weaknesses could bring shame to Christ. ^{[1] [2]}

Composition

The song features a vocal quote from Brennan Manning.

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Release and acclaim

The song was released as the third single for Jesus Freak in 1996 and received positive comments from Christian music critics.

"What If I Stumble?" was No. 1 for six weeks on Christian Radio. ^[2]

Other releases

Various versions of "What If I Stumble?" have appeared on several DC Talk official releases, including the band's greatest hits album Intermission . ^[6] A live version of "What If I Stumble?" was included on the 1997 live release Welcome to the Freak Show . ^[7]

Cover versions

On the DC Talk tribute album, Freaked! , Sarah Kelly recorded a cover of "What If I Stumble?" ^[8]

Personnel

• Toby McKeehan  – vocals, production ^[9]
• Michael Tait  – vocals ^[9]
• Kevin Max Smith  – vocals ^[9]
• John Painter – bass guitar ^[9]
• Chris Rodriquez – guitar ^[9]
• Jerry McPherson – mandolin ^[9]
• John Painter – bass guitar, guitar, accordion ^[9]
• Todd Collins – programming, cowbell, drums ^[9]
• Shawn McWilliams – drums ^[9]
• Todd Collins – percussion ^[9]
• Mark Heimermann – production, vocal arrangement ^[9]

Accolades

Publication	Country	Accolade	Year	Rank
CCM Magazine	United States	100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music [2]	2006	31

References

• Farias, Andree. Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge, 2005. ISBN   0-415-94179-2
• Taff, Tori. 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music. Integrity, 2006. ISBN   1-59145-210-4

Notes

1. Jeremy Gibson (2002-02-06). "dc Talk, "Jesus Freak" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
2. Taff, pg. 103
3. Simpson, Ben (April 16, 2013). "The Ragamuffin Legacy". Relevant Magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
4. "The Ragamuffin Legacy". 16 April 2013.
5. Yoars, Marcus (April 13, 2013). "'Ragamuffin Gospel' Author Brennan Manning Dies". Charisma News. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
6. Steven Losey. "( Intermission: The Greatest Hits > Overview )". Allmusic . Retrieved 2010-07-22.
7. Rodney Batdorf. "( Welcome to the Freak Show > Overview )". Allmusic . Retrieved 2010-07-22.
8. John DiBiase (2010-07-20). "Freaked! A Gotee Tribute to dc Talk's "Jesus Freak"". Jesus Freak Hideout.
9. Jesus Freak (liner). DC Talk. California, United States: ForeFront Records/Virgin Records. 1995.