Say Yes

Album: Journey to Freedom (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This uplifting spiritual anthem finds Williams singing praise to the Lord. She is joined on the peppy gospel tune by Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. It's the third track the Destiny's Child trio have released since the trio went their separate ways in 2006, following "Nuclear" from their 2013 Love Songs romantic tunes compilation and "You Changed" from Rowland's 2013 Talk a Good Game CD. Bey's little sister, Solange, also joins in the fun.

    The unofficial Destiny's Child reunion came about after Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé heard the song. "They received an advance copy of the album and called saying, 'We love 'When Jesus Says Yes'… there has to be a Destiny's Child mix of the song,'" Williams recalled to The Hollywood Reporter. "Kelly did it and Beyoncé got right in the studio and did her part. I kept it a secret because I didn't want anyone to know until it was time."
  • The song is an updated remix of the Nigerian gospel song "When Jesus Says Yes." Producer Harmony Samuels (Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Chris Brown) blended the upbeat swing of West African gospel with a driving EDM beat. Williams told The Hollywood Reporter: "It is a song that came from Africa more than a hundred years ago. I don't think anyone knows who wrote it or who started singing that chorus."
  • The video features a giant dance party with guest appearances from Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. Williams said on Good Morning America that being back with her Destiny's Child sisters reminded her of old times. "Sometimes the director or production assistants had to say like, 'OK, girls, bring it back home,'" she explained. "Bring it back together because when were were together, we go back to how we were when we were younger, just always laughing and talking abut things. It's been a great moment."
  • Michelle Williams told MTV News that it was always in the plan for the three ladies to reunite. "It feels wonderful [to work with them], and no matter how much we try to say it's not a Destiny's Child song [it doesn't matter]," she told MTV News, laughing.

    Williams added that she and the other two girls made a pact to keep working on each other's solo work. "There was an interview we did some years ago saying that we would participate, in whatever capacity, on each other's solo projects," she explained. "Whether that is appearing with Beyoncé from time to time on her tours, or on shows, or Kelly's album, so this was my turn now to have them on an original song on my album."
  • The Destiny's Child trio performed this song live on March 28, 2015 at the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The girl group's previous performance together was two years previously during Beyoncé's 2013 Super Bowl halftime show.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.