Ever Be

"Ever Be"
Song by Bethel Music and Kalley Heiligenthal
from the album We Will Not Be Shaken (Live)
ReleasedJanuary 26, 2015 (2015-01-26)
Recorded2014
Genre
Length5:22
LabelBethel Music
Songwriter(s)
  • Bobby Strand
  • Chris Greely
  • Gabriel Wilson
  • Kalley Heiligenthal
Producer(s)
  • Bobby Strand
  • Chris Greely
  • Matthew Wilcox
Music videos
"Ever Be" (Live) on YouTube
"Ever Be" (Lyrics) on YouTube

"Ever Be" is a song by Bethel Music and Kalley Heiligenthal. The song was released as the second track on Bethel Music's seventh live album, We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) (2015), on January 26, 2015.[1] The song was written by Bobby Strand, Chris Greely, Gabriel Wilson, and Kalley Heiligenthal.[2]

"Ever Be" peaked at number 22 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.[3] It has been certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4][5] "Ever Be" was nominated for the GMA Dove Award Worship Song of the Year at the 2017 GMA Dove Awards.[6]

"Ever Be" has been covered by several notable artists such as Natalie Grant, Aaron Shust, Shane & Shane, and Anthony Evans. Aaron Shust's version is the most commercially successful cover, having peaked at number eleven on the Hot Christian Songs chart.

Background

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Kalley Heiligenthal shared the story behind the song,[7] saying:

The chorus of this song came first. I was in a prayer room setting for a two hour time frame, and after about an hour and a half we ran out of songs. I thought in that moment about finding a hook that was repeatable, and that's where the chorus came from. The bridge came with relative ease. The verses are where you'll find a lot of personal diving into my heart to set the stage for the rest of the song. The beautiful aspect of this song is that I was being coached on how to write the verses based on the question why to the statement "Your praise will ever be on my lips." For me, it was a beautiful process of learning what the answers were.

Composition

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"Ever Be" is composed in the key of D with a tempo of 69 beats per minute, and a musical time signature of 4
4.[8]

Reception

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Critical response

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Timothy Yap of JubileeCast described the song as "a turbo-charged power ballad that leaves one breathless with all the high octave soaring notes."[9] In a ChurchMag review, Michael Ernest listed "Ever Be" as one of his album favourites from We Will Not Be Shaken (2015), saying Kalley Heiligenthal's voice is "daring, yet soulful."[10]

Accolades

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Awards
Year Organization Award Result Ref
2017 GMA Dove Awards Worship Song of the Year Nominated [11]
Year-end lists
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Worship Leader Top 20 Worship Songs of 2015 18
[12]

Commercial performance

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Following the release of the We Will Not Be Shaken, "Ever Be" debuted at number 22 on the US Hot Christian Songs dated February 14, 2022.[13] The song spent a total of twenty weeks on the chart.[14]

Music videos

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The live music video of the song was released by Bethel Music on January 26, 2015,[15] having been recorded at Shasta Lake and is part of the concert film We Will Not Be Shaken directed by Nathan Grubbs and Luke Manwaring.[16]

The official lyric video of the song was released on January 26, 2015, also on Bethel Music's YouTube channel.[17]

Charts

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Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Christian Songs (Billboard)[3] 22

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[4] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Aaron Shust version

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"Ever Be"
EP cover
Single by Aaron Shust
from the album Love Made a Way
ReleasedFebruary 5, 2016 (2016-02-05)
Recorded2015
GenreContemporary worship music
Length3:50
LabelCentricity Music
Producer(s)Ed Cash
Aaron Shust singles chronology
"Unto Us"
(2014) 		"Ever Be"
(2016) 		"You Redeemm"
(2017)
Music videos
"Ever Be" (Live) on YouTube
"Ever Be" (Lyrics) on YouTube

Aaron Shust released a multi-track EP titled Ever Be on January 29, 2016 in digital format.[18]

Background

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On January 27, 2016, Aaron Shust announced that he will be releasing a new EP titled Ever Be on January 29, 2016, while also publishing a devotional.[19] Prior to that, Shust had announced on December 2, 2015, that his version of "Ever Be" will impact Christian radio on February 5, 2016.[20] The Ever Be EP has three songs: two songs which are produced by Ed Cash (the title track and "Fear Not"), and one song produced by Christian Paschall ("God Evermore"); "God Evermore" being the only song co-written by Shust.[21] Shust spoke about his version of the song,[22] saying:

It's my privilege to help carry the message found in the song "Ever Be." The song's message is that God loves us with an enduring promise to never leave nor forsake. He pledges that devotion with such commitment; like that of the most loyal groom toward his bride.

Critical reception

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Jonathan Andre of 365 Days of Inspiring Media praised Shust's rendition of the song, saying "Aaron's imaging of this fan favourite has been nothing less than powerful and poignant."[23]

Commercial performance

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Aaron Shust's version of "Ever Be" debuted at number 36 on the US Hot Christian Songs dated February 14, 2022.[24] The song peaked at number eleven and spent a total of thirty weeks on the chart.[25]

Music videos

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The official lyric video of the song was released on January 26, 2015, also on Aaron Shust's YouTube channel.[26]

The live music video of the song, recorded in Nashville, was released by Aaron Shust via YouTube on April 7, 2017.[27]

Track listing

[edit]
Ever Be — EP[28]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer[29]Length
1."Ever Be"
  • Chris Greely
  • Kalley Heiligenthal
  • Bobby Strand
  • Gabriel Wilson
Ed Cash3:50
2."Fear Not"
  • Hank Bentley
  • Bryan Fowler
Ed Cash3:18
3."God Evermore"
Christian Paschall5:06
Total length:12:15

Charts

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Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various January 29, 2016
(EP) 		Centricity Music [36]
United States February 5, 2016 Christian radio [20]

Other versions

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  • Bethel Music released an instrumental remix of the song on their instrumental album, Without Words: Synesthesia (2015).[37]
  • Natalie Grant released her cover of "Ever Be" on her studio album, Be One (2015).[38]
  • Bethel Music Kids released their version of the song on their debut album, Come Alive (2015).[39]
  • Anthony Evans released an R&B-infused rendition of "Ever Be" on his album, Back to Life (2017).[40]
  • Shane & Shane released their cover of the song on their album, The Worship Initiative, Vol. 12 (2017).[41]

References

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  1. ^ "We Will Not Be Shaken by Bethel Music | CD Reviews And Information | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. February 5, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "Ever Be | Chords, Lyrics and Sheet Music | SongSelect®". SongSelect. CCLI. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Bethel Music Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "American single certifications – Bethel Music & Kalley – Ever Be (Live)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  5. ^ Starch, Todd (December 9, 2021). "Bethel Music Artists Receive RIAA Certifications | AllAccess.com". AllAccess.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Longs, Herb (August 9, 2017). "48th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  7. ^ Davis, Kevin (February 10, 2015). "Here As In Heaven by Elevation Worship Christian CD Book Reviews | NRTeam Member MarkRyan_NRT | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  8. ^ "Ever Be by Bethel Music". MultiTracks. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  9. ^ Yap, Timothy (January 4, 2015). "Bethel Music "We Will Not be Shaken" Album Review : Exclusives : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  10. ^ Ernest, Michael (January 24, 2015). "'We Will Not Be Shaken' by Bethel Music - ChurchMag". JubileeCast. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. ^ Grein, Paul (August 9, 2017). "48th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced Today | The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "Top 20 Worship Songs of 2015 | Worship Leader". Worship Leader. December 16, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  13. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Billboard". Billboard. February 10, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "Bethel Music Chart History – Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  15. ^ "Ever Be by Bethel Music & kalley on Apple Music". Apple Music. U.S. (Music video). Apple Inc. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  16. ^ "We Will Not Be Shaken - Nathan Grubbs Creative". Nathan Grubbs Creative. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  17. ^ "Ever Be (Official Lyric Video) - kalley | We Will Not Be Shaken - YouTube". YouTube. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "Louder Than The Music - Aaron Shust - Ever Be". Louder Than The Music. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  19. ^ Yap, Timothy (January 27, 2016). "Aaron Shust Surprises Fans with the Release of New EP "Ever Be" & Writes a Devotional : News : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Bethel Music - You Make Me Brave - Daily Play MPE®Daily Play MPE®". Daily Play MPE®. Destiny Media Technologies Inc. December 2, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  21. ^ "Louder Than The Music - Aaron Shust Releases Three-Song 'Ever Be' EP". Louder Than The Music. February 11, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  22. ^ Andre, Jonathan (February 4, 2016). "Aaron Shust Releases Three Song EP "Ever Be" with Title Track Garnering Early Adds at K-LOVE and Sirius XM | Freeccm.com". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  23. ^ Andre, Jonathan (January 30, 2016). "Aaron Shust – Ever Be | 365 Days of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  24. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Billboard". Billboard. February 16, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  25. ^ "Aaron Shust Chart History – Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "Aaron Shust - Ever Be (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube". YouTube. February 23, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  27. ^ "Aaron Shust - Ever Be (Live) - YouTube". YouTube. April 7, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  28. ^ "Ever Be - Aaron Shust | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  29. ^ "Spotify – Ever Be". Spotify. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  30. ^ "Aaron Shust Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  31. ^ "Aaron Shust Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  32. ^ "Aaron Shust Chart History - Billboard". Billboard. Christian AC Songs Chart. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  33. ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  34. ^ "Christian Airplay Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  35. ^ "Christian AC Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  36. ^ "Ever Be - Single by Aaron Shust on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  37. ^ "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Bethel Music, "Without Words: Synesthesia" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. July 31, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  38. ^ Andre, Jonathan (November 14, 2015). "Natalie Grant – Be One | 365 Days of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  39. ^ Andre, Jonathan (December 31, 2015). "Bethel Music Kids – Come Alive | 365 Days of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  40. ^ Tremaine, Chase (March 15, 2017). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Anthony Evans, "Back to Life" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  41. ^ "New From Shane and Shane - The Worship Initiative, Vol. 12". MultiTracks. April 21, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
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