You Say

Album: Look Up Child (2018)
Charted: 29
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "You Say" finds Lauren Daigle capturing the power of faith as she sings about being accepted by God.

    You say I am helped when I am falling short
    And when I don't belong, Lord you say I am yours
    And I believe, yes I believe what you say of me


    The ballad was co-penned by Daigle with songwriters Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury, whose other credits together include Cory Asbury's "Reckless Love." Daigle told Billboard how it became a song of identity for her, during a difficult time.

    "'You Say' was written at a time when I felt like things were getting away from me and, honestly, I was feeling overwhelmed," she said. "This song became my anchor and my rock and it gave me truth. I hope it does the same for anyone that hears it."
  • The ballad was released as the lead single from Daigle's second studio album, Look Up Child. There was huge anticipation for its release, following her Gold Record-earning debut set and the song debuted at #33 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. This was the best bow for a non-holiday song by a solo female artist in over eight years, since Francesca Battistelli's "Beautiful, Beautiful" started at #21 in March 2010.
  • This ballad is one of the rare ones to become a hit on both Christian and adult pop radio. It was only the second song to hit the Top 10 on both Christian Airplay, and Adult Pop Songs. The other one? That was The Fray's "How To Save A Life," which reached the upper tier of both tallies in 2006-07.

    When "You Say" topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart, it became the first ever song to reach #1 on both the Christian and Adult Contemporary airplay tallies.
  • This won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Look Up Child also won for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
  • The song broke the record for the most weeks spent atop Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart when it logged 62th week at #1 on the survey dated October 5, 2019. It overtook the 61-frame reign of Hillsong United's "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)." "You Say" eventually spent a monumental 132 weeks at the summit.
  • This won Song of the Year at the 2019 Dove Awards. Lauren Daigle also walked away from the ceremony with the gongs for Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.
  • Lauren Daigle released a Spanish-language version of the song called "Tu Dices" on May 15, 2020. She recorded it along with "Rescate" - the Spanish version of her single "Rescue" - for her Latin American fans that have always supported her.

    "I took Spanish when I was in high school and I fell in love with it. It's so beautiful, melodic and feels safe," she noted to Billboard. "The message sticks close to the heart and has a greater impact if it's in a person's native language. That's what I wanted to do for this song."

Comments: 1

  • Marie from Detroit Every time I hear “You Say”, I hear the Mike Curb Congregation song “Burning Bridges” from the movie “Kelly’s Heroes”. It’s the percussions. Does anyone else hear the similarities? Takes me back 50 years!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.