#2 Christian Song of All Time – I Can Only Imagine – The Story Behind the Song

I Can Only Imagine – The Song

According to several web lists, I Can Only Imagine is second only to Amazing Grace in popularity as a contemporary Christian Song (as contrasted to Classical/Traditional Hymns). It is also the #1 selling single.

per SongFacts.com

“MercyMe is a contemporary Christian group, and this song was written by their lead singer Bart Millard. In this song, Millard imagines what it will be like meeting Jesus for the first time.

When we spoke with Millard in 2012, he told us that he wrote the song in about 10 minutes and that it was one of just three songs he wrote where he felt like he was “a spectator watching the song being written” (the others were “Word of God Speak” and “The Hurt & The Healer“). Regarding the song’s meaning, Millard stated: “When my father died of cancer in 1991, he left me with the assurance that he was headed to a better place. For several years following his death, I would find myself writing the phrase ‘I can only imagine’ on anything I could find. That simple phrase would give me peace thinking about what my dad was finally experiencing. Years later, in 1999, MercyMe was writing songs for an independent project. I remember coming home from a show and being wide awake on our bus at 2 o’clock in the morning. I was trying to write lyrics in an old notebook of mine, when all of a sudden, I stumbled across that phrase. About ten minutes later, the song was written. Some people say it’s amazing that it was written in ten minutes when really it had been on my heart for almost ten years.”

This song won the award for Song of the Year at the 2002 Dove Awards.

The video has over 74 million views! WOW!

I Can Only Imagine – The Movie

In the Spring of 2018, the low budget ($7Million) film I Can Only Imagine opened with many reviewers wondering why it was ever expected to break even. Now it has earned $85 Million. This may be small compared to the top-grossing blockbusters, but it shows that there is a market for Christian themed films.

My wife, Lynn, and I saw the movie and were favorably impressed with the quality of it. We had never known the story behind the song and were even more impressed with journey that the songwriter, Bart Millard, had traveled to become a major force in Christian music.

Here’s the trailer.

Close Your Eyes and Imagine

(excerpt)
I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk, by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When you face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by You glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
When I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I would do is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

This song creates a powerful image of meeting Jesus in heaven for the first time. I know just the thought of this captivates me! The first time I heard this song a member of the youth group and good friend of my youngest daughter sang it. She did a great job that mesmerized the whole congregation.

It encourages me to know that there is a hunger for Christian worship and praise music. So much contemporary music is negative – even toxic.

Thanks, Bart and MercyMe. Keep the songs coming.

More Christian Favorite Songs and their Stories

Check out these two popular Christian songs and posts on this blog. You won’t be sorry and the stories behind them are inspiring, too.

Thank You For Giving to the Lord – Tribute to the Billy Graham Ministry by Bill and Gloria Gaither

Precious Lord by Thomas A. Dorsey – Birth of a Song

Etc.

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#2 Christian Song of All Time – I Can Only Imagine – The Story Behind the Song

Thanks. I appreciate it. – Dick S