"Raise a Hallelujah" is a song by Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser, which was released as the second single from Bethel Music's eleventh live album, Victory (2019), on March 8, 2019.[1] The song was written by Jake Stevens, Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser and Molly Skaggs.[2] Ed Cash handled the production of the single.[3]

"Raise a Hallelujah"
Single by Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser
from the album Victory
ReleasedMarch 8, 2019 (2019-03-08)
Recorded2018
Genre
Length7:51
4:04 (studio)
LabelBethel Music
Songwriter(s)
  • Jake Stevens
  • Jonathan David Helser
  • Melissa Helser
  • Molly Skaggs
Producer(s)Ed Cash
Bethel Music singles chronology
"Stand in Your Love"
(2018)
"Raise a Hallelujah"
(2019)
"Alabaster Heart"
(2019)
Jonathan David & Melissa Helser singles chronology
"You Came (Lazarus)"
(2017)
"Raise a Hallelujah"
(2019)
"I Believe"
(2022)
Music videos
"Raise a Hallelujah" (Acoustic) on YouTube
"Raise a Hallelujah" (Live) on YouTube
"Raise a Hallelujah" (Lyrics) on YouTube
Audio sample
"Raise a Hallelujah"

"Raise a Hallelujah" is Bethel Music's as well as Jonathan and Melissa Helser's first single to breakthrough to the top ten sector of the US Hot Christian Songs chart,[4] peaking at No. 2. The song became their first No. 1 entry on the Christian Airplay chart,[5] and also charted on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 at No. 17, becoming the highest-charting single for all three acts. The song was nominated for Worship Recorded Song of the Year at the 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards.[6]

Background

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"Raise a Hallelujah" was initially released by Bethel Music on January 4, 2019, as one of four promotional singles from Victory (2019), in the lead-up to its release which was slated for January 25, 2019.[7] The song was born out of a spontaneous moment in worship and prayer as the Helsers processed and responded to the news that Jaxon Taylor, the son of Bethel Music chief executive officer Joel Taylor, had contracted Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) which had been caused by an E. coli infection, and was in a life-threatening situation.[8][9] Joel Taylor, in an interview with Faithwire, shared that Jonathan David Helser had then recorded what was an almost complete song and sent it to him, which he then played over Jaxon, who was lying in a hospital bed, from his phone repeatedly.[10] Over time, Jaxon fully recovered from the sickness.[11] Joel Taylor also indicated in his interview with Faithwire that the song was never planned to be on the album, calling the song's inclusion on the album was a "last minute decision," and noted that it was being prepared for a nationwide radio debut.[10]

The studio-recorded version of "Raise a Hallelujah" was released in digital format on March 8, 2019.[1] The song then impacted Christian radio in the United States on March 15, 2019.[12]

Composition

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"Raise a Hallelujah" is composed in the key of D♭ with a moderate rock tempo of 82 beats per minute and a musical time signature of 4
4
.[13] The vocal range of the singers spans from A♭3 to B♭4.[14]

Commercial performance

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Following the song's release as a promotional single, "Raise a Hallelujah" made its debut at No. 28 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart dated January 19, 2019, as published by Billboard.[15] It concurrently debuted on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart at No. 4 that same week.[16] Billboard reported that "Raise a Hallelujah" broke through the top ten of the Hot Christian Songs chart, debuting at No. 8 because of substantial gains in radio airplay,[4] the feat being achieved after spending 19 weeks on the chart.[17] The song went on to peak at No. 2 on Hot Christian Songs.[18] "Raise a Hallelujah" became the first No. 1 Christian Airplay chart entry for Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser, reaching the peak on the August 24-dated chart.[5]

Music videos

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Bethel Music released the live music video of "Raise a Hallelujah" with Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser leading the song during a worship service at Bethel Church through their YouTube channel on January 3, 2019.[19] Melissa Helser revealed in an Instagram post that it was the first time they sang the song to Jaxon since recovering and being released from the hospital.[11] The lyric video of the song was released on January 24, 2019, on YouTube by Bethel Music.[20] An acoustic performance video shot on location in North Carolina, with the Helsers singing was published on YouTube on September 4, 2019.[21]

Accolades

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Awards
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2019 GMA Dove Awards Worship Recorded Song of the Year Nominated [22]
2020 We Love Christian Music Awards Worship Song of the Year Won [23]
Billboard Music Awards Top Christian Song Nominated [24]

Track listing

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"Raise a Hallelujah" (Studio Version)[1][25]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Raise a Hallelujah" (Studio Version)
4:04

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[33] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

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  • Nevada-based CCM band I Am They released an acoustic performance video of the song.[34]
  • American gospel artist Anthony Evans released an R&B-infused version of the song on his eighth studio album, Altared (2019).[35]
  • British worship band New Wine Worship released a live cover of the song on their album, This Is Love (2019).[36]
  • Passion released a live cover featuring Brett Younker as a promotional single from the album, Roar (Live From Passion 2020) (2020).[37]

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various March 8, 2019 Bethel Music [1][25]
United States March 15, 2019 Christian radio [12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Raise a Hallelujah (Studio Version) - Single by Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. Apple Inc. March 8, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  2. ^ "Raise A Hallelujah - SongSelect® by CCLI® - Worship planning starts here!". SongSelect. CCLI. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  3. ^ "Victory - Bethel Music | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Asker, Jim (May 23, 2019). "Newsboys Notch Seventh No. 1 on Top Christian Albums Chart With 'United' | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved May 24, 2019. Plus, Bethel Music notches its first Hot Christian Songs top 10, as "Raise a Hallelujah," co-credited to husband-and-wife duo Jonathan David Hesler and Melissa Hesler (members of the Bethel Music collective since 2014), rises 11-8. The track adds top Airplay Gainer honors, as it ascends 18-16 on Christian Airplay (4 million in audience, up 62%).
  5. ^ a b Asker, Jim (August 22, 2019). "Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser Top The Christian Airplay Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  6. ^ Longs, Herb (August 14, 2019). "Bethel Music Garners History-Making 14 Dove Award Nominations". The Christian Beat. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  7. ^ Clarks, Jessie (January 4, 2019). "Bethel Music Album 'Victory' To Drop January 25". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Parke, Caleb (February 19, 2019). "2-year-old's 'miracle' healing sparked worship anthem: 'We believe in the power of praise' | Fox News". Fox News. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  9. ^ Clarks, Jessie (February 18, 2019). "Three-Year-Old Jaxon Taylor Inspired New Bethel Music Favorite". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Goins-Phillips, Tré (February 18, 2019). "Interview: Bethel's Joel Taylor Reveals Tragedy Turned 'Victory' That Birthed New Worship Album – Faithwire". Fox News. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  11. ^ a b Jones, Emily (February 20, 2019). "'It's a Song of Breakthrough': 2-Year-Old Healed on Brink of Death Sparks Bethel Worship Anthem | CBN News". CBN.com. Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Jonathan and Melissa Helser - Raise a Hallelujah (Radio Edit) - Daily Play MPE®Daily Play MPE®". Daily Play MPE®. Destiny Media Technologies Inc. February 14, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  13. ^ "Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Music". MultiTracks. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  14. ^ "Bethel Music "Raise a Hallelujah" Sheet Music in Db Major - Download & Print - SKU: MN0192823". Musicnotes. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  15. ^ "Christian Music: Praise and Worship Songs Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. January 15, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  16. ^ "Christian Digital Songs: Top Worship Music Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. January 15, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  17. ^ "Christian Music: Praise and Worship Songs Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  18. ^ a b "Bethel Music Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  19. ^ "Raise A Hallelujah (LIVE) - Bethel Music | VICTORY - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. January 3, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  20. ^ "Raise A Hallelujah (Official Lyric Video) - Bethel Music | VICTORY - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. January 3, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  21. ^ "Raise A Hallelujah - Jonathan and Melissa Helser | Acoustic - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  22. ^ "2019 Nominees | The 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  23. ^ "We Love Christian Music Awards - We Love Christian Music Awards, 8th Annual 2019". GMA Dove Awards. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  24. ^ "2020 Billboard Music Awards Winners Announced : News : JubileeCast". GMA Dove Awards. October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Raise a Hallelujah (Studio Version) by Bethel Music on Spotify". Spotify. 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  26. ^ "Bethel Music Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  27. ^ "Bethel Music Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  28. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  29. ^ "Christian Airplay Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  30. ^ "Christian AC – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  31. ^ "Christian Digital Song Sales - Year-End | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  32. ^ "Christian Streaming Songs - Year-End | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  33. ^ "American single certifications – Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser – Raise A Hallelujah". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  34. ^ "I AM THEY - Raise A Hallelujah (Bethel Music Cover) - YouTube". YouTube. March 15, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  35. ^ Clarks, Jessie (April 15, 2019). "Anthony Evans Releases New Album 'Altared' May 17". The Christian Beat. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  36. ^ Yap, Timothy (August 14, 2019). "New Wine Worship "This is Love" Album Review : Exclusives : Hallels". Hallels. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  37. ^ Longs, Herb (February 29, 2020). "Passion Drops "Raise A Hallelujah" Live Video". The Christian Beat. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
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