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You Say
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| "You Say" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Lauren Daigle | ||||
| from the album Look Up Child | ||||
| Released | July 13, 2018[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2018 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:34 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers |
| |||
| Lauren Daigle singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "You Say" on YouTube | ||||
"You Say" is a song by American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter Lauren Daigle. It is the lead single from her third studio album, Look Up Child.[2][3] Written by Daigle alongside producers Paul Mabury and Jason Ingram,[4] it was released as a single on July 13, 2018.[5] It reached No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, her first entry on the chart.[6] It also reached the top ten in Belgium. It is also Daigle's third No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.[7][8] The song debuted at No. 22 on the Christian Airplay chart, becoming the best start for a non-holiday song by a solo female artist in over eight years, since Francesca Battistelli's "Beautiful, Beautiful" debuted at No. 21 on March 20, 2010.[9] The song has spent 132 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs, the second most weeks spent at No. 1 by a song on any chart; surpassed only by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" which has spent 373 weeks on the World Digital Songs chart.
The song was a huge Christian radio success, peaking at No. 1 on multiple different charts including the Christian adult contemporary (AC) radio chart and Christian AC Indicator chart. It was released to mainstream radio on January 15, 2019, by Warner Bros. From there, it reached the Adult Top 40, Adult Contemporary, and Mainstream Top 40 charts. It was the second-biggest Christian song of 2018 in the US, the biggest Christian song of 2019, 2020, and 2021 in the US, and the second-biggest Christian song of the entire 2010's decade in the US. It is certified six-times platinum in the US, signifying sales of over six million units in the country.
It won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.[10] It also won Top Christian Song at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.[11]
Background
[edit]"You Say" was released on July 13, 2018, as the lead single for her third studio album Look Up Child. The song was released to Christian radio on July 9.[12] Daigle sat down for a podcast with Billboard, and discussed her new single and upcoming album. "I knew this would be a song of my identity," she says. "'You say I am loved.' That's the truth." As for the album, Daigle says, "I want this to be such a record of joy, such a record of hope, that people experience a childlikeness again. In the time of making this record, I had to remember who I was as a child. I want people to reflect on, 'The innocence of my childhood … how do I see myself through those eyes again? How do I love myself like that again? Where's that joy? Where's that hope?'"[13]
Composition
[edit]Sheet music for "You Say" is in the key of F major in common time, with a tempo of 74 beats per minute, and a chord progression of F-Am–Dm–B♭. Daigle's vocal range spans from D3 to A4.[14]
Commercial performance
[edit]The song debuted at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue week of July 28, 2018.[15] In its ninth week, it climbed to No. 44;[16] it reached a new peak of No. 29 in March 2019. It remained on the chart for 43 weeks.[17]
It debuted at No. 33 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart on the issue week of July 21, 2018.[18] The following week, it jumped to No. 1, becoming Daigle's third No. 1 on the chart, and breaking the record for the biggest jump to No. 1.[19] It has since stayed there for 113 weeks, breaking the record for longest running song in the chart's history held by "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United.[20] As of April 25, 2019, it has stayed on the chart for 101 weeks.[21] The song has spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart.[22] The song also crossed over to the Canadian Hot 100, New Zealand Hot Singles chart, and Scotland Singles Chart, and Belgian Ultratop Chart, France, Switzerland and in the Netherlands.
It also debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, breaking the record for the highest-ever debut by a contemporary Christian artist with a non-holiday song.[23][24] It was ranked at No. 50 on Billboard's Decade-End Digital Songs chart.[25] It also crossed over to the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, peaking at No. 5.[26]
The song received a six-times platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on May 10, 2023.
Music video
[edit]A music video for the single "You Say" was released on July 13, 2018.[27] The video shows Daigle singing the song around a house in soft, golden-hour lighting.[28] The video has over 300 million views on YouTube.[29]
Credits and personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from Tidal.[30]
- Lauren Daigle – vocals, songwriter
- Jason Ingram – songwriter
- Paul Mabury – songwriter
- Joe La Porta – mastering engineer
Track listings
[edit]Live performances
[edit]Daigle first performed the single "You Say" in the close out of the 2018 GMA Dove Awards.[33] She also performed the track on Good Morning America.[34] She then performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 26, 2019.[35] On May 1, 2019, Daigle performed the song during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.[36] In December 2020, Daigle performed "You Say" on the season 19 finale of The Voice.[37]
Accolades
[edit]| Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Grammy Awards | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | Won | [38] |
| Billboard Music Awards | Top Christian Song | Won | [39] | |
| GMA Dove Awards | Song of the Year | Won | [40] | |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Decade-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications and sales
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (BRMA)[82] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[83] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[84] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[85] | Platinum | 200,000‡ |
| Netherlands (NVPI)[86] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP)[87] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[88] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[89] | 6× Platinum | 6,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | July 9, 2018 | Christian radio | Centricity | [90] |
| January 15, 2019 | Top 40 radio |
|
[91] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Lauren Daigle – 'You Say' American iTunes Chart Performance". iTunesCharts.
- ^ "LISTEN: New Lauren Daigle Song 'You Say,' New Album Coming Soon". Patheos. July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "Look Up Child by Lauren Daigle". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "You Say – Lauren Daigle (Look Up Child)". PraiseCharts.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle to Release New Album (Listen to first Single Here)". iTunes Store. October 2, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle's You Say Soars to No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Scores First Billboard Hot 100 Entry As 'You Say' Earns No. 53". Billboard. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle's 'You Say' Soars to No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle's New Single 'You Say' Launches on Christian Charts". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Talks Grammy Wins, Capturing Being 'Carefree & Wild' With 'Look Up Child': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ Warner, Denise. "Cardi B Leads 2019 Billboard Music Awards Nominations With 21". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle – You Say". DailyPlayMPE. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle on New Album 'Look Up Child' & Single 'You Say': 'I Want This to Be a Record of Joy & Hope'". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "You Say by Lauren Daigle (Piano, Vocal & Guitar (Right-Hand Melody) – 254690)". sheetmusicdirect.com. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
- ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle You Say Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ "Music: Christian Music Chart – Billboard Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
- ^ "Music: Christian Music Chart – Billboard Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
- ^ Wade Jessen (December 9, 2014). "The Year in Christian Music: Hillsong and Carrie Underwood Triumph - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs Chart". Billboard.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle You Say Chart History". Billboard.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle's 'You Say' Soars to No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ "Music: Digital Music Chart – Billboard Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
- ^ "Digital Song Sales - Decade-End". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle – You Say (Official Music Video)". July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Delivers Beautiful New Music Video for 'You Say': Exclusive Premiere". Retrieved July 15, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle - You Say (Official Music Video)". Lauren Daigle. July 13, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ "Look Up Child / Lauren Daigle". Tidal. August 21, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
- ^ "You Say (Piano/Vocal) by Lauren Daigle". iTunes Store. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ "Tú Dices by Lauren Daigle". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- ^ Price, Deborah Evans (October 16, 2018). "Tauren Wells, Corey Asbury and Colby Wedgeworth Take Top Honors at the 2018 Dove Awards". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Performs 'You Say' On 'Good Morning America'". TheChristianBeat. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ Acevedo, Angelica (February 27, 2019). "Lauren Daigle Shimmers With Performances Of 'You Say', 'This Girl' On 'Kimmel': Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ Rutherford, Kevin (May 2, 2019). "Lauren Daigle's 'You Say' Was the Most-Shazamed Performance at 2019 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ ""Lauren Daigle Performs 'You Say' on The Live Voice Finale"". christianradio.com.
- ^ "61st Annual GRAMMY Awards". GRAMMY.com. December 6, 2018.
- ^ "2019 Billboard Music Awards Winners: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- ^ "Coverage of the 2019 50th Annual Dove Awards - 2019 Dove Award Nominees and Winners!". www.doveawards.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019. Alt URL
- ^ "ARIA Charts Week #517". auspOp. March 25, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle – You Say" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle – You Say" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ "China Airplay Chart/Foreign Language - 03/06/2019". Billboard China (in Chinese). Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming) – SNEP (Week 23, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
- ^ "TÓNLISTINN – LÖG - Plötutíðindi". Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Diagle Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ "Lauren Diagle Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 37, 2019" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle – You Say" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle – You Say". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2019". Ultratop. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ "Rapports Annuels 2019". Ultratop. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2019" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög – 2019" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2019". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2019". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2019 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ "Cross Rhythms– Year-End 2019". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2019". Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Decade-End 2010s". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Decade-End 2010s". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2019". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Lauren Daigle – You Say". Music Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Lauren Daigle – You Say". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "French single certifications – Lauren Daigle – You Say" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – Lauren Daigle – You Say" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved December 10, 2021. Enter You Say in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2021 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Lauren Daigle – You Say" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
- ^ "British single certifications – Lauren Daigle – You Say". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ "American single certifications – Lauren Daigle – You Say". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle – You Say – Daily Play MPE®". Daily Play MPE®. July 9, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases – Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
You Say
View on GrokipediaCreation and Production
Background
In 2017 and 2018, Lauren Daigle grappled with profound self-doubt and an identity crisis amid the pressures of sudden fame following her breakthrough success with previous albums. Transitioning from a waitress in Louisiana to a prominent figure in contemporary Christian music, she experienced overwhelming highs and lows, particularly after the 2017 Dove Awards, where rising expectations led to an inner conflict over her sense of self and security as an artist.[10][11] These personal challenges directly inspired the themes of affirmation and faith in "You Say," serving as the lead single for Daigle's third studio album, Look Up Child, released on September 7, 2018. The song was crafted to explore vulnerability within contemporary Christian music, offering a reminder of spiritual strength and identity rooted in divine truth amid feelings of weakness and inadequacy.[11][10] The track emerged from initial collaboration discussions in early 2018 with songwriters and producers Paul Mabury and Jason Ingram, marking their first joint writing session since Daigle's debut album. During a tour stop, Daigle recounted an emotional breakdown in a worship session, where she felt torn by conflicting directions in her life, sparking the core idea of the song as a personal anchor of faith; the trio completed it in just two hours.[11]Songwriting and Composition
The song "You Say" was collaboratively written by Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram, and Paul Mabury, with its lyrics centering on themes of divine affirmation and identity in faith, exemplified by lines such as "You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing," which contrast personal doubts with God's unchanging declarations of worth and strength.[12][13][14] Musically, the composition is structured in a verse-chorus form featuring two verses, pre-choruses, a repeating chorus, and a bridge that reinforces empowerment through faith, building dynamically from introspective verses to an anthemic climax.[15][12] It unfolds in the key of F major at a tempo of approximately 74 beats per minute, adopting a piano-driven ballad style that gradually incorporates subtle string swells for emotional intensity, particularly in the gospel-influenced chorus.[16][17][18] The song draws influences from contemporary Christian music (CCM) and pop genres, evoking the emotional depth found in works by artists like Hillsong United, with whom Daigle toured in 2015, blending introspective storytelling with uplifting, faith-affirming melodies.[10][19]Recording and Personnel
The recording sessions for "You Say" took place in mid-2018 at Paul Mabury's private studio in Franklin, Tennessee, as part of the broader production for Lauren Daigle's album Look Up Child. The track was co-produced by Paul Mabury and Jason Ingram, who oversaw the sessions to capture Daigle's vocal performances and instrumental layers in a focused creative environment.[20][12] The production emphasized live piano as the foundational element, complemented by strings and subtle percussion to balance intimacy with an anthemic swell. Strings were arranged by Brett Mabury. Percussion elements, handled by Mabury himself, included light drum programming and accents to drive the build-up in the chorus.[21][12] Personnel credits for the track include lead and background vocals by Lauren Daigle, with additional background vocals provided by Morgan Harper Nichols to create a choral-like texture in the layered harmonies. Engineering was managed by the core production team under Mabury and Ingram, while mixing was handled by Mark Endert, ensuring clarity in the vocal delivery. Jason Ingram also contributed to vocal production and arrangement. Mastering was completed by Joe La Porta at Sterling Sound in New York. Other contributors included bass by Tony Lucido and guitar by Akil Thompson and Dwayne Larring.[21][22][12] In post-production, reverb was applied to Daigle's vocals to amplify their emotional resonance, giving the performance a spacious, cathedral-like quality that aligns with the song's themes of affirmation and vulnerability, while maintaining a polished pop sensibility.[23]Release and Formats
Single Release
"You Say" was released as the lead single from Lauren Daigle's third studio album, Look Up Child, on July 13, 2018, through Centricity Music in collaboration with Capitol Christian Music Group.[24][25] The track marked Daigle's first release following her 2015 album How Can It Be, introducing themes of self-worth and divine affirmation that would anchor the forthcoming project.[10] Upon its launch, the single became available for digital download and streaming on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, enabling immediate global access to listeners.[26][22] This digital-first rollout aligned with industry standards for contemporary Christian music, prioritizing online distribution to build early momentum ahead of the album's full release. The accompanying album Look Up Child arrived on September 7, 2018, with "You Say" positioned as its thematic cornerstone, encapsulating the record's message of encouragement and spiritual resilience.[25] Complementing the digital strategy, the initial promotion featured a targeted radio airplay campaign aimed at Christian Adult Contemporary formats, where the song debuted strongly and began accumulating spins shortly after release.[27][28]Track Listings
The single "You Say" was released digitally featuring the original version as the sole track, with a duration of 4:34.[29] A promotional piano/vocal version, serving as an acoustic edit, was issued digitally in 2019, running 4:36.[30] The original recording appears on the standard edition of Lauren Daigle's 2018 album Look Up Child as track 5.[31] Live versions are included on deluxe and special editions, such as the 2024 album Sessions (Exclusive Acoustic Recordings), where "You Say (Live Acoustic)" is track 5 with a length of 4:19.[32] An international variant, the Spanish-language adaptation "Tú Dices," was released as a digital single on May 1, 2020, mirroring the structure of the original, with a double single including "Rescata" issued on May 15, 2020.[33][34]Digital Single
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | You Say | 4:34 |
Piano/Vocal Single
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | You Say (Piano/Vocal) | 4:36 |
Tú Dices / Rescata Single
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tú Dices | 4:34 |
| 2 | Rescata | 3:42 |
Release History
"You Say" was initially released as a digital single in the United States on July 13, 2018, through Centricity Music, serving as the lead single from Lauren Daigle's third studio album, Look Up Child.[24] The track quickly gained traction in digital streaming platforms, marking Daigle's first release following a period of creative development. The song appeared on the full album Look Up Child, which was released globally on September 7, 2018, including physical formats such as CD and vinyl in various regions, distributed internationally by partners including Capitol Christian Music Group. In Europe, a 45 RPM double vinyl edition of the album was issued in 2019 by Centricity Music. In 2020, amid continued popularity driven by streaming and social media, Centricity Music released a Spanish-language version titled "Tú Dices" as a single on May 1, 2020, followed by the double single "Tú Dices / Rescata" on May 15, 2020, to broaden its international appeal.[35][34]Promotion and Media
Music Video
The official music video for "You Say" was directed by John Gray and released on July 13, 2018, via Lauren Daigle's official YouTube channel.[24] Produced by Daigle alongside Joshua Wurzelbacher and Alicia St. Gelais, the video was filmed over a single day on July 9, 2018, at the Nashville studio and house where the album Look Up Child was recorded.[1] The visual narrative centers on Daigle performing in a minimalist interior space bathed in soft, golden-hour lighting, with dynamic abstract projections on the walls—ranging from turbulent clouds and waves to serene light—symbolizing the song's exploration of inner doubt, vulnerability, and ultimate spiritual resolution.[36] These elements underscore the themes of identity and affirmation drawn from the track's composition, creating an intimate, reflective atmosphere through close-up shots that highlight Daigle's emotional delivery.[10] Behind-the-scenes accounts reveal a focused production emphasizing natural lighting to evoke warmth and authenticity, with the quick turnaround from filming to release allowing for minimal post-production while prioritizing raw emotional expression.[1] The video's premiere coincided with rising anticipation for Look Up Child, and it rapidly amassed viewership, exceeding 25 million views on YouTube and contributing to a surge in the song's overall streaming and chart momentum.[37]Live Performances
"You Say" made its live debut at the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards on October 16, 2018, where Lauren Daigle performed the song as the show's closing number, captivating the audience with its emotional delivery and orchestral arrangement.[38] This performance marked the song's first public presentation following its July release, helping to propel it within the contemporary Christian music scene and earning widespread acclaim for its inspirational impact.[39] Daigle brought "You Say" to mainstream television with a live rendition on ABC's Good Morning America on December 20, 2018, showcasing the track's crossover appeal to a broader audience beyond Christian radio.[40] The appearance highlighted the song's growing popularity, as it had already topped the Billboard Christian Airplay chart, and underscored Daigle's emergence as a bridge between faith-based and pop music markets. During the Look Up Child Tour from late 2018 to 2019, "You Say" became a central element of Daigle's setlists, frequently serving as the main set closer to energize crowds across North America and Europe.[41] The tour, supporting the album of the same name, featured the song in dynamic live formats that amplified its themes of self-worth and faith, contributing significantly to its promotion and the artist's rising international profile.[42] In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Daigle delivered a notable virtual performance of "You Say" on the American Idol season finale on May 17, joining winner Just Sam for a remote duet that adapted the song's intimate message to a socially distanced format.[43] This appearance on the ABC competition show extended the track's reach during a time when live events were halted, reinforcing its role in providing comfort and inspiration globally.[44]Reception and Impact
Critical Reception
Upon its release, "You Say" received widespread acclaim from Christian music outlets for its emotional authenticity and vulnerability in addressing self-doubt and divine affirmation. CCM Magazine awarded the parent album Look Up Child a perfect 5-out-of-5 rating, listing "You Say" among its favored tracks.[45] Similarly, Billboard praised the song's crossover potential, emphasizing its soul-stirring balladry that resonated beyond genre boundaries, marking it as a pivotal moment in contemporary Christian music's mainstream integration.[28] Secular reviewers offered mixed perspectives, often critiquing the track's adherence to predictable Christian music conventions while acknowledging its broad emotional pull. For instance, a concert review in The Morning Call described Daigle's performance of "You Say" as soulful and uplifting in message, yet noted its familiarity as "hardly one we haven't heard before," suggesting the lyrics and arrangement echoed longstanding tropes in faith-based songwriting without much innovation.[46] Critics frequently analyzed "You Say" as a bridge between contemporary Christian music (CCM) and mainstream pop, drawing parallels to Adele's introspective ballads for its dramatic piano-driven structure and Daigle's versatile alto range. Stereogum observed that the song evokes Adele's "Someone Like You" in melody and arrangement but infuses it with hopeful, identity-affirming lyrics rooted in Christian theology, positioning it as an accessible entry point for non-evangelical listeners while retaining worship-friendly elements.[47]Commercial Performance
"You Say" achieved substantial commercial success in the United States, earning a 6× Platinum certification from the RIAA, denoting 6 million certified units that encompass a combination of digital downloads, physical sales, and on-demand audio and video streams.[48] By 2020, the single had accumulated nearly 930,000 digital downloads in the U.S., contributing to its early momentum following its July 2018 release as the lead single from Lauren Daigle's album Look Up Child.[49] The song's streaming performance has been equally impressive, surpassing 647 million global plays on Spotify as of November 2025.[50] Overall, "You Say" has generated hundreds of millions of on-demand streams in the U.S. alone, underscoring its enduring appeal in the contemporary Christian music genre and beyond.[49] On radio, "You Say" dominated airplay charts, holding the No. 1 position on Billboard's Christian Airplay chart for a record-setting 17 weeks from September 2018 through early 2019, reflecting strong support from Christian radio stations.[28] It further crossed over to mainstream audiences by reaching No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary radio chart in August 2019, marking the first time a song had topped both the Christian Airplay and Adult Contemporary lists.[28] This radio success, coupled with over 2.3 billion audience impressions by 2020, highlighted the track's broad market penetration and cultural resonance.[49]Accolades
"You Say" by Lauren Daigle won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards held on February 10, 2019.[51] At the 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards on October 15, 2019, the song was awarded Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.[52][53] It received a nomination for Top Christian Song at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, though the award went to For King & Country's "joy.".[54][55] Following its release, "You Say" was recognized by the ASCAP Christian Music Awards as one of the most performed songs in Christian music for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, reflecting its enduring popularity in live and broadcast performances.[56][57]Chart Performance and Certifications
Weekly Charts
"You Say" achieved significant success on various weekly music charts worldwide, particularly within the Christian music genre while also crossing over to mainstream audiences. On the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, the song debuted at number 33 on July 28, 2018, before ascending to number 1 the following week. It accumulated 132 non-consecutive weeks at the top position from August 4, 2018, to August 7, 2021, marking the longest reign in the chart's history.[58] The track also made an impact on the Billboard Hot 100, entering at number 53 on July 28, 2018, and reaching its peak of number 29 on the chart dated March 30, 2019, where it spent one week; it totaled 43 weeks on the ranking.[9] In Canada, "You Say" entered the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 at number 95 on February 2, 2019, climbed to its peak of number 52 on March 30, 2019, holding that position for one week, and remained on the chart for a total of 20 weeks.[59] On the UK Official Singles Chart, the song reached a peak position of number 21 in May 2019 and has charted for at least 24 weeks as of April 2025.[60]| Chart | Peak Position | Weeks at Peak | Total Weeks on Chart | Peak Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot Christian Songs (US) | 1 | 132 (non-consecutive) | 381+ | August 4, 2018 (first #1)[61] |
| Billboard Hot 100 (US) | 29 | 1 | 43 | March 30, 2019[9] |
| Billboard Canadian Hot 100 | 52 | 1 | 20 | March 30, 2019[59] |
| UK Official Singles Chart | 21 | 1 | 24+ (as of April 2025) | May 2019[60] |
