Who Am I (Casting Crowns song)

"Who Am I"
Single by Casting Crowns
from the album Casting Crowns
Released February 22, 2004 (2004-02-22)
Format Digital download
Recorded Glow in the Dark Studio (Decatur, GA)
Zoo Studio (Franklin, TN)
Genre Adult contemporary, pop rock, Christian alternative rock
Length 5:35
Label Beach Street/Reunion/PLG
Writer(s) Mark Hall
Producer(s) Mark A. Miller, Steven Curtis Chapman
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Casting Crowns singles chronology
"If We Are the Body"
(2003)		 "Who Am I"
(2004)		 "Voice of Truth"
(2004)

"Who Am I" is a song recorded by Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall and produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman, it was released on February 22, 2004, as the second single from the band's 2003 self-titled debut album. A pop rock and adult contemporary ballad, the song is based around the piano and utilizes orchestral sounds. Lyrically, the song is centered on worshiping God. The song received positive reviews from music critics upon its release, with several regarding it as one of the best songs on their debut album.

"Who Am I" received the awards for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 36th GMA Dove Awards, and it was also nominated for Worship Song of the Year. It achieved success on Christian radio, topping the Billboard Hot Christian Songs and Hot Christian AC charts as well as simultaneously peaking atop the Radio & Records Christian AC, Christian CHR, and INSPO charts. It has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying sales of over 500,000 digital downloads. Casting Crowns has performed the song in concert as well as at special events, and re-recorded the song in 2013 for their acoustic album The Acoustic Sessions: Volume One.

Background and composition

According to Casting Crowns' lead singer Mark Hall, the idea for "Who Am I" came while he was driving home with his wife and children one night. Hall, who was having personal worship time during the drive, recounts that he wondered "Who am I to think I can just call up to God whenever I want, from the middle of nowhere, and expect Him to hear me?"[1] Hall says "immediately I started thinking I'm a new creation, I'm more than a conqueror... I'm [also] grass, that is rises up and is gone in a day". In an interview, he commented that "me being a conqueror is true, but at the same time I need to understand that my life is a vapor, and me being able to even pray to [God] is because of what he's done for me".[2] "Who Am I" was produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman. It was recorded at Glow In The Dark Studio in Decatur, Georgia and Zoo Studio in Franklin, Tennessee, and it was engineered by Matt Goldman and Sam Hewitt.[3]
"Who Am I"
A 30-second audio sample of "Who Am I", from the end of the second chorus to an instrumental interlude. A piano-based pop rock and adult contemporary ballad, it incorporates orchestral sounds while building from a soft intro into a rousing crescendo.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Who Am I" is a song with a length of five minutes and thirty-five seconds.[4] According to the sheet music published by Musicnotes.com, it is in set common time in the key of B major and has a tempo of 66 beats per minute. Mark Hall's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of G♯3 to the high note of F♯3.[5] "Who Am I" has been described as a pop rock[6] and adult contemporary[7] ballad.[7][8] Based around the piano[9] and featuring orchestral sounds,[8] it begins slowly before building up into a musical crescendo.[10] Lyrically, the song is centered in praising God,[8] relating a theme of nothingness without Christ.[7][11]

Reception

"Who Am I" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Andy Argyrakis of CCM Magazine described the song as a "standout" from the album.[8] Tom Lennie of Cross Rhythms noted it as one of the best songs from their debut album.[10] In 2007, Andree Farias of Christianity Today described it as one of the many Casting Crowns songs that have become "beloved anthems of the Christian faith".[6] In 2013, Roger Gelwicks described it as an "AC radio favorite" but felt it was "dated".[12] At the 36th GMA Dove Awards, "Who Am I" won the awards for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year;[13] It was also nominated for Worship Song of the Year.[14]

"Who Am I" was released to Christian adult contemporary, Christian CHR, and Soft AC/Inspirational radio on January 22, 2004[15][16][17] as the second single from the band's debut album.[18] It spent six weeks atop the Billboard Christian Songs songs chart[19] and two weeks atop the Hot Christian AC chart.[20] It also simultaneously topped the Radio & Records Christian AC, Christian CHR, and INSPO charts.[21] In July 26, 2011, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA),[22] signifying sales of over 500,000 digital downloads.[23]

Live performances and other uses

On October 5, 2003 at the band's church in Atlanta, Georgia, Casting Crowns performed "Who Am I". This performance was included on their 2004 live album Live from Atlanta.[9] The band performed the song on May 6, 2004 at the Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer event, held at Daytona International Speedway in front of nearly 10,000 people; the band's performance, along with the rest of those participating in the three-hour event, was simulcast nationally on television, radio, and the internet.[24] The band performed the song on October 27, 2004 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Michigan as part of a Bush-Cheney '04 campaign rally. The event was attended by around 20,000 people.<ref name="Casting Crowns "Live From Atlanta" Certified Platinum By RIAA ">"Casting Crowns "Live From Atlanta" Certified Platinum By RIAA". Reunion Records. November 2, 2004. Retrieved April 9, 2013. </ref>

At a concert at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania held on April 1, 2005, Casting Crowns performed it as the third song on their set list.[25] On July 10, 2005 at a concert at Seaholm High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Casting Crowns performed it as their third song in their set list.[26] At a concert at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Casting Crowns performed an acoustic version of the song.[27] At a concert on November 12, 2005 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Stabler Arena, Casting Crowns performed the song as the thirteenth song in their set.[28] The band performed the song at a February 5, 2010 concert at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.[29] In 2009, the band was invited to perform in North Korea at the 2009 Spring Friendship Art Festival; the band's set list at the festival included a Korean-language version of "Who Am I".[30]

"Who Am I" was included on the 2004 compilation album WOW Hits 2005,[31] the 2006 compilation album WOW Worship: Aqua,[32] and the 2008 compilation album WOW Essentials,[33] as well as the band's 2004 live album Live from Atlanta.[9] The band re-recorded the song for their 2013 acoustic album The Acoustic Sessions: Volume One; unlike the original, which featured Mark Hall on lead vocals, the acoustic version features Megan Garrett on lead vocals.[12]

Credits and personnel

Credits taken from Allmusic.[34]

Casting Crowns
Additional musicians
  • Rob Graves – Guitar
  • Bernie Herms – Strings
  • Chris Mosher – Keyboard, string arrangement
  • Jonathan Yudkin – String arrangement, strings
Technical

Charts

Chart (2004) Peak
position
Billboard Hot Christian AC[35] 1
Billboard Hot Christian Songs[36] 1
Radio & Records Christian AC[21] 1
Radio & Records Christian CHR[21] 1
Radio & Records INSPO[21] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[22][23] Gold 500,000 (^)

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release and radio history

Date Format Label
February 22, 2004 Christian AC radio[15] Beach Street/Reunion/PLG
Christian CHR radio[16]
Soft AC/Inspirational radio[17]

References

  1. ↑ Germoe, John (April 14, 2005). "Casting Crowns, Hall Win at Gospel Awards". AP Online  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Casting Crowns - Who Am I - Story Behind The Song". YouTube. August 9, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Casting Crowns CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  4. ↑ Kittle, Ashleigh. "Casting Crowns - Casting Crowns". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Casting Crowns – Who Am I Digital Sheet Music" (Digital Download). Musicnotes.com EMI Christian Music Group. MN0047460.
  6. 1 2 Farias, Andree (August 2007). "Casting Crowns - The Altar and the Door". Christianity Today. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 Breimeier, Russ (September 2003). "Casting Crowns - Casting Crowns". Christianity Today. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Argyrankis, Andy (December 2003). "In Review: Music" (PDF). CCM Magazine (Salem Publishing) 26 (6): 64. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 Vander Loop, Jessica (September 27, 2004). "Casting Crowns, "Live From Atlanta" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  10. 1 2 Lennie, Tom (March 1, 2005). "Casting Crowns - Live From Atlanta". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  11. ↑ Ayers, Belinda S. "Casting Crowns". CBN.com. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  12. 1 2 Gelwicks, Roger (January 20, 2013). "Acoustic Sessions: Volume 1". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Dove Awards History Artist: Casting Crowns". Gospel Music Association. Retrieved August 17, 2012. Note: User must enter "Casting Crowns" and click the "Artist" button to achieve desired result.
  14. ↑ "Nominees for the 36th Annual GMA Music Awards". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on March 22, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Going for Adds – Christian AC". Radio & Records. February 22, 2004. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  16. 1 2 "Going for Adds – Christian CHR". Radio & Records. February 22, 2004. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  17. 1 2 "Going for Adds – Soft AC/Inspirational". Radio & Records. February 22, 2004. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Casting Crowns Sets Record By Claiming No. 1 Position On Multiple Radio Formats". Reunion Records. May 26, 2004. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Christian Songs (July 10, 2004)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Christian Songs (July 3, 2004)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Peterson, Kevin. "Radio & Records". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on 13 June 2004. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  22. 1 2 "Casting Crowns Certifications". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  23. 1 2 "RIAA - Certification Criteria". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Casting Crowns' Sales Numbers & Radio Charting Continue To Hold Strong In Top Positions". Reunion Records. May 13, 2004. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  25. ↑ DiBiase, John (April 3, 2005). "All Things New Tour 2005". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  26. ↑ Summerford, Lauren. "All Things New Tour 2005". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  27. ↑ Argyrakis, Andy (June 2006). "Standing Room Only" (PDF). CCM Magazine (Salem Publishing) 28 (12): 63. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  28. ↑ Mabee, Justin (November 16, 2005). "Casting Crowns Lifesong Tour". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  29. ↑ Brownlee, Bill (February 5, 2010). "Review: Casting Crowns". Back to Rockville. The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  30. ↑ French, Rose (April 12, 2009). "U.S. bands to play North Korea -- Members hope music eases political tension". The Commercial Appeal  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Wow Hits 2005 – Various Artists". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Wow Worship: Aqua – Various Artists". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Wow Essentials: All-Time Favorite Christian Songs – Various Artists". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Casting Crowns – Casting Crowns (Credits)". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Hot Christian Adult Contemporary (June 5, 2004)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Hot Christian Singles & Tracks (June 5, 2004)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 3, 2013.

External links

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