Released January 26, 2010 Genre CCM Label Razor & Tie | Format CD single Length 3:48 Writer(s) Dave Barnes | |
"God Gave Me You" is a song written and originally recorded by American contemporary Christian music singer Dave Barnes. It was released in January 2010 as the lead single from the album, What We Want, What We Get.
Contents
History
Barnes wrote the song after the title came to him while he was walking through London, England. He told Country Weekly that "the lyrics just flowed together with the melody" when he wrote it. Barnes also said that he was inspired by his wife, Annie, who supported him "through all the ups and downs of an artist's career." After releasing it, he said that he received mail from fans who said that the song's message "saved marriages or became a theme for a couple's relationship."
Music video
Barnes' version features a music video directed by Joey Boukadakis.
Blake Shelton version
In 2011, country music singer Blake Shelton covered the song for his album Red River Blue. It was released in July 2011 as the second single from this album. Shelton heard Barnes' version of the song on a contemporary Christian station, and said that it inspired him to propose to then-girlfriend Miranda Lambert (now ex-wife); the music video included footage from Lambert the night before their wedding. on November 30, the song received a nomination in 54th Grammy Awards for Best Country Song.
Critical reception
Jessica Phillips of Country Weekly called the song "the romantic zenith of the album". Rolling Stone reviewer Will Hermes said that it was a "spirited cover" that "makes the most of its big, sculpted hooks". Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine was less favorable, saying in his review of the album, "His weakness for overwrought, schmaltzy pop ballads rears its head on second single 'God Gave Me You,' which sounds like something Bryan Adams or Foreigner would have recorded 20 years ago." Similarly, Melissa Mairz of Entertainment Weekly thought that it was a "schmaltzy power ballad". Engine 145 writer Karlie Justus gave it a thumbs-down, with her review saying that Shelton's "honest, vibrant vocal performance is nearly canceled out by a tinny instrumental mix of anonymous background vocals and a looping drum beat".
Music video
The music video was directed by Trey Fanjoy and premiered in September 2011.
Chart performance
"God Gave Me You" debuted at number 56 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of July 23, 2011, and it debuted at number 65 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of July 11, 2011. On the chart dated October 29, 2011, "God Gave Me You" became Shelton's fifth consecutive Number One single and his tenth overall. It has sold 2,514,000 copies in the United States as of November 2014.