Say I Won't

Album: Inhale (exhale) (2020)
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Songfacts®:

  • In January 2020, Gary Miracle had all four of his limbs amputated after falling into septic shock. Miracle (his real last name) is a longtime associate of MercyMe and worked as the band's merchandising representative and bus driver in their early days. The song pays tribute to Gary Miracle's bravery, positive attitude, and faith in the power of Christ as he determines to continue to live life to the fullest.

    I'm gonna run
    No, I'm gonna fly
    I'm gonna know what it means to live
    And not just be alive


    Speaking to Fox News about why MercyMe wanted to get Miracle's story out to the world, Bart Millard explained: "It's incredibly overwhelming to see Gary's situation. But to watch his wife and kids… what they're going through and standing by and supporting him is mind-blowing – it feels like it's a whole other level of love."
  • Bart Millard wrote the song with Jordan Mohilowski, who is the drummer for the CCM band The Afters. Mohilowski also co-produced the track with Tedd T and Brown Bannister.
  • Brody Harper and Ryan Slaughter directed the video, which captures some heartwarming moments of Gary Miracle's long road to recovery. They include him putting on his prosthetic arms for the first time and declaring that he will walk again.

    Several famous names make cameo appearances in the clip, including Pat Riley from the Miami Heat, Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton, and recording artist TobyMac.
  • Bassist Nathan Cochran told New Release Today Mercy Me started penning "Say I Won't" early in the songwriting process for Inhale (exhale) back in 2019, but didn't finish it. Then, while on tour, the band received the grim news about Gary Miracle. After talking to Gary about his "new normal," the Mercy Me members "were pleased that, despite his tragic circumstances, his identity of who he is in Christ hadn't changed." His story gave them the inspiration they needed to complete the song.

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