Speechless (Steven Curtis Chapman album)

Speechless is the ninth studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman. It was released on June 3, 1999, by Sparrow Records.

Speechless
Studio album by Steven Curtis Chapman
Released	June 3, 1999
Genre	CCM
Length	55:25
Label	Sparrow
Producer	Brown Bannister and Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman chronology
Greatest Hits (1997) Speechless (1999) Declaration (2001)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[2]

It was certified platinum by the RIAA on November 27, 2000. Chapman received the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album and Dove Awards for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (for "Dive").

The album provided more No. 1 chart singles (seven) on Christian contemporary radio than any of Chapman's other albums: "The Change", "Fingerprints of God", "The Invitation", "Great Expectations", "Be Still And Know", "Dive" and the title song "Speechless". The album is considered one of Chapman's greater works by many and is recognized by many as being one of the best Christian albums of all time.[3]

The concert tour in support of Speechless featured Chapman's longtime friend and co-writer Geoff Moore.

Track listing

All songs were written by Steven Curtis Chapman, except where noted.

1. "Dive" – 3:57
2. "Speechless" (Chapman, Geoff Moore) – 5:06
3. "The Change" (Chapman, James Issac Elliot) – 3:46
4. "Great Expectations" – 5:02
5. "Next 5 Minutes" (Adam Anders, Chapman) – 4:19
6. "Fingerprints of God" – 4:02
7. "The Invitation" (Chapman, Moore) – 4:57
8. "Whatever" – 4:01
9. "I Do Believe" – 4:01
10. "What I Really Want to Say" – 4:22
11. "With Hope" – 5:12
12. "The Journey" (Chapman, J.A.C. Redford) – 3:05
13. "Be Still and Know" – 3:19

Track information

• Chapman dedicated the song "Fingerprints of God" to his daughter Emily who, at the time had turned 13.[4]
• "With Hope" was written for a family, the Mullicans (friends of the Chapmans), who lost a child. It was later sung in honor of the victims of the shooting at Heath High School in Paducah, Kentucky, Chapman's alma mater.[5]
• "What I Really Want to Say" is dedicated to Chapman's wife, Mary Beth.

Personnel

Musicians

• Steven Curtis Chapman – lead vocals, backing vocals (1-6, 8, 9), acoustic guitar (1, 2, 4-11), electric guitar (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11), dobro (1, 5, 8), "Papoose" guitar (2, 3), mandolin (2, 7), synth solo (8), track arrangements, handclaps (6)
• Randy Pearce – electric guitar (1-11), track arrangement (5), acoustic guitar (7)
• Scott Sheriff – backing vocals (1, 3, 6, 8), piano (4), Hammond B3 organ (6)
• Shane Keister – piano (2, 13)
• Hardy Hemphill – piano (11)
• Adam Anders – bass guitar (1-11), programming (1-4, 8, 9, 10), track arrangement (1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10)
• Will Denton – drum loops (1), drums (2, 3, 5-8, 10, 11), track arrangement (5)
• Eric Darken – percussion (2, 8, 10)
• The London Session Orchestra – strings (2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 12, 13)
• Gavyn Wright – concertmaster
• J.A.C. Redford – orchestral arrangement (2, 4, 7, 12, 13)
• Carl Marsh – orchestral arrangement (3, 10)
• Scott Sheriff – choir member (2)
• Hardy Hemphill – choir member (2)
• Stacy Jeanette – choir member (2)
• Mark Smeby – choir member (2)
• Tina Tyler – choir member (2)
• Marvin Copaus – choir member (2)
• Rhonda Hampton – choir member (2)
• Scot Tyler – choir member (2)
• Layde Love Smith – choir member (2)
• Andy Sperry – choir member (2)
• Shari Davis – choir member (2)
• Teresa Easterling – choir member (2)
• Emily Chapman – scripture reading (3)
• Caleb Chapman – scripture reading (3)
• Will Franklin Chapman – scripture reading (3)
• Chris Eaton – backing vocals (9)
• Steve Bishir – handclaps (6)
• David Trask – handclaps (6)
• Ray Mullican – handclaps (6)
• Hank Nirider – handclaps (6)

Recording and production

• Brown Bannister – producer
• Steven Curtis Chapman – producer
• Peter York – executive producer
• Dan Raines – executive producer
• Traci Sterling Bishir – production manager
• Bill Baumgart – A&R coordinator
• Steve Bishir – recording, mixing
• Sound Kitchen, Franklin, Tennessee – recording location, mixing location
• Hank Nirider – recording assistant, mixing assistant, additional engineering
• Jedd Hackett – recording assistant
• Melissa Mattey – recording assistant
• Aaron Swihart – additional engineering
• Shane Wilson – additional engineering
• Gary Paczosa – additional engineering
• JB – additional engineering
• Patrick Kelly – additional engineering
• Mark Tucker – orchestra recording
• Abbey Road Studio, London – orchestra recording location
• Andrew Dudman – orchestra recording assistant
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Sterling Sound, New York City – mastering location
• Wayne Brezinka – art direction
• Jan Cook – art direction
• Wayne Brezinka – design
• Christiév Carothers – creative director
• Robert Fleischauer – photography
• Gino Tanabe – stylist
• Catherine Furness – grooming

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1999) Peak position US Billboard 200[6] 31 US Christian Albums (Billboard)[7] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position US Billboard 200[8] 182

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9]	Platinum	1,000,000^^
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Speechless at AllMusic
2. "Steven Curtis Chapman, "Speechless" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. June 15, 1999. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
3. #1 Radio History Archived November 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
4. Connection Magazine (November 2000). "Story Behind Song".
5. Connection Magazine. "Curtis Chapman".
6. "Steven Curtis Chapman Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
7. "Steven Curtis Chapman Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
8. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
9. "American album certifications – Steven Curtis Chapman – Speechless". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 22, 2021. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.