Truth Be Told

Album: Brand New (2020)
Charted: 119
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Songfacts®:

  • Matthew West wrote this song as a reminder to himself that he is a fallen human being and nobody expects him to be perfect. Instead, he needs to be authentic with other people and honest with God, who knows his heart anyway.
  • I don't know why it's so hard to admit it
    When being honest is the only way to fix it
    There's no failure, no fall
    There's no sin You don't already know
    So let the truth be told


    West explained to Apple Music that the song's message is that rather than putting on a performance for others, he needs to be true to himself. "At what age did I start to realize how to put a face on for people and make sure they all think I've got it together? And how dangerous is that in life, and how long have I done that as a preacher's kid and now a professional Christian singer? What's the most authentic version of me, and how can I start working on that more?"
  • West wrote the song with the young writer-producer AJ Pruis, who contributed to many of the Brand New tracks. The singer explained how the rising producer helped him keep up with current trends in pop music. "Everybody talks about Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas; AJ was definitely my Finneas on this album," said West. "There's nothing like working with a 24-year-old on your music. You start feeling brand new again, too."
  • "Truth Be Told" became West's 10th #1 on Billboard's Christian Airplay tally. It also reached the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, West's second single to do after "The Motions."
  • Matthew West released a duet version with Carly Pearce. The country star said she'd been praying about her desire to share more of her heart, and "Truth Be Told" hits the sweet spot. "This lyric has been the anthem of my life over the last year," Pearce said. "Being transparent and vulnerable is how we connect with others."

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