Praise You In This Storm

"Praise You In This Storm"
Single by Casting Crowns
from the album Lifesong
Released January 28, 2006
Format Digital download
Recorded Zoo Studio (Franklin, TN)
Lifesong Studio (McDonough, GA)
Little Big Studio (Nashville, TN)
Genre Alternative CCM, adult alternative
Length 4:57
Label Beach Street/Reunion
Writer(s) Mark Hall, Bernie Herms
Producer(s) Mark A. Miller
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Casting Crowns singles chronology
"Lifesong"
(2005)		 "Praise You In This Storm"
(2006)		 "Does Anybody Hear Her"
(2006)

"Praise You In This Storm" is a song recorded by Christian rock band Casting Crowns, released by Beach Street and Reunion Records. Written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms and produced by Mark A. Miller, it was released on January 28, 2006 as the second radio single from the band's 2005 album Lifesong. Inspired by the band's experience with a girl, Erin Browning, who died of cancer, the song has the lyrical theme of maintaining faith through difficult circumstances. A power ballad, "Praise You In This Storm" incorporates a wall of sound dynamic into its alternative CCM and adult alternative sound.

"Praise You In This Storm" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song's sound and lyrical theme. It was nominated for two awards at the 38th GMA Dove Awards, winning the award for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs and Hot Christian AC charts and also topped the Radio & Records Christian AC and Soft AC/Inspirational charts. It has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying sales of over 500,000 digital downloads in the United States.

Background and recording

Lead vocalist Mark Hall says that "Praise You In This Storm" was inspired by the band's experience with a little girl, Erin Browning.[1] The band made arrangements to meet Erin, who had performed a dance at her public school to one of the band's songs, and her family on Valentine's Day 2004 before one of their concerts.[1] Right around the time the band connected with Erin and her family was when she was found to have cancer.[2] Erin died on November 1, 2004.[1] According to Hall, "Watching [Erin's mother] walk through this really showed me truth about my worship. Watching her walk through a real storm showed me that my worship was extremely situational".[2] Hall began writing the song before Erin's death and told her about it, but was not able to complete it before she died.[2]

"Praise You In This Storm" was written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms. It was produced by Mark A. Miller, with recording and mixing done by Sam Hewitt at Zoo Studio in Franklin, Tennessee. Additional recording was done at Lifesong Studio in McDonough, Georgia. It was mastered by Richard Dodd and engineered by Dale Oliver and John Lewis Lee III. The strings on "Praise You In This Storm" were arranged by Bobby Huff and were recorded at Little Big Studio by Boeho Shin and Daewoo Kim.[3]

Composition
"Praise You In This Storm"
A 28-second audio sample of the second verse of the song, which utilizes a wall of sound dynamic.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Praise You In This Storm" is a song with a length of four minutes and fifty-seven seconds.[4] According to the sheet music published by Musicnotes.com, it is set in common time in the key of G♯ minor and has a tempo of 84 beats per minute. Mark Hall's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of B3 to the high note of E5.[5] A power ballad,[6] "Praise You In This Storm" is an alternative CCM and adult alternative song.[5] It utilizes a wall of sound dynamic[7] and its lyrical theme, "maintaining faith through difficult circumstances",[8] has been compared to that of the biblical character Job.[9]

Critical reception and accolades

"Praise You In This Storm" received positive reviews from music critics following the release of Lifesong. Russ Breimeier of Christianity Today said "it's vertical in focus and a typical-sounding power ballad, but it's not hard to imagine people latching on to its powerful Job-like expression of faith and hope.".[6] John DiBiase of Jesus Freak Hideout praised it as "sonic" and called it a "passionate and emotional worship experience".[10] Brian Mansfield of USA Today felt that the song's lyric "I was sure by now that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away/Stepped in and saved the day/But once again, I say 'Amen,' and it's still raining" would resonate with listeners.[9]

"Praise You In This Storm" won the award for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 38th GMA Dove Awards;[11] it was also nominated for Song of the Year at that same event.[12] At the 39th GMA Dove Awards, "Praise You In This Storm" was nominated for Worship Song of the Year.[13]

Release and chart performance

"Praise You In This Storm" was included as the second track on Casting Crowns' album Lifesong, which was released on August 30, 2005.[14] It was later released as a single to Christian AC, Christian CHR, and Soft AC/Inspirational radio on January 28, 2006.[15][16][17] It debuted at number twenty-five on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart for the chart week of February 18, 2006.[18] It advanced to number nineteen in its second chart week[19] and to number ten in its sixth week.[20] It entered the top five in its eight chart week, moving to number three,[21] and advanced to number two in its twelfth chart week.[22] In its fifteenth chart week, "Praise You In This Storm" hit the number one position; it held that spot for a total of seven consecutive weeks.[23] In total, "Praise You In This Storm" spent a total of forty weeks on the Hot Christian Songs chart.[24] It also peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Christian AC chart and the Radio & Records Christian AC and Soft AC/Inspirational charts.[25][26][27] On the Radio & Records Christian CHR chart, "Praise You In This Storm" peaked at number three.[28]

"Praise You In This Storm" ranked at number two on the 2006 year-end Billboard Hot Christian Songs and Hot Christian AC charts.[29][30] It also ranked at number two on the 2006 year-end Radio & Records Christian AC and Soft AC/Inspirational charts[31][32] and number five on the 2006 year-end Radio & Records Christian CHR chart.[33] It ranked at number eleven on the 2000s decade-end Hot Christian AC chart[34] and at number thirteen on the 2000s decade-end Hot Christian Songs chart.[35] The song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 26, 2011, signifying sales of over 500,000 digital downloads in the United States.[36][37]

Live performances

Since the release of Lifesong, Casting Crowns has performed "Praise You In This Storm" in concert. At a concert on November 12, 2005 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Casting Crowns performed the song as the fifth one on their set list.[38] The performed it at a concert on March 22, 2008 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida[39] and at a concert on February 3, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.[40] On February 28, 2010 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, they performed it as the fourth-to-last song of the concert.[41] Casting Crowns performed "Praise You In This Storm" in concert on February 16, 2012 at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan[8] and on March 8, 2012 at the Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tennessee.[42]

Track listing

Digital download[4]
  1. "Praise You In This Storm" – 4:57

Credits and personnel

Credits lifted from the album liner notes of Lifesong.[3]

Casting Crowns
Additional musicians
  • David Angell - Violin
  • Monisa Angell - Violin
  • David Davidson - Contractor, concertmaster
  • Jack Jezioro - Bass
  • Anthony Lamarchina - Cello
  • Sarighani Reist - Cello
  • Pamela Sixfin - Violin
  • Mary Vanosdale - Violin
  • Kristin Wilkinson - Viola
Technical
  • Richard Dodd - Mastering
  • Terry Hemmings - Executive producer
  • Sam Hewitt - Recording, mixing
  • Bobby Huff - String arrangement
  • Daewoo Kim - Recording (strings)
  • John Lewis Lee III - Engineering
  • Jason McArthur - A&R Coordination
  • Dale Oliver - Engineering
  • Mark A. Miller - Producer
  • Boeho "Bobby" Shin - Recording (strings)

Charts and certifications

Weekly
Chart (2006) Peak
position
Billboard Hot Christian AC[25] 1
Billboard Hot Christian Songs[43] 1
Radio & Records Christian AC[26] 1
Radio & Records Christian CHR[28] 3
Radio & Records Soft AC/Inspirational[27] 1
Year-end
Chart (2006) Position
Billboard Hot Christian AC[30] 2
Billboard Hot Christian Songs[29] 2
Radio & Records Christian AC[31] 2
Radio & Records Christian CHR[33] 5
Radio & Records Soft AC/Inspirational[32] 2
Decade-end
Chart (2000s) Position
Billboard Hot Christian AC[34] 11
Billboard Hot Christian Songs[35] 13
Certifications
Country Certification Units sold
United States Gold[36] 500,000[37]

Release and radio history

Date Format Label
January 28, 2006 Christian AC radio[15] Beach Street/Reunion
Christian CHR radio[16]
Soft AC/Inspirational radio[17]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hall, Mark (September 11, 2006). "He Gives, and Takes Away". Christianity Today. Christianity Today International. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Casting Crowns - Praise You In The Storm - Story Behind The Song". YouTube. Google. August 15, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lifesong (Media notes). Casting Crowns. Beach Street Records. 2005. p. 9.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Lifesong by Casting Crowns". iTunes. Apple Inc. August 30, 2005. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Casting Crowns – Praise You In This Storm Digital Sheet Music" (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD). Musicnotes.com EMI Christian Music Group. MN0050957.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Breimeier, Russ. "Lifesong, Christian Music Reviews". The Fish. Christianity Today. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  7. ↑ Farias, Andree. "The Altar and the Door, Christian Music Reviews". Christianity Today. Salem Web Network. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 DeBoer, Terry (February 17, 2012). "Casting Crowns inspires Van Andel Arena crowd". The Grand Rapids Press. Mlive.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mansfield, Brian (November 21, 2005). "System of a Down zooms way up with 'Hypnotize'". USA Today (Gannett Company). Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  10. ↑ DiBiase, John (August 25, 2005). "Casting Crowns, 'Lifesong' review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  11. ↑ Jones, Kim. "38th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  12. ↑ Jones, Kim. "38th Annual GMA Awards - Songs of the Year Nominees and Winners". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards". Christian Broadcasting Network. February 14, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  14. ↑ Johnson, Jared. "Lifesong Live". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Going for Adds – Christian AC". Radio & Records. VNU Media. January 28, 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Going for Adds – Christian CHR". Radio & Records. VNU Media. January 28, 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Going for Adds – Soft AC/Inspirational". Radio & Records. VNU Media. January 28, 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Christian Songs (February 18, 2006)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Christian Songs (February 25, 2006)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Christian Songs (March 25, 2006)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Christian Songs (April 8, 2006)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Christian Songs (May 6, 2006)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  23. ↑ Number one dates for "Praise You In This Storm":
  24. ↑ "Singles Charts Archive Search". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 20, 2012. Note: User must manually input the correct search information to obtain the sourced information. Type in Casting Crowns in the Artist category and Praise You In This Storm in the Single Title category. Select the desired chart and click on 'All weeks' in the Date category. Then, press 'Submit'.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Hot Christian Adult Contemporary (June 17, 2006)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 10, 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Peterson, Kevin. "Christian AC (July 7, 2006)". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on July 5, 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Peterson, Kevin. "Soft AC/Inspirational (May 5, 2006)". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on May 8, 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Peterson, Kevin. "Christian CHR (May 5, 2006)". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on May 8, 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Hot Christian Songs Year-end (2006)". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Hot Christian AC Year-end (2006)". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Christian AC Year-end (2006)". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Soft AC/Inspirational Year-end (2006)". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Christian CHR Year-end (2006)". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Hot Christian AC Decade-end (2000s)". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Hot Christian Songs Decade-end (2000s)". Billboard.biz. Prometheus Global Media. 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Gold and Platinum Database". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "RIAA - Certification Criteria". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  38. ↑ Mabee, Justin (November 16, 2005). "Casting Crowns Lifesong Tour". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  39. ↑ Pinkham, Paul (March 24, 2008). "Concert review: Casting Crowns serious about faith, not themselves". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  40. ↑ Brownlee, Bill (February 5, 2010). "Review: Casting Crowns". Back to Rockville. The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  41. ↑ Davis, Kevin (March 30, 2010). "A Night With Kutless & Casting Crowns". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  42. ↑ Netherland, Tom (March 11, 2011). "Review: Casting Crowns concert". TriCities.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  43. ↑ "Christian Songs (May 27, 2006)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 21, 2012.

External links