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There Was Jesus

"There Was Jesus"
Single by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton
from the album Rescue Story
ReleasedOctober 3, 2019
Recorded2019
Genre
Length3:43
LabelProvident Label Group
Songwriter(s)
  • Zach Williams
  • Casey Beathard
  • Jonathan Smith
Producer(s)Jonathan Smith
Zach Williams singles chronology
"Rescue Story"
(2019) 		"There Was Jesus"
(2019) 		"Empty Grave"
(2020)
Dolly Parton singles chronology
"God Only Knows"
(2019) 		"There Was Jesus"
(2019) 		"Faith"
(2019)

"There Was Jesus" is a song written by Christian rock musician Zach Williams, Jonathan Smith, and country music songwriter Casey Beathard. A Williams duet with country legend Dolly Parton, it was released on October 3, 2019, as the second single from his album, Rescue Story.[1] It won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 2021 Grammy Awards. "There Was Jesus" received nominations for the GMA Dove Award Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 2021 GMA Dove Awards.

Background

Williams wrote "There Was Jesus" with Casey Beathard and Jonathan Smith, who also produced the song. About the song's inspiration, Williams said the song is about "looking back at 20 years ago when I had no idea that God was in the moment, that He was even with me through some of the hard things that have gone on in my life. Now I can see that He had His hand in everything I was doing." He said he knew the moment they finished writing the song he wanted to see if Parton would consider recording it with him. Williams's team reached out to Parton's manager. When Parton heard the song she loved it. Arrangements were made for the duo to meet in the studio a few weeks later to record it. In a press release Williams recalled, "It was a really cool moment, just to have the privilege to record a song with Dolly Parton. Working with Dolly was a true honor. She has a way of making you feel like you are the only person in the room. She is so down-to-earth and genuine, and I can't wait for people to hear that in the song."[2]

Live performances

Williams and Parton performed the song live for the first time at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards on November 13, 2019.[3]

Accolades

Awards
Year Organization Award Result Ref
2021 Grammy Awards Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Won [4]
Billboard Music Awards Top Christian Song Nominated [5]
GMA Dove Awards Song of the Year Nominated [6]
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year Nominated

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "There Was Jesus - Single by Zach Williams & Dolly Parton". iTunes. Apple. October 3, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  2. ^ "Dolly Parton Featured On Zach Williams' New Song "There Was Jesus"". DollyParton.com. Dolly Parton. October 4, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  3. ^ Staff, The Boot. "WATCH: Dolly Parton Sings Faith-Filled Medley With For King & Country, Zach Williams at 2019 CMA Awards". The Boot. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  4. ^ Warner, Denise (November 24, 2020). "2021 Grammy Nominations: See the Full List | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  5. ^ Longs, Herb (April 29, 2021). "Billboard Music Awards Announce 2021 Nominees For Top Christian/Gospel Artist, Song & Album - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Grein, Paul (August 11, 2021). "2021 GMA Dove Award Nominees: Full List | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "Dolly Parton Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "Zach Williams Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  9. ^ "Zach Williams Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  10. ^ "Zach Williams Chart History (Christian Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  11. ^ "Dolly Parton Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  12. ^ "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  13. ^ "Christian Airplay Songs - Year-End | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  14. ^ "Christian AC Songs - Year-End | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  15. ^ "WAY-FM Top 20 Songs". WAY-FM. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  16. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – Zach Williams & Dolly Parton – There Was Jesus". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
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