Hope in Front of Me (song)

"Hope in Front of Me" is a song co-written and recorded by American singer Danny Gokey for his second studio album of the same name (2014). Gokey wrote the song with Brett James and its producer, Bernie Herms. It was released to Christian radio on January 24, 2014 and to digital retailers February 18, 2014 through BMG Rights Management as the record's lead single. "Hope in Front of Me" serves as Gokey's debut release on the BMG label and his first single in almost three years.

"Hope in Front of Me"
Single by Danny Gokey
from the album Hope in Front of Me
ReleasedJanuary 24, 2014 (2014-01-24)
Recorded2013–14 in Nashville, TN
Genre
Length3:40
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Bernie Herms
Danny Gokey singles chronology
"Second Hand Heart"
(2011)		 "Hope in Front of Me"
(2014)		 "More Than You Think I Am"
(2015)
Music video
"Hope in Front of Me" on YouTube

Written as a message of hope in dark times, "Hope in Front of Me" features a more soulful sound than Gokey's previous releases and is his first to be marketed in the Christian genre.[1] The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Christian Songs chart and number 27 on Adult Contemporary, marking his first entry on these charts.

Background and recording

In 2009, Gokey rose to fame as the second runner-up on the eighth season of American reality singing competition American Idol.[2] The following year, he released the country album, My Best Days, which reached the top 5 of the Billboard 200 and produced two top 40 singles on the Hot Country Songs chart.[3] Gokey then announced in November 2011 that he had parted ways with his record label, RCA Records Nashville.[4]

He signed a record/publishing deal with BMG Rights Management in May 2013 with the intention to shift his career toward a Christian crossover career.[2][5] "I love country music and I still listen," Gokey told The Hollywood Reporter. "But I always felt my message of faith was important. Not much has changed, just my sound."[3] He recorded new music in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Bernie Herms and released "Hope in Front of Me" to Christian radio on January 24, 2014.[1]

Composition

"Hope in Front of Me" is a Christian pop song with influences of blue-eyed soul, written by Danny Gokey, Bernie Herms, and Brett James. It was inspired by Gokey's journey dealing with the death of his first wife in 2008 and is about "finding purpose in your darkest moments."[6] The song's chorus speaks to finding hope despite tragedy, with lines such as "There's better days still up ahead / Even after all I've seen, there's hope in front of me."[6]

According to the sheet music published by BMG Rights Management, the song was originally composed in the key of C Minor and set in common time to a "moderate rock" beat of 76 BPM.[7] The song follows a chord progression of Cm – A♭sus2 – E♭ – Gm7 and covers a vocal range of two octaves, from the note of C3 through C5.[7]

Accolades

"Hope in Front of Me" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards, however it lost to "How Can It Be" by Lauren Daigle.[8][9] The song's success also contributed to Gokey being nominated in the category of New Artist of the Year at the same ceremony.[10]

Chart performance

"Hope in Front of Me" debuted on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart dated March 8, 2014 and entered the top 20 in its seventh week on the chart dated May 24, 2014.[11][12] The song reached a peak position of four on the chart dated August 16, 2014.[13]

The song also experienced moderate pop crossover success. "Hope in Front of Me" debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart dated July 26, 2014.[14] It reached a peak position of 27 on the chart dated August 16, 2014 and spent a total of six weeks on the chart.[15]

Music video

An accompanying music video for the song was uploaded to Gokey's official YouTube channel on July 16, 2014 and "tells a story of redemption."[16][17]

Charts

Release history
Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States January 24, 2014 Christian radio BMG [1]
Worldwide February 18, 2014 Digital download [23]

References
  1. Angermiller, Michele Amabile (January 24, 2014). "Danny Gokey on Making Hope 'Cool' and Possibly Returning to 'American Idol' (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  2. Watts, Cindy (July 10, 2014). "Danny Gokey sees hope in front of him". The Tennessean. Gannett Company. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  3. Bronson, Fred (July 4, 2014). "'American Idol' on the Charts: New Album 'Hope' Brings Danny Gokey First Billboard No. 1". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  4. Thompson, Gayle (November 21, 2011). "Danny Gokey Parts Ways With RCA Records". The Boot. Townsquare Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  5. "BMG Records Signs Danny Gokey". All Access Media Group. May 17, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  6. Sarachik, Justin (July 1, 2014). "Danny Gokey Explains Meaning Behind 'Hope in Front of Me', Song is About 'Finding Purpose in Your Darkest Moments' (VIDEO)". Breathe Cast. Christian Media Corporation. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  7. "Danny Gokey "Hope in Front of Me" Sheet Music in C Minor". Musicnotes.com. BMG Rights Management. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  8. GMA Dove Award. "Nominees". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  9. GMA Dove Award. "Winners". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  10. Wortman, Jules (August 12, 2015). "The 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards' Nominees Announced Today in Nashville". GMA Dove Awards. Nashville, Tennessee: Gospel Music Association. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  11. "Hot Christian Songs : Mar 08, 2014" (subscription required). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  12. "Hot Christian Songs: The Week Of May 24, 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  13. "Hot Christian Songs: The Week Of August 16, 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  14. Trust, Gary (July 14, 2014). "Chart Highlights: Nico & Vinz Victorious On Pop Songs With 'Am I Wrong'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  15. ""Hope in Front of Me" on Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  16. Danny Gokey (July 16, 2014). "Danny Gokey - Hope In Front of Me" (video). YouTube. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  17. Vale, Elizabeth (September 8, 2015). "Danny Gokey's music video for "Hope in Front of Me" tells a story of redemption". Rare.us. Cox Media Group. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  18. "Danny Gokey Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  19. "Danny Gokey Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  20. "2014 Year End: Hot Christian Songs Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  21. "2014 Year End: Christian Airplay Songs Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  22. "2014 Year End: Christian AC Songs Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  23. "Danny Gokey: Hope in Front of Me". Google Play Music. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
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