There Was Jesus
{{short description|2019 song by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton}}
{{Infobox song
| name = There Was Jesus
| cover = ThereWasJesus.png
| type = single
| artist = Zach Williams and Dolly Parton
| border = yes
| album = Rescue Story
| released = October 3, 2019
| recorded = 2019
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:43
| label =
| writer =
- Zach Williams
- Casey Beathard
- Jonathan Smith
| producer = Jonathan Smith
| misc = {{Extra_chronology
| artist = Zach Williams
| type = singles
| prev_title = Rescue Story
| prev_year = 2019
| title = There Was Jesus
| year = 2019
| next_title = Empty Grave
| next_year = 2020
}}{{Extra_chronology
| artist = Dolly Parton
| type = singles
| prev_title = God Only Knows
| prev_year = 2019
| title = There Was Jesus
| year = 2019
| next_title = Faith
| next_year = 2019
}}
}}
"There Was Jesus" is a song written by Christian rock musician Zach Williams, Jonathan Smith, and country music songwriter Casey Beathard. A Williams duet with country legend Dolly Parton, it was released on October 3, 2019, as the second single from his album, Rescue Story.{{cite web |title=There Was Jesus - Single by Zach Williams & Dolly Parton |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/there-was-jesus-single/1481633210 |website=iTunes |publisher=Apple |accessdate=December 27, 2019 |date=October 3, 2019}} It won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 2021 Grammy Awards. "There Was Jesus" received nominations for the GMA Dove Award Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 2021 GMA Dove Awards.
Background
Williams wrote "There Was Jesus" with Casey Beathard and Jonathan Smith, who also produced the song. About the song's inspiration, Williams said the song is about "looking back at 20 years ago when I had no idea that God was in the moment, that He was even with me through some of the hard things that have gone on in my life. Now I can see that He had His hand in everything I was doing." He said he knew the moment they finished writing the song he wanted to see if Parton would consider recording it with him. Williams's team reached out to Parton's manager. When Parton heard the song she loved it. Arrangements were made for the duo to meet in the studio a few weeks later to record it. In a press release Williams recalled, "It was a really cool moment, just to have the privilege to record a song with Dolly Parton. Working with Dolly was a true honor. She has a way of making you feel like you are the only person in the room. She is so down-to-earth and genuine, and I can't wait for people to hear that in the song."{{cite web |title=Dolly Parton Featured On Zach Williams' New Song "There Was Jesus" |url=https://dollyparton.com/life-and-career/zach-williams-there-was-jesus/16677 |website=DollyParton.com |publisher=Dolly Parton |accessdate=December 27, 2019 |date=October 4, 2019}}
Live performances
Williams and Parton performed the song live for the first time at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards on November 13, 2019.{{cite web |last1=Staff |first1=The Boot |title=WATCH: Dolly Parton Sings Faith-Filled Medley With For King & Country, Zach Williams at 2019 CMA Awards |url=https://theboot.com/dolly-parton-for-king-and-country-zach-williams-2019-cma-awards/ |website=The Boot |accessdate=December 27, 2019}}
Accolades
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Awards |
| Year
! Organization ! Award ! Result ! Ref |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="4" | 2021
| Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | {{won}} | {{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9489062/grammy-nominations-2021-full-list |title= 2021 Grammy Nominations: See the Full List {{!}} Billboard |last= Warner |first= Denise |date= November 24, 2020 |website= Billboard |access-date= November 25, 2020}} |
| Billboard Music Awards
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | GMA Dove Awards
| {{Nominated}} | rowspan="2" | {{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9613134/2021-gma-dove-awards-nominations |title= 2021 GMA Dove Award Nominees: Full List {{!}} Billboard |last= Grein |first= Paul |date= August 11, 2021 |website= Billboard |publisher= Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group |access-date= August 13, 2021}} |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
| {{Nominated}} |
Charts
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=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "There Was Jesus" |
| Chart (2019—2020)
! Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardbubbling100|8|artist=Dolly Parton|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 1, 2020}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardchristiansongs|2|artist=Zach Williams|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 14, 2019}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardchristianairplay|1|artist=Zach Williams|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 20, 2020}} |
| scope="row"| US Christian AC (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/zach-williams/chart-history/ica/ |title=Zach Williams Chart History (Christian Adult Contemporary)|work=Billboard |accessdate=December 20, 2020}}
| 1 |
| {{single chart|Billboarddigitalsongs|29|artist=Dolly Parton|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 22, 2020}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Zach Williams & Dolly Parton|title=There Was Jesus|award=Platinum|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|accessdate=July 19, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Zach Williams}}
{{Dolly Parton songs}}