What Are Words

Album: Single Release Only (2011)
Charted: 83
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • American Idol contestant Chris Medina released this single the day after the decision was made not to advance him into the top 24 of the competition. The song is about his fiancée, Juliana, who suffered a brain injury as the result of a car wreck.
  • The song was written by writer/producer Rodney Jerkins. "I always knew who (he) was, but after doing some research, I didn't realize how 'the man' he actually was," said Medina of learning that Jerkins wanted to collaborate. "The words totally embody what my situation is. It's heartfelt, it's real and it was an honor to be asked to put my voice to this wonderful material."
  • Medina's back-story about his fiancée touched Jennifer Lopez, who had to be comforted by her fellow American Idol judges when the decision was made to eliminate him. The two singers are connected as Jerkins also penned Lopez's #1 single, "If You Had My Love."
  • Proceeds of the song's sales were donated to a fund established for Medina's brain-damaged fiancée.
  • The song proved especially popular in Scandinavia, remaining at #1 in Norway for eleven weeks and in Sweden for eight weeks.

Comments: 1

  • Kinley from Thimphu, Bhutana beautiful song indeed...n after learning about the reason for it i have great rspect for Chris...and this song has also made me realize how important my own love is to me.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Daniel Lanois

Daniel LanoisSongwriter Interviews

Daniel Lanois on his album Heavy Sun, and the inside stories of songs he produced for U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

Harold Brown of War

Harold Brown of WarSongwriter Interviews

A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.