Holy Forever
{{short description|2022 song by Chris Tomlin}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Holy Forever
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Chris Tomlin
| album = Always
| released = {{Start date|2023|3|10}}
| recorded = 2022
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 5:08
| label =
| writer =
- Jason Ingram
- Brian Johnson
- Jenn Johnson
- Chris Tomlin
- Phil Wickham
| producer = Jonathan Smith
| chronology =
| prev_title = Always
| prev_title2 = Yahweh (No One)
| prev_year = 2022
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|IkHgxKemCRk|"Holy Forever" (Lyrics)}}
| type = single
| header = Music video
}}
}}
"Holy Forever" is a song by American contemporary Christian musician Chris Tomlin. It impacted Christian radio in the United States on March 10, 2023, as the fourth single from Tomlin's fourteenth studio album, Always (2022). Tomlin co-wrote the song with Brian Johnson, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, and Phil Wickham.{{cite web |url= https://songselect.ccli.com/Songs/7201044/holy-forever |title= Holy Forever {{!}} Chords, Lyrics and Sheet Music {{!}} SongSelect® |website= SongSelect |publisher= CCLI |access-date= December 12, 2022}} Jonathan Smith handled the production of the single.
"Holy Forever" peaked at No. 1 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart published by Billboard. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 2023 Grammy Awards.{{cite web |url= https://www.thechristianbeat.org/chris-tomlin-honored-with-two-grammy-nominations/ |title= Chris Tomlin Honored With Two GRAMMY Nominations - TCB |last= Longs |first= Herbs |date= November 15, 2022 |website= The Christian Beat |access-date= December 12, 2022}}
Background
On July 15, 2022, Chris Tomlin announced that he would be releasing a new worship project titled Always on September 9, releasing "Holy Forever" as the first promotional single from the album.{{cite web |url= https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2022/07/15/151630/chris-tomlin-releases-holy-forever-off-new-worship-project |title= Chris Tomlin releases 'Holy Forever' off new worship project |date= July 15, 2022 |website= Niagara Frontier Publications |access-date= November 27, 2022}} "Holy Forever" followed the previously released singles "I See You," "Always," and "Yahweh (No One)."{{cite web |url= https://www.thechristianbeat.org/chris-tomlin-releases-holy-forever/ |title= Chris Tomlin Releases Next Track "Holy Forever" Off New Worship Project - TCB |last= Clarks |first= Jessie |date= July 15, 2022 |website= The Christian Beat |access-date= December 12, 2022}} Speaking with Christian magazine Worship Leader, Tomlin described the song as "the anchor" of Always.{{Cite web |last=Tomlin |first=Chris |date=2022-09-09 |title=Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever |url=https://worshipleader.com/author/chris-tomlin/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=Worship Leader |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDgV_hk6MZY |title=Worship Leader and Songwriter Chris Tomlin - Songs of Deliverance vs. Songs of Transcendence |language=en |access-date=2024-03-27 |via=www.youtube.com}}
Composition
"Holy Forever" is composed in the key of D♭ with a tempo of 72 beats per minute, and a musical time signature of {{music|time|4|4}}.{{cite web |url= https://www.multitracks.com/songs/Chris-Tomlin/Always/Holy-Forever/ |title= Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin |website= MultiTracks |access-date= December 12, 2022}}
Reception
=Critical response=
Jonathan Andre in his 365 Days of Inspiring Media review spotlighted the track as one of three songs to listen to on Always, opining that "'Holy Forever' is my favourite song from Chris Tomlin’s Always, as this track becomes my favourite Chris Tomlin ballad, ever since 'Jesus' way back in 2016."{{cite web |url= https://www.365daysofinspiringmedia.com/reviews/chris-tomlin-always/ |title= Chris Tomlin – Always {{!}} 365 Days of Inspiring Media |last= Andre |first= Jonathan |date= September 20, 2022 |website= 365 Days of Inspiring Media |access-date= December 12, 2022}} Timothy Yap of JubileeCast gave a positive review of the album, saying, "Solely focused on God in his glorious splendor surrounded with a soul-stirring chorus, this reminds us of the type of worship mentioned in Revelation 4 and 5."{{cite web |url= https://jubileecast.com/articles/28240/20220908/chris-tomlin-always-album-review.htm |title= Chris Tomlin “Always” Album Review : Exclusives : JubileeCast |last= Yap |first= Timothy |date= September 8, 2022 |website= JubileeCast |access-date= December 12, 2022}} Gerod Bass of Worship Musician magazine wrote a positive review of the song, saying it "touches on the ever faithful theme with its soaring chorus notes and reverent and honest worship."{{cite magazine |last= Bass |first= Gerod |date= November 17, 2022 |title= Now Hear This |url= https://viewer.joomag.com/worship-musician-magazine-november-2022/0298671001668463112/p30?short& |magazine= Worship Musician Magazine November 2022 |publisher= Adolph Agency Incorporated |access-date= December 12, 2022}}
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Awards |
| Year
! Organization ! Award ! Result ! Ref |
|---|
| scope="row" | 2023
| Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | {{Nominated}} | {{center|{{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2023-full-list-1235171242/ |title= Grammy Nominations 2023: The Full List – Billboard |last= Atkinson |first= Katie |date= November 15, 2022 |website= Billboard |access-date= December 12, 2022}}}} |
Commercial performance
"Holy Forever" debuted at No. 43 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart dated July 30, 2022 as a promotional single.{{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-songs/2022-07-30 |title= Hot Christian Songs – Billboard |date= July 26, 2022 |website= Billboard |access-date= December 12, 2022}} After steadily climbing the charts through streaming and digital sales alone, it was officially released to radio in March 2023. The song would reach the Top 10 after 43 weeks.{{Cite web |last=devops |date=2013-01-02 |title=Hot Christian Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-songs/2023-06-17/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} It ascended to the No. 1 position on the chart dated October 7, 2023, completing a record-breaking 59-week climb to the summit, the longest ascent in the chart's history.{{Cite web |last=Tomlin |first=Chris |title=Chris Tomlin Wraps Record Run to No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs With ‘Ho {{!}} News |url=https://www.christomlin.com/blogs/news/chris-tomlin-wraps-record-run-to-no-1-on-hot-christian-songs-with-holy-forever? |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Chris Tomlin}} It spent four weeks at number one and remained on the Hot Christian Songs chart for a total of 80 weeks, making it Tomlin's longest-charting song.{{Cite web |title=Chris Tomlin {{!}} Biography, Music & News |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chris-tomlin/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} In May 2024, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Music videos
The official lyric video of "Holy Forever" was published via Chris Tomlin's YouTube channel on July 14, 2022.{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkHgxKemCRk |title= Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever (Lyric Video) - YouTube |date= July 15, 2022 |website= YouTube |access-date= December 12, 2022}} A live performance of the song, featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson, was released on his channel on April 28, 2023, which was recorded during his seventh Good Friday Nashville concert in Bridgestone Arena.{{Cite web |last=News |first=C. C. M. |date=2023-05-01 |title=Chris Tomlin Releases Live Performance Video for Single 'Holy Forever' |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/chris-tomlin-releases-live-performance-video-for-single-holy-forever/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=CCM Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlEEgMWwxhc |title=Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever (Live) feat. Jenn & Brian Johnson |language=en |access-date=2024-03-27 |via=www.youtube.com}}
Cover versions
On June 9th 2023 the German worship band Urban Life Worship released their cover the song in the German language on YouTube.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIkuEkmGg-U |title=Heilig für Immer - (Holy Forever) - Urban Life Worship |date=2023-06-29 |last=Urban Life Worship |access-date=2025-06-25 |via=YouTube}}
On October 6, 2023, a cover of "Holy Forever" by American singer CeCe Winans was released on YouTube.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-02 |title=CeCe Winans Covers Chris Tomlin's "Holy Forever" (Watch the Video Here) |url=https://www.jubileecast.com/articles/30053/20231008/cece-winans-covers-chris-tomlins-holy-forever-watch-the-video-here.htm |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=www.jubileecast.com |language=en}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xcFM9CBiOE |title=CeCe Winans - Holy Forever (Official Music Video) |language=en |access-date=2024-03-27 |via=www.youtube.com}}
On October 18, 2023, a modern choral version of the song, arranged by Jay Rouse, was released on YouTube.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVCgKxAYEHI |title=Holy Forever, arranged by Jay Rouse |language=en |access-date=2024-09-08 |via=www.youtube.com}}
On September 6th, 2024 a modern cover of the song in the Hebrew Language, by Emanuel Roro, was Released on YouTube. {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4B4ELzghU0 |title=Holy Forever in Hebrew {{!}} Kadosh Lanetzach - Emanuel Roro (Official Music Video) |date=2024-09-06 |last=Emanuel Roro |access-date=2025-06-25 |via=YouTube}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| collapsed =
| headline = "Holy Forever"{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/holy-forever-mw0003785886 |title= Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |website= AllMusic |publisher= All Media Network |access-date= December 12, 2022}}
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 17:58
| title1 = Holy Forever
| note1 =
| writer1 = {{hlist| Jason Ingram | Brian Johnson | Jenn Johnson | Chris Tomlin | Phil Wickham}}
| extra1 = Jonathan Smith
| length1 = 5:08
| title2 = Always
| note2 =
| writer2 = {{hlist| Daniel Carson | Jess Cates | Ben Glover | Jeff Sojka | Tomlin}}
| extra2 = {{hlist| Ben Glover | Jeff Sojka}}
| length2 = 4:07
| title3 = Yahweh (No One)
| note3 = with Elevation Worship
| writer3 = {{hlist| Chris Brown | Steven Furtick | Ingram | Tomlin}}
| extra3 = {{hlist| Ben Glover | Jeff Sojka}}
| length3 = 4:50
| title4 = I See You
| note4 = with Brandon Lake
| writer4 = {{hlist| Bryan Fowler | Jonas Myrin | Tomlin}}
| extra4 = Bryan Fowler
| length4 = 3:50
}}
Personnel
Adapted from AllMusic.{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/holy-forever-mw0003785886/credits |title= Holy Forever - Chris Tomlin {{!}} Credits {{!}} AllMusic |website= AllMusic |access-date= December 12, 2022}}
{{div col}}
- Jacob Arnold — drums, percussion
- Adam Ayan — mastering engineer
- Jonsal Barrientes — choir/chorus
- Dallan Beck — editing
- Jesse Brock — mixing assistant
- Chris Brown — background vocals, choir/chorus
- Shantay Brown — choir/chorus
- Daniel Carson — acoustic guitar, choir/chorus, electric guitar
- Tamera Chipp — choir/chorus
- Chad Chrisman — A&R
- Courtlan Clement — electric guitar
- Nickie Conley — background vocals
- Elevation Worship — primary artist
- Enaka Enyong — choir/chorus
- Jason Eskridge — background vocals
- Bryan Fowler — acoustic guitar, background vocals, bass, electric guitar, keyboards, producer, programmer, synthesizer programming
- Sam Gibson — mixing
- Ben Glover — acoustic guitar, background vocals, choir/chorus, electric guitar, engineer, keyboards, producer, programming
- Lindsay Glover — choir/chorus
- Tarik Henry — choir/chorus
- Mark Hill — bass
- Tiffany Hudson — choir/chorus
- Tommy Iceland — choir/chorus
- Jenn Johnson — background vocals
- Taylor Johnson — acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Graham King — engineer
- Benji Kurokose — choir/chorus
- Brandon Lake — primary artist, vocals
- Paul Mabury — drums
- Jerry McPherson — electric guitar
- Matthew Melton — bass
- Buckley Miller — recording
- Sean Moffitt — mixing
- Gordon Mote — piano
- Brad O'Donnell — A&R
- Colton Price — editing, programming
- David Ramirez — programming
- Sophie Shear — choir/chorus
- Jonathan Smith — background vocals, Hammond B3, organ, piano, producer, programming
- Jeff Sojka — background vocals, choir/chorus, drums, electric guitar, engineer, keyboards, producer, programming
- Isaiah Templeton — choir/chorus
- Chris Tomlin — choir/chorus, primary artist, vocals
- Bria Valderama — choir/chorus
- Doug Weier — mixing
- Jordan Welch — choir/chorus
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Holy Forever" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2022-2023)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Billboardchristiansongs|1|artist=Chris Tomlin|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 3, 2023|refname=Hot Christian Songs}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardchristianairplay|1|artist=Chris Tomlin|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 4, 2023|refname=Christian Airplay}} |
| scope="row"|US Christian AC (Billboard){{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/chris-tomlin/chart-history/ica/ |title= Chris Tomlin Chart History (Christian AC Airplay) |website= Billboard |access-date= August 8, 2023}}
| 1 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Holy Forever|artist=Chris Tomlin|type=single|award=Platinum|accessdate=June 11, 2025|relyear=2022|certyear=2025|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Holy Forever" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" | Various
| July 15, 2022 | {{hlist| Digital download | streaming}}{{small|(promotional release)}} | rowspan="2" | {{hlist| Sparrow | Capitol CMG}} | {{center|{{cite web |url= https://open.spotify.com/album/6x77fLgyIqVac6LncFAA22 |title= Holy Forever - Single by Chris Tomlin - Spotify |date= July 15, 2022 |via= Spotify |access-date= December 12, 2022}}}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | United States
| March 10, 2023 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{URL| praisecharts.com/songs/details/79148/holy-forever-sheet-music/chords| Lyrics and sheet music for the song}} on PraiseCharts
{{Chris Tomlin}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holy Forever}}
Category:Songs written by Jason Ingram