Who Am I (Casting Crowns song)

"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"
Single by Casting Crowns
from the album Casting Crowns
ReleasedFebruary 22, 2004 (2004-02-22)
StudioZoo Studio, Franklin, Tennessee
GenreAdult contemporary, pop rock
Length5:35
LabelBeach Street/Reunion/PLG
Songwriter(s)Mark Hall
Producer(s)Mark A. Miller, Steven Curtis Chapman
Casting Crowns singles chronology
"If We Are the Body"
(2003)		 "Who Am I"
(2004)		 "Voice of Truth"
(2004)

"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 and mixed at Zoo Studio in Franklin, Tennessee by Sam Hewitt, with additional recording conducted by Matt Goldman at Glow In The Dark Studio in Decatur, Georgia. The song's strings were arranged by Jonathan Yudkin and performed by Yudkin and Bernie Herms.[3]

"Who Am I" is a song with a length of five minutes and 35 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.[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] On 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, 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.[25]

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.[26] 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.[27] At a concert at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Casting Crowns performed an acoustic version of the song.[28] 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.[29] The band performed the song at a February 5, 2010 concert at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.[30] 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".[31]

"Who Am I" was included on the 2004 compilation album WOW Hits 2005,[32] the 2006 compilation album WOW Worship: Aqua,[33] and the 2008 compilation album WOW Essentials,[34] 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.[35]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[22][23] Platinum 1,000,000 (^)

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments 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]
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gollark: I looked at the cmark-gfm bindings but needed extensibility.

References
  1. Germoe, John (April 14, 2005). "Casting Crowns, Hall Win at Gospel Awards". Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  2. "Casting Crowns – Who Am I – Story Behind The Song". YouTube. August 9, 2011. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  3. Casting Crowns (DualDisc) (Media notes). Casting Crowns. Beach Street Records. 2003. p. 10.CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. Kittle, Ashleigh. "Casting Crowns – Casting Crowns". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 31, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  5. "Casting Crowns – Who Am I Digital Sheet Music" (Digital Download)|format= requires |url= (help). Musicnotes.com EMI Christian Music Group. MN0047460. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  6. Farias, Andree (August 2007). "Casting Crowns – The Altar and the Door". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on January 6, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  7. Breimeier, Russ (September 2003). "Casting Crowns – Casting Crowns". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  8. Argyrankis, Andy (December 2003). "In Review: Music" (PDF). CCM Magazine. 26 (6): 64. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  9. Vander Loop, Jessica (September 27, 2004). "Casting Crowns, "Live From Atlanta" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  10. Lennie, Tom (March 1, 2005). "Casting Crowns – Live From Atlanta". Cross Rhythms. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  11. Ayers, Belinda S. "Casting Crowns". CBN.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  12. Gelwicks, Roger (January 20, 2013). "Acoustic Sessions: Volume 1". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  13. "Dove Awards History Artist: Casting Crowns". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on June 5, 2012. 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. "Going for Adds – Christian AC". Radio & Records. February 22, 2004. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  16. "Going for Adds – Christian CHR". Radio & Records. February 22, 2004. Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  17. "Going for Adds – Soft AC/Inspirational". Radio & Records. February 22, 2004. Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  18. "Casting Crowns Sets Record By Claiming No. 1 Position On Multiple Radio Formats". Reunion Records. May 26, 2004. Archived from the original on June 6, 2004. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  19. "Christian Songs (July 10, 2004)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  20. "Christian Songs (July 3, 2004)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  21. Peterson, Kevin. "Radio & Records". Archived from the original on 13 June 2004. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  22. "Casting Crowns Certifications". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  23. "RIAA – Certification Criteria". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  24. "Casting Crowns' Sales Numbers & Radio Charting Continue To Hold Strong In Top Positions". Reunion Records. May 13, 2004. Archived from the original on June 6, 2004. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  25. "Casting Crowns 'Live From Atlanta' Certified Platinum By RIAA". Reunion Records. November 2, 2004. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  26. DiBiase, John (April 3, 2005). "All Things New Tour 2005". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  27. Summerford, Lauren. "All Things New Tour 2005". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  28. Argyrakis, Andy (June 2006). "Standing Room Only" (PDF). CCM Magazine. 28 (12): 63. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  29. Mabee, Justin (November 16, 2005). "Casting Crowns Lifesong Tour". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  30. Brownlee, Bill (February 5, 2010). "Review: Casting Crowns". Back to Rockville. The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  31. French, Rose (April 12, 2009). "U.S. bands to play North Korea -- Members hope music eases political tension". The Commercial Appeal. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  32. "Wow Hits 2005 – Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  33. "Wow Worship: Aqua – Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  34. "Wow Essentials: All-Time Favorite Christian Songs – Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  35. "Casting Crowns – Casting Crowns (Credits)". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  36. "Casting Crowns Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  37. "Casting Crowns Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  38. "Hot Christian AC Decade-end (2000s)". Billboard.biz. Billboard. 2009. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
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