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With Arms Wide Open

{{Short description|2000 single by Creed}}

{{About|the song by Creed|the compilation album|With Arms Wide Open: A Retrospective}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Infobox song

| name = With Arms Wide Open

| cover = witharmswideopen.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Creed

| album = Human Clay

| B-side =

  • "Wash Away Those Years"
  • "One"

| written = Early 1998

| released = {{start date|2000|4|18}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Post-grunge{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/list/best-post-grunge-songs/|title=50 Best Post-Grunge Songs|last=Graves|first=Wren|website=Consequence|date=May 20, 2024|access-date=April 1, 2025}}

| length =

  • 4:36 (album version)
  • 3:53 (radio version)

| label =

| writer =

| producer =

  • Ron Saint Germain
  • John Kurzweg

| prev_title = What If

| prev_year = 2000

| next_title = Are You Ready?

| next_year = 2000

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|99j0zLuNhi8|"With Arms Wide Open"}} }}

}}

"With Arms Wide Open" is a song by American rock band Creed. The power ballad was released on April 18, 2000, as the third single from their second studio album, Human Clay. The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 2000, becoming the band's first and only song to top the chart. The song also received honors at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001, being nominated for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, as well as Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

Writing and recording

Scott Stapp began writing the lyrics to "With Arms Wide Open" in early 1998 while touring to support Creed's debut album My Own Prison when he found out that his then-wife Hillaree Burns was pregnant with his first child, Jagger. According to Stapp the song was written in just fifteen minutes during a soundcheck. Stapp overheard guitarist Mark Tremonti playing an improvised melody and loved what he heard so much that he ran in and told Tremonti to just keep playing as Stapp began singing his lyrics.{{cite web|url=http://www.alternativenation.net/creed-reveal-higher-written-grunge-play-role/|title=Creed Reveal How "Higher" Was Written, Did Grunge Play Role?|last=Buchanan|first=Brett|date=April 18, 2019|website=www.alternativenation.net|publisher=AlternativeNation|access-date=March 13, 2021}}

Music and lyrics

Stapp wrote the lyrics when he found out, with great surprise, that he was going to be a father. The original lyrics to the song were written from the perspective of having a daughter, even though his wife was pregnant with a boy, as Stapp used "she" during early live performances. This would eventually be changed when Stapp found out he would be having a son. In later years Stapp would not use "he" or "she" in reference to the child but rather "they" to refer to both his sons and daughter. In a 2013 interview with Songfacts, Stapp said of the song:

{{Blockquote|"It continues to have relevant meaning in my life because as I sing it now, I think of my daughter who's now on this planet and alive. And then I think of my newest son, my three-year-old, Daniel. And then I think back to the spirit and the somewhat naiveté, just that brutal honesty that that song expressed as me being a young man and approaching fatherhood for the first time. Now I'm a full-fledged father with a 14-year-old, a daughter who's going to be 7 in June and my youngest, who's 3. So those are still my feelings. And as a human being and as a father, my feelings haven't changed one bit from those that are expressed in that song. Every time I sing it, I can connect with it again and again and again because I'm no longer expressing fears in my thoughts about being a father; I'm a full-fledged living-it-every-day father. So it just rings true to me." — Stapp{{cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/scott-stapp|title=Scott Stapp|last=MacIntosh|first=Dan|date=November 6, 2013|website=www.songfacts.net|publisher=Songfacts|access-date=March 21, 2021}}}}

Musically the song is a power ballad written in the key of C major, with Tremonti playing in drop D tuning and Stapp singing in his signature baritone singing voice.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0066060#ProductDetails|title=With Arms Wide Open|website=www.musicnotes.com|access-date=November 11, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://inwhatkey.com/song/with-arms-wide-open-by-creed|title=With Arms Wide Open|website=inwhatkey.com|access-date=November 19, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/scott-stapp-with-arms-wide-open-mimicry-made-me-better-singer/|title=Scott Stapp: 'With Arms Wide Open' Mimicry Made Me A Better Singer|last=Childers|first=Chad|date=November 25, 2020|website=loudwire.com|access-date=November 11, 2021}} According to Stapp, following the massive crossover success of the single which he felt led to the song being heavily overplayed, so much so that even his then-wife Hillaree Burns would turn away from it, and upon hearing impersonations of other people mimicking his vocal delivery in a dramatic, over-the-top fashion he purposely began to alter his vocal style which he feels has helped him grow as a vocalist. He states "I don't know where I picked up all the idiosyncrasies of how I enunciate and I've been called out on my vowels ... But it's actually helped me as a singer because I've heard that and I've intentionally enunciated differently on different words and syllables, so thank you world for pointing out a consistent pattern early in my 20s so I could evolve and grow as a singer. You made me better. Thank you."

Three main versions of the song exist. One is the original album version. The second is the radio version, which adds additional hi-hat and drums, and also edits out the ending. The third is the video version (or "Strings Remix") which adds strings to the radio version.

Release and reception

"With Arms Wide Open" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for four weeks in July 2000 and is Creed's only track to appear on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, where it peaked at number 29 in March 2001. In October, the song entered the top 10 of Billboard{{'}}s Adult Top 40 chart and later topped the listing for eight weeks. It also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated November 11, 2000, for one week, becoming their first and only number one on the chart. The music video topped VH1's Top 10 Countdown in 2000. On May 10, 2019, nearly 20 years after the release of Human Clay, the single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 digital units. On November 30, 2020, the certification was upgraded to double platinum for sales and streams of over two million units.

The title became the name of a foundation set up by Stapp to help children and families. To launch the With Arms Wide Open Foundation, the band released a limited edition "enhanced-package single" in September 2000, with proceeds going to the charity to "promote healthy, loving relationships between children and their families". The single contained an orchestrated version, a rock version, an acoustic reading, and the music video. In February 2001, Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti were nominated for and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song as the writers of "With Arms Wide Open" at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/43rd-annual-grammy-awards-2000|title=2000 Grammy Winners|publisher=Grammy Awards|access-date=October 16, 2021}} The song was also nominated for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal but lost to U2 for "Beautiful Day".{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/212|title=Grammy Awards Winners & Nominees for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|publisher=Grammy Awards|access-date=October 16, 2021}} The music video for "With Arms Wide Open" was voted the 92nd best music video of all time by VH1, who also ranked it number four on its "25 Greatest Power Ballads" list.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRR8AmPfbB0|title=Creed: "With Arms Wide Open" (25 Greatest Power Ballads)|publisher=YouTube|access-date=February 22, 2012}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl described "With Arms Wide Open" as "one of the most amazing songs of all time".{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/foo-fighters-dave-grohl-creed-with-arms-wide-open-amazing-song-all-time/|title=Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl: Creed's 'With Arms Wide Open' One of 'Most Amazing Songs of All Time'|last=Trapp|first=Philip|date=January 21, 2020|website=www.loudwire.com|publisher=Vanity|access-date=March 13, 2021}}

Appearances in media

Creed performed the song live on the June 16, 2000, episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and on November 30, 2000, at the first annual My VH1 Music Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3212584/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_1|title=The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Episode #8.209|website=www.imdb.com|publisher=IMBb|access-date=November 10, 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.alamy.com/scott-stapp-lead-signer-of-the-group-creed-performs-with-arms-wide-open-at-the-first-my-vh1-awards-november-30-2000-in-los-angeles-vh1-viewers-voted-for-their-favorite-singers-and-groups-via-the-internet-during-the-awards-show-which-was-telecast-live-on-the-vh1-cable-network-creed-won-two-awards-song-of-the-year-for-higher-and-the-welcome-to-the-big-time-award-image380946145.html|title=Scott Stapp, lead signer of the group "Creed," performs "With Arms Wide Open" at the first My VH1 Awards November 30, 2000 in Los Angeles. VH1 viewers voted for their favorite singers and groups via the Internet during the awards show which was telecast live on the VH1 cable network. "Creed" won two awards, Song of the Year for "Higher," and the Welcome to the Big Time award.|website=www.alamy.com|access-date=November 9, 2021}} The song was made available as downloadable content for the video games Rocksmith 2014 on September 16, 2014,{{cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/295005/Rocksmith_2014__Creed_Song_Pack/|title=Rocksmith® 2014 – Creed Song Pack|website=store.steampowered.com|access-date=November 3, 2021}} and Rock Band 4 on May 21, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://gamingaudionews.com/2020/05/19/rock-band-4-dlc-21st-may-bush-creed/|title=Rock Band 4 DLC (21st May) – Bush, Creed|date=May 19, 2020|website=gamingaudionews.com|access-date=November 11, 2021}} A cinematic cover version of the song, performed by Nicole Serrano and Tommee Profitt, was used in a February 2022 ad campaign to promote the 94th Academy Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.thechristianbeat.org/abc-oscars-campaign-features-arms-wide-open-shining-spotlight-on-nicole-serrano/|title=ABC OSCARS Campaign Features "Arms Wide Open" Shining Spotlight On Nicole Serrano|last=Longs|first=Herb|date=February 17, 2022|website=www.thechristianbeat.org|access-date=April 26, 2022}}

Track listings

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

US limited-edition minimax CD single (60150-18004-2){{cite AV media notes|title=With Arms Wide Open|others=Creed|year=2000|type=US limited-edition minimax CD single liner notes|publisher=Wind-up Records|id=60150-18004-2}}

  1. "With Arms Wide Open" (strings version)
  2. "With Arms Wide Open" (acoustic version)
  3. "With Arms Wide Open" (rock version)
  4. "With Arms Wide Open" (video)

UK CD single (670695 2){{cite AV media notes|title=With Arms Wide Open|others=Creed|year=2000|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Wind-up Records, Epic Records|id=670695 2}}

  1. "With Arms Wide Open" (new version) – 3:42
  2. "With Arms Wide Open" (strings version) – 3:55
  3. "With Arms Wide Open" (acoustic version) – 3:55
  4. "With Arms Wide Open" (album version) – 4:26
  5. "With Arms Wide Open" (video—strings version)

UK limited-edition 7-inch single (670695 7){{cite AV media notes|title=With Arms Wide Open|others=Creed|year=2000|type=UK limited 7-inch single sleeve|publisher=Wind-up Records, Epic Records|id=670695 7}}

:A. "With Arms Wide Open" (new version) – 3:42

:B. "With Arms Wide Open" (acoustic version) – 3:55

{{col-2}}

European CD single (WIN 669643 1){{cite AV media notes|title=With Arms Wide Open|others=Creed|year=2000|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Wind-up Records, Epic Records|id=670695 2}}

  1. "With Arms Wide Open" (new version) – 3:42
  2. "With Arms Wide Open" (strings version) – 3:55

Australian and New Zealand enhanced CD single (670739 2){{cite AV media notes|title=With Arms Wide Open|others=Creed|year=2000|type=Australian and New Zealand enhanced CD single liner notes|publisher=Wind-up Records|id=670739 2}}

  1. "With Arms Wide Open" (new version) – 3:42
  2. "Wash Away Those Years" – 6:04
  3. "One" – 5:02
  4. "With Arms Wide Open" (strings version) – 3:55
  5. "With Arms Wide Open" (video)

{{col-end}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2000–2001)

!Peak
position

scope="row" {{single chart|Australia|4|artist=Creed|song=With Arms Wide Open|refname="aus"}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Austria|15|artist=Creed|song=With Arms Wide Open}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|2|chartid=7292|access-date=November 30, 2018}}{{Efn|"With Arms Wide Open" reached number 2 when RPM ceased publication in November 2000.}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|33|chartid=7262|access-date=November 30, 2018}}{{Efn|"With Arms Wide Open" reached number 33 when RPM ceased publication in November 2000.}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Canadarock|1|chartid=9941|access-date=November 30, 2018}}
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-01-27.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=18|issue=5|page=34|date=January 27, 2001|access-date=June 22, 2020}}

| 47

scope="row" {{single chart|Germany|42|artist=Creed|song=With Arms Wide Open|songid=4581|access-date=November 30, 2018}}
scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/3009991#page/n9/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (22.12–29.12 2000)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=10|date=December 22, 2000|access-date=October 7, 2019}}

| 2

scope="row" {{single chart|Ireland3|40|artist=Creed|access-date=January 25, 2020}}
scope="row"|Latvia (Latvijas Top 40){{cite web |url=http://www.lanet.lv/news/airplay/2001/2001.html|title=Latvian Airplay Top 500 of 2001|publisher=Lanet.lv|language=lv|access-date=December 1, 2022}}

|8

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade){{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/2000/week-50|title=Tipparade-lijst van week 50, 2000| publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=March 12, 2023}}

|12

scope="row" {{single chart|Dutch100|75|artist=Creed|song=With Arms Wide Open}}
scope="row" {{single chart|New Zealand|10|artist=Creed|song=With Arms Wide Open}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Norway|6|artist=Creed|song=With Arms Wide Open}}
scope="row"|Portugal (AFP){{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-10-28.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=17|issue=44|page=17|date=October 28, 2000|access-date=March 1, 2020}}

| 10

scope="row" {{single chart|Scotland|17|date=20010120|access-date=November 30, 2018}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Switzerland|70|artist=Creed|song=With Arms Wide Open}}
scope="row" {{single chart|UK|13|date=20010120|access-date=November 30, 2018}}
scope="row" {{single chart|UKrock|1|date=20010120|access-date=November 30, 2018}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Creed|access-date=February 22, 2019}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|6|artist=Creed|access-date=March 16, 2019}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|29|artist=Creed|access-date=February 22, 2019}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|1|artist=Creed|access-date=February 22, 2019}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|2|artist=Creed|access-date=February 22, 2019}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|1|artist=Creed|access-date=February 22, 2019}}
scope="row" {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|1|artist=Creed|access-date=February 22, 2019}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2000)

!Position

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2000-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 2000|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=September 19, 2019}}

|37

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/2000-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 2000|website=Billboardtop100of.com|access-date=August 16, 2020}}

|36

scope="row"|US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/Billboard-Airplay/2000/BBAM-2000-12-22.pdf|title=Most Played Mainstream Rock Songs of 2000|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=8|issue=51|page=33|date=December 22, 2000|access-date=August 20, 2021}}

|5

scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/Billboard-Airplay/2000/BBAM-2000-12-22.pdf|title=Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=8|issue=51|page=54|date=December 22, 2000|access-date=August 20, 2021}}

|36

scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/Billboard-Airplay/2000/BBAM-2000-12-22.pdf|title=Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 2000|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=8|issue=51|page=38|date=December 22, 2000|access-date=August 20, 2021}}

|10

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2001)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2001/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2000|publisher=ARIA|access-date=September 19, 2019}}

|20

scope="row"|Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS){{cite web|url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_2001.html|title=BDS CHART : Top 100 of 2001|publisher=Jam!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020701174353/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_2001.html|archive-date=July 1, 2002|access-date=March 26, 2022}}

|48

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/2001-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 2001|website=Billboardtop100of.com|access-date=August 16, 2020}}

|39

scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/Billboard-Airplay/2001/BBAM-2001-12-21.pdf|title=Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2001|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=9|issue=51|page=54|date=December 21, 2001|access-date=August 20, 2021}}

|10

scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/Billboard-Airplay/2001/BBAM-2001-12-21.pdf|title=Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=9|issue=51|page=60|date=December 21, 2001|access-date=August 20, 2021}}

|34

=Decade-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2000–2009)

!Position

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2009/BB-2009-12-19.pdf|title=The Decade in Music – Hot 100 Songs|magazine=Billboard|volume=121|issue=50|page=158|date=December 19, 2009|access-date=August 16, 2020}}

|46

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2000|certyear=2001|access-date=September 19, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Creed|title=With Arms Wide Open|award=Gold|relyear=2000|certyear=2024|access-date=February 1, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Creed|title=With Arms Wide Open|type=single|award=Platinum|source=radioscope|relyear=2001|certyear=2023|access-date=January 10, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Creed|title=With Arms Wide Open|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2000|certyear=2021|access-date=November 30, 2021|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan="3"|United States

|{{start date|2000|4|18}}

|{{hlist|Mainstream rock|active rock radio}}

|rowspan="3"|Wind-up

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2000/RR-2000-04-14.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1346|pages=90, 94|date=April 14, 2000|access-date=April 19, 2021}}

{{start date|2000|4|24}}

|Minimax CD

|

{{start date|2000|8|28}}

|Hot adult contemporary radio

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2000/RR-2000-08-25.pdf|title=Hot AC: Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1365|page=94|date=August 25, 2000|access-date=May 29, 2021}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|{{start date|2001|1|8}}

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|CD}}

|{{hlist|Wind-up|Epic}}

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-12-23.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=32|date=December 23, 2000|access-date=August 9, 2021}}

scope="row"|Australia

|{{start date|2001|4|9}}

|CD

|Wind-up

|{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue580.PDF|title=The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 9th April 2001|publisher=ARIA|page=23|date=April 9, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue580.PDF|archive-date=February 20, 2002|access-date=April 19, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://musicjesus.com/index.php?song=14771 Music video] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020181234/http://musicjesus.com/index.php?song=14771 |date=October 20, 2016 }}
  • [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=443 Song meaning]

{{Creed}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Rock Song}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1990s ballads

Category:1998 songs

Category:2000 singles

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Creed (band) songs

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Grammy Award for Best Rock Song

Category:Music videos directed by Dave Meyers (director)

Category:Rock ballads

Category:Songs about parenthood

Category:Songs about pregnancy

Category:Songs written by Mark Tremonti

Category:Songs written by Scott Stapp

Category:Wind-up Records singles