The Blessing (song)

"The Blessing" is a song performed by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Elevation Worship, released as the lead single from Elevation Worship's twelfth live album, Graves into Gardens (2020),[1] as well as Kari Jobe's third live album, The Blessing (2020),[2] on March 20, 2020.[3] The song was written by Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe and Steven Furtick.[4] Chris Brown handled the production of the single.

"The Blessing"
Single by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Elevation Worship
from the album Graves into Gardens and The Blessing
ReleasedMarch 20, 2020 (2020-03-20)
RecordedMarch 1, 2020
VenueElevation Ballantyne, Charlotte, North Carolina, US
GenreContemporary worship music
Length8:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • C. Brown
Kari Jobe singles chronology
"Cover the Earth"
(2018)		 "The Blessing"
(2020)
Cody Carnes singles chronology
"Christ Be Magnified"
(2020)		 "The Blessing"
(2020)
Elevation Worship singles chronology
"Impresionante"
(2020)		 "The Blessing"
(2020)		 "Graves into Gardens"
(2020)
Music videos
"The Blessing" (Live from Elevation Ballantyne) on YouTube
"The Blessing" (Living Room Session) on YouTube
"The Blessing" (Live from Home) on YouTube
"The Blessing" (Lyrics) on YouTube

"The Blessing" was a commercial success upon its release, having debuted at No. 3 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.[5] It peaked at No. 2 on Hot Christian Songs chart, and No. 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. It has been certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "The Blessing" won the GMA Dove Award for Worship Recorded Song of the Year at the 2020 GMA Dove Awards. It has also garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 2021 Grammy Awards. It was further recorded into dozens of cover versions by various artists, produced in various languages and in different parts of the world.

Background

Initially, "The Blessing" was released as music video on Elevation Worship's YouTube channel in early March 2020,[1] with Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes leading the song in a worship service at Elevation Church's Ballantyne campus on March 1.[3] Jobe, Carnes had written the song together with Steven Furtick and Chris Brown in a writing session on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at Elevation prior to leading it at Elevation's Sunday service on March 1, 2020.[3][6] The song became popular on YouTube, leading to the release of the live audio recording on March 20, 2020, to other platforms. The song's music video had garnered over 3 million views on YouTube at the time of its release.[7]

"The Blessing" was serviced to Christian radio stations on May 1, 2020.[8]

Composition

"The Blessing" is composed in the key of B with a tempo of 70 beats per minute and a musical time signature of 4
4.[9] Carnes' and Jobe's vocal range spans from F♯3 to E5.[10]

Commercial performance

On the Hot Christian Songs chart dated April 4, 2020, the song debuted at No. 3, while also peaking at No. 4 on the US Digital Song Sales chart.[11] The song had sold 12,000 downloads and garnered 1.3 million streams in its first week, and thus becoming Kari Jobe's and Elevation Worship's fourth top ten hit on Hot Christian Songs and Cody Carnes first top ten on the chart, as well as the highest debut for all three acts. The song is also the highest-charting faith-based song on Digital Song Sales chart in four years since Jordan Smith's rendition of "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" peaked at No. 3 in December 2015.[11]

Music videos

On March 6, 2020, Elevation Worship released the live music video of "The Blessing" featuring Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes recorded at Elevation Church's Ballantyne campus on its YouTube channel.[12] Cody Carnes released a "Live from Home" performance video featuring Kari Jobe to YouTube on March 19, 2020.[13] On March 31, 2020, a "Living Room Session" performance video of the song was uploaded by Elevation Worship to YouTube.[14] Kari Jobe published the lyric video of the song on YouTube on April 8, 2020.[15]

Accolades
Awards
Year Organization Award Result Ref
2020 GMA Dove Awards Worship Recorded Song of the Year Won [16]
2021 Grammy Awards Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Pending [17]

Track listing
"The Blessing (Live)"[18]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Blessing" (Live)
8:34
"The Blessing (Live)" – Apple Music bonus content[19]
No.TitleLength
2."The Blessing" (Live From Elevation Church Ballantyne, Charlotte, NC, January 3, 2020; Music Video)12:10
Total length:20:44
The Blessing EP – Kari Jobe[20]
No.TitleLength
1."The Blessing" (featuring Cody Carnes)7:03
2."The Blessing" (featuring Cody Carnes; Cinematic Version)6:41
3."The Blessing" (featuring Cody Carnes; Radio Version)4:33
4."The Blessing" (featuring Cody Carnes; Radio Alternate Version)4:33
5."The Blessing" (featuring Cody Carnes; Radio Alternate Version 2)4:33
Total length:27:53
The Blessing EP – Apple Music bonus content[19]
No.TitleLength
6."The Blessing" (featuring Cody Carnes; Studio Version/Lyric Video)7:04
Total length:34:57

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[28] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Version Date Format Label Ref.
Various Live March 20, 2020
[18][19]
United States Radio May 1, 2020 Christian radio [8]
Various EP
(Kari Jobe featuring Cody Carnes)		 May 22, 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
  • Sparrow
  • Capitol CMG
 [20]

Cover versions
"I'm so moved by this song and how quickly it came about, because this song is based on Scripture, the message is timeless, and we wanted to release it as quickly as we could, knowing the effect it could have on people's hearts and spirits immediately, as it did ours.

– Kari Jobe, on the decision to speedily release the song.[29]

  • Bethel Music and We the Kingdom collaborated on a rendition of the song which was released on Bethel's album, Peace (2020).[30][31] Bethel Music artist Sean Feucht released a live performance cover of the song featuring Emmy Rose to YouTube.[32]
  • In early April 2020, Selena Gomez released a video performing a cover of the song with Anna Golden and Liz Golden at home on Instagram.[33]
  • On April 8, 2020, during the National Prayer Germany (Deutschland betet gemeinsam) which was joined online by one million people, Gebetshaus (House of Prayer) Augsburg released an impressive video with their German version on YouTube, which reached rank 6 in YouTube trends[34]
  • On April 9, 2020, a women's choral group from Brazil released one of the earliest cover versions of "The Blessing", calling it the Northeastern Blessing.[35]
  • On April 10, 2020, one of the first group of churches in unity to produce a cover of "The Blessing" was called The Pittsburgh Blessing, and was released on YouTube.[36]
  • On May 3, 2020, The UK Blessing channel released a collective version that included contributions from over 65 United Kingdom churches and movements, and tens of other individuals,[37] coming together to sing the song online, with the aim of spreading hope and encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video included the message: "Churches around the UK have come together at this time, to sing a blessing over the nation"; and, "Our buildings may be closed, but the Church is Alive."[38][39]
  • On May 10, 2020, the Haitian Creole cover version of "The Blessing", called Benediksyon, was released. Included with the video were lyrics in Haitian Creole.[40]
  • On May 11, 2020, a continent-wide version of Spanish speakers in Latin America released their "The Blessing" cover, noting that this initiative was crucial in uniting churches from their area.[41]
  • On May 11, 2020, Sasai TeamTalk made possible the publishing online of their national version of "The Blessing" from Zimbabwe, announcing: "Zimbabwean musicians heeded the call to unite and come together as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic."[42]
  • On May 13, 2020, Hawaiian Islands Ministries released a collective version featuring worship leaders from Hawai'ian churches. The YouTube notes with the video included this message: "A gift from the Churches of Hawai‘i, The Hawai‘i Blessing was recorded during the first week of May 2020 by worship leaders from 25 churches across all 6 major islands of Hawai‘i. During this time of sheltering-in-place, isolation and uncertainty about the future, we could all use a blessing and a sense of togetherness. In Hawai‘i, we call that ‘ohana - family."[43]
  • On May 15, 2020, a version was released from Malaysia, which included 120 singers from 80 churches and movements, as they offered their version of "The Blessing" in seven languages: Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil, Kelabit, Dusun and Iban.[44]
  • On May 16, 2020, Canadian churches released their version of "The Blessing", noting: "The Church in Canada is beautiful, broad and diverse and it is a nearly impossible task to accurately represent the full breadth of true diversity within the church in Canada from coast to coast to coast."[45][46]
  • On May 22, 2020, Tamil church members, pastors and worship leaders presented a cover version which was coordinated by Rock Eternal Church.[47]
  • On May 23, 2020, hundreds of singers representing Sweden realized the release of their national version of "The Blessing". Lyrics in Swedish were also included with their video presentation.[48]
  • On May 29, 2020, the San Francisco Bay Area cover version premiered.[49]
  • On May 31, 2020, the French national version, called "La Bénédiction" appeared online performed by singers representing more than 100 churches of France.[50]
  • On May 31, 2020, believers in Nigeria, after coming together to sing "The Blessing" over their nation, presented their work online. This statement accompanied their release: "This prophetic word has been translated into different Nigerian languages and dialects, yet carrying One Sound."[51]
  • On May 31, 2020, from Singapore came their version in which 750 singers representing 177 churches had gathered to perform "The Blessing" in English, Mandarin, Bahasa, Tamil, and sign language.[52]
  • On May 31, 2020, the following statement was put online from a South African collective song group, noting: "During the April 2020 lockdown people from across South Africa united to sing a blessing over our nation. The heart of this is to bless you - to give you hope and peace! Sing this in your homes, proclaim it over your family, your community, your city, your province - over our nation and our continent Africa! Share this with your friends..."[53]
  • On June 5, 2020, the Ghanaian version of "The Blessing" was presented from the West African nation. The following was included in their version: "Worshippers across our nation have come together to join hearts with Christians all around the world to speak life and the blessing of God over our country and the world..." Lyrics in several Ghanaian languages were also included with their video presentation.[54]
  • On June 6, 2020, over 300 local churches offered their performance after uniting together in Australia, thus releasing a premier collective version on behalf of their nation, noting: "This is the first time this has happened... Our desire is to shine the light of Jesus in a time of darkness. We hope that this song will fill you with peace and encouragement. We pray it blesses you, your children and your children's children."[55]
  • On June 6, 2020, a virtual choir from Spain of about 150 singers and instrumentalists representing 67 local churches, groups, choirs, and movements released their version of "The Blessing".[56]
  • On June 7, 2020, a cover version was released, which presented 67 people from 16 Arab nations coming together to record "The Blessing", as well as this note: "Many other versions of this blessing are being recorded around the Arab world. May all who hear this song truly receive a blessing." Lyrics in Arabic were also included with the video presentation.[57]
  • On June 9, 2020, approximately 20 churches and organizations from the nation of Lebanon released their cover version, noting: "At this very difficult time for Lebanon, both with COVID-19 and the economic situation putting huge pressure on people and families, some followers of the Great King have come together to sing a song of blessing over this beloved country and the people of this nation. We are nothing special, He is! Some of the voices are spectacular, some are normal but all sing the love and longing that the Master has for us : He is for you!"[58]
  • On June 12, 2020, the "The Blessing" in Hebrew as "Ha Bracha" (הברכה) was released, after this music video was produced in Jerusalem, Israel.[59]
  • On June 12, 2020, the Uzbekistan cover version of The Blessing was placed online. Included with the video were lyrics in Uzbek.[60]
  • On June 14, 2020, a cover version was released, which presented 72 singers worshipping in 20 languages of Indonesia to record "The Blessing".[61]
  • On June 15, 2020, a virtual choir from Nepal offered their performance online from both inside and outside of the country to sing and proclaim "The Blessing" over the Nepali nation. Lyrics in Latin, thus non-Devanagari, script of the Nepali, were also included to their video presentation.[62]
  • On June 20, 2020 "The Blessing" for Sri Lanka - ආශීර්වාදය - ஆசீர்வாதம்" with English, Sinhala, Tamil sung vocals and Hebrew spoken content was released on YouTube. This project came about from a vision to see the Body of Christ in Sri Lanka come together in the unity of the Spirit to bring healing and transformation to their country.[63]
  • On June 21, 2020, the Egyptian cover version of The Blessing was released.[64]
  • On July 18, 2020, The Blessing China | 中文 | 祝福 cover version was released.[65]
  • On July 20, 2020, the Kenya cover version of "The Blessing" was published online. Worship leaders across the country came together to sing the blessing in Swahili, the country's lingua franca over their nation.[66]
  • On August 8, 2020, the Indian cover version of The Blessing was released. The song premiered on Red Sea Films’ YouTube channel and featured artists and leaders representing over a dozen different languages and states, spanning the length and breadth of India.[67]
  • On August 20, the New Zealand cover version was released. The Blessing Aoteroa features more than 200 individuals. This version is mostly in English with a verse in Te Reo Māori and parts in NZSL.[68][69][70]
  • On September 3, 2020, a virtual group of singers and musicians released the Greater Middle East cover version. In that version, about 90 individuals representing 11 ethnic groups, performing in 8 languages, and 11 nations from across the Middle East. They expressed their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, writing: "Our prayer is that our unity and love would bless our region and all the nations of the world."[71]
  • On November 24, 2020, "The Blessing DMV" cover version was released by OneHeartDC (https://oneheartdc.org/), a Gospel Movement located in the Metro Washington, DC region (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia). This version featured contributions from over 100 voices, instruments and visual media artists. The contributors came from churches and ministries across the region who are advancing the Gospel together. “Rarely, if ever has a local group this diverse and of this magnitude and under such circumstances joined together to bless our region in this manner. It celebrates our racial, ethnic and denominational diversities and our unity.”  Howie Levin, Executive Director, OneHeartDC. [72]

References
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  4. "The Blessing | Chords, Lyrics and Sheet Music | SongSelect®". SongSelect. CCLI. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
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  7. "'The Blessing' Video Garners More than 3 Million Views". Premier Productions. March 20, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
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  10. "Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes "The Blessing" Sheet Music (Leadsheet) in B Major (transposable) - Download & Print - SKU: MN0209094". Musicnotes. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
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  30. Longs, Herb (April 10, 2020). "Bethel Music Drops Timely New Album Titled 'Peace'". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
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  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdxMgmN9NpA
  37. Morris, Andrea (May 4, 2020). "Christians Unite to Sing 'The UK Blessing,' Powerful Message of Hope to Bless Others Goes Viral | CBN News". CBN News. Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
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  41. "La Bendición - Latinoamérica (The Blessing) En Español". YouTube. May 11, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  42. "The Blessing Zimbabwe". YouTube. May 11, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  43. "The Hawaii Blessing". YouTube. May 13, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  44. "The Malaysia Blessing - 120 singers sing 'The Blessing' in Malaysia". YouTube. May 15, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
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  46. Ritchie, Flyn (May 21, 2020). "Worship leaders sing with one voice to share 'The Blessing – Canada'". Church for Vancouver. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  47. "The Blessing Tamil". YouTube. May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  48. "The Blessing SWEDEN - Välsignelsen Sverige". YouTube. May 23, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  49. "The Bay Area Blessing – Churches sing 'The Blessing' over the San Francisco Bay Area". YouTube. May 29, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  50. "La Bénédiction France - 100 églises chantent une bénédiction sur les habitants (The Blessing)". YouTube. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  51. "The Blessing Nigeria - Believers sing 'The Blessing' over Nigeria". YouTube. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  52. "The Blessing Singapore". YouTube. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  53. "The Blessing South Africa". YouTube. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  54. "THE BLESSING GHANA". YouTube. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  55. "THE BLESSING AUSTRALIA - Churches UNITE to sing The Blessing over Australia". YouTube. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  56. "La Bendición - España (The Blessing)". YouTube. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  57. "The Arab World Blessing". YouTube. June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  58. "The Blessing Lebanon". YouTube. June 9, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  59. "THE BLESSING in Hebrew! HA BRACHA הברכה (Official Music Video)". YouTube. June 12, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  60. "The Blessing - Uzbekistan". YouTube. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  61. "THE BLESSING INDONESIA (Cover 72 singers/ 20 local language/ Tabernacle Worship)". YouTube. June 14, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  62. "The Blessing Nepal - Nepali Version - The Blessing - Aashish - Virtual Choir". YouTube. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  63. "THE BLESSING for Sri Lanka - ආශීර්වාදය - ஆசீர்வாதம்". YouTube. June 20, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  64. "The Blessing Egypt - بركة مصر بمشاركة الاباء والعابدين والعائلات من محافظات مصر". YouTube. June 21, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  65. "The Blessing China 中文 祝福". YouTube. July 18, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  66. "THE BLESSING KENYA". YouTube. July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  67. "The India Blessing Official Music Video". YouTube. August 8, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  68. "Christians united in song deliver beautiful blessing over Aotearoa". 1 NEWS. TVNZ. August 23, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  69. "Join the choir for "The Blessing" | Aotearoa/New Zealand". Facebook. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  70. The Blessing | Aotearoa/New Zealand Churches join together to sing "The Blessing" on YouTube
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  72. OneHeartDC (November 22, 2020), The Blessing DMV, retrieved November 26, 2020
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