I Can Only Imagine

MercyMe, A Christian contemporary group hit it big with "I Can Only Imagine". It earned three Dove Awards in 2002 for "Pop Song", "Song of the Year", and "Songwriter of the Year" for Bart Millard the group's lead singer.

The song currently has 40 videos associated with it on YouTube and has been redone by Wynonna Judd and many other country and Christian groups. It seems to stand the test of time as Christian radio stations are currently playing it. The words are powerful. Listen to the song, take in the words and just imagine what it will be like when you do come face-to-face with Jesus in heaven.

If you have ever had somebody important in your life pass away, you know as a Christian, that they are up in heaven with our Lord. They are in a better place. We feel the loss down here. We may cry and be sad that they are no longer in our lives, but what a wonderful thing it is to know that they are free of pain, fear, and stress. I can only imagine what is must be like to be in heaven.

Written by Bart Millard

"I Can Only Imagine"

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 your face

Is before me

I can only imagine

[Chorus:]

Surrounded by Your 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

When that day comes

And I find myself

Standing in the Son

I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is forever

Forever worship You

I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is forever, forever worship you

How the song came to be...

Mercy Me's vocalist Bart Millard, whose father died in 1991 due to cancer, wrote the song in 1999 by drawing on his thoughts and personal faith about what one would experience upon meeting Jesus in Heaven.

The song attained the No. 1 spot on Christian radio in 2001 and churches began using the song in their worship services, but it was in 2003 when the song gained airplay on secular radio to impress the crowd. Dallas radio station 100.3 Wild-FM's morning show The Fitz Radio Program first played the song upon a caller's requests and the producer Tony Russell's urgings. It became one of the most requested songs not only at the Dallas radio station but also at radio stations across the United States as the band's label, INO Records, partnered with Curb Records to publicize the song.

The song was originally given to Amy Grant, who revised the lyrics and recorded it as "Imagine". Following the band's record contract, Grant decided to delay her own release of the song to allow MercyMe the chance to record and promote it as their own single first. Grant's version was later combined with "Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus" and released on her 2002 album, Legacy...Hymns and Faith.

Four other country music acts, Jeff Carson in 2003, Kathryn Scott in 2003, Wynonna Judd in 2005 and more recently Emerson Drive in 2007, have recorded their own versions of this song.

Amazing Debut. I'm Sorry I Waited So Long, March 8, 2004

By Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews

When Mercy Me released their first widely distributed CD in 2001, they exploded on the Christian music scene, especially with the hit single "I Can Only Imagine." I heard people raving about them at the time, but for some stupid reason, I didn't give them a try. I finally got this CD a few months ago, and I can see what all the talk was about.

The guys of Mercy Me have created a worship focused CD that is enjoyable as a regular CD as well. It kicks off with the upbeat "I Worship You," a perfect companion song to "Call to Worship" later in the disc. Their passion to worship is seen in these songs as well as such songs as "Cannot Say Enough," "How Great is Your Love," and "Fall Down." Yet all these songs are offered with an incredibly fun pop/adult contemporary sound and thoughtful lyrics that put it above many other modern worship albums.

"Here Am I," a song inspired by Isaiah 6, especially challenged me. It's a catchy tune that I find myself singing, but as I do, I have to ask myself if I really mean what I'm singing.

And of course there's "I Can Only Imagine." This song will be the group's signature song for years to come. Its powerful and thought provoking lyrics question just what our reaction will be when we finally get to Heaven. It's worth buying the CD for this song alone.

I've just been introduced to this group, and I'm already looking forward to picking up their other CD's. If this disc is any indication, Mercy Me will have a long and successful career ahead of them.