Thank God I Do

Album: Lauren Daigle (2023)
Charted: 111
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Thank God I Do" heralds a fresh chapter for Lauren Daigle after she signed to Atlantic Records in partnership with Centricity Music, her longtime label home. Released on March 8, 2023, the piano ballad is the lead single from her third album, Lauren Daigle.
  • In "Thank God I Do," Daigle expresses gratitude for her personal relationship with God.

    I don't know who I'd be if I didn't know You
    Thank God, I do
  • The song was born out of the uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 lockdowns, as Daigle realized the importance of having specific people in her life for a specific purpose. To stay connected with her friends during the pandemic, she started online girls groups, which gave her the chance to catch up with friends she hadn't spoken to in a while.

    The experience inspired "Thank God I Do," a moving tribute to the joy of having a relationship with God and for His provision of the right people in our lives at the right time.

    "Our relationship with God and those around us affects our emotional and mental well-being," Daigle told New Release Today. "The song's lyrics, 'My head is finally clear,' express that sentiment. Our need for human connection highlights gratitude, compassion, and connection in our relationships. It emphasizes the power of love to provide comfort, support, and meaning in our lives."
  • Producer Mike Elizondo spearheaded this song along with the rest of Daigle's self-titled album. Pacoima, California native Elizondo has been in the music industry since the late 1990s. A close partnership with Dr. Dre, which played a significant role in launching the careers of Eminem and 50 Cent, characterized his early career. As such, he has become a prominent figure in the annals of rap music.

    In the years that followed, Elizondo has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, such as Twenty One Pilots, Mary J. Blige, Fiona Apple, and Carrie Underwood.
  • Daigle co-wrote "Thank God I Do" with two other songwriters:

    CCM songwriter/producer Jason Ingram, who has written songs for many contemporary Christian music artists, including Bebo Norma, Point of Grace and Brandon Heath. He co-wrote and co-produced every track on Daigle's second album, Look Up Child.

    Producer Jeff Bhasker, who helped craft Fun's breakthrough album, Some Nights, including the single "We Are Young." His other credits include Kanye West's "All of the Lights," Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk" and Harry Styles' self-titled debut album.
  • Mike Elizondo also played the synthesizer and piano. The other musicians are:

    Philip Towns: piano
    Betsy Lamb: viola
    Rob Moose: cello, violin, viola
    Austin Hoke: cello
    Alicia Enstrom: violin
    Annaliese Kowert: violin
  • Nate Ruess of the band Fun is listed as a writer along with Pink (under her real name, Alecia Moore), probably because "Thank God, I Do" has a melody similar to their 2012 duet "Just Give Me A Reason," which Ruess and Pink wrote together.
  • The song climbed to #1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart dated May 20, 2023. It was Daigle's sixth chart-topper on the tally, following "Trust in You"; "Back to God" with Reba McEntire; "You Say"; her cover of "The Christmas Song"; and "Hold On To Me."
  • Lauren Daigle has spoken openly about her struggle with mental health, and this low-key ballad reflects that. The song was inspired by a seven-hour panic attack that came on suddenly and without warning. She felt like she was going to die and was convinced something terrible was going to happen. The song speaks to the power of faith and hope in the face of anxiety and fear.

    "I didn't know what was going on, but two people sat with me through the night, my mom and one of my friends, and they were so kind, so calm. If God had to show up for me through two people, he chose those two," she told The Guardian.
  • The song was a huge Christian radio success, simultaneously peaking at #1 on Christian Airplay and Christian AC Airplay, plus Hot Christian Songs, Christian Streaming Songs and Christian Digital Song Sales. Another Daigle smash, "You Say," was the only other title to top the five formats at the same time.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."