El Shaddai (song)
| "El Shaddai" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Amy Grant | ||||
| from the album Age to Age | ||||
| Released | 1982 | |||
| Genre | Contemporary Christian | |||
| Length | 4:08 | |||
| Label | Myrrh Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Michael Card, John Thompson | |||
| Producer | Brown Bannister | |||
| Amy Grant singles chronology | ||||
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"El Shaddai" is a Contemporary Christian music song. It was written by Michael Card and John Thompson, using direct quotes from scripture as their inspiration, and recorded by Michael Card on one of his first two albums. However, it is also commonly associated with the singer Amy Grant, who recorded it on her 1982 platinum album Age to Age.[1]
The title comes from a Judaic name of God, usually translated as "God Almighty" (see El Shaddai). Approximately half the lyrics of the chorus are in the Hebrew language, which is rather unusual for a Contemporary Christian song. The recording was in the style of a performance ballad, but the song was subsequently published in some hymnbooks[2] and is occasionally sung congregationally.
The song was a hit single for Grant, reaching the top ten of the Billboard Christian chart.[1] "El Shaddai" won "Song of the Year" and Card won "Songwriter of the Year" at the 1983 GMA Dove Awards.[3] It was also named one of the "Songs of the Century" by the RIAA in 2001.[4]
Before releasing her album Behind the Eyes in 1997, Grant released a CD single of "Takes a Little Time", which featured a newly-recorded version of the song. Performed in an intimate setting, this version was notable for the solo violin used throughout the recording.This version has never been made available on any album or compilation.
Grant recorded another new version of the song for her 2005 album Rock of Ages...Hymns and Faith. "El Shaddai" has been covered by many contemporary Christian and gospel recording artists, including Pat Boone,[5] Winans Phase 2 [6] and Eden's Bridge. There also exist translated versions which combine Hebrew with other languages.
Earlier versions included a line "Though the Jews just couldn't see/ What Messiah ought to be" but in more recent versions this has been changed to "Though the people couldn't see/ What Messiah ought to be."
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[edit] Translation of Hebrew lyrics
El Shaddai is most often translated as "God Almighty (אל שׁדי)."
El-Elyon na Adonai is a combination of two names for God, meaning "God Most High (אל עליון), O Lord (אדני)" (na (נא) is a particle of entreaty, sometimes translated "please" but often left untranslated).
Erkamka na Adonai is taken from Psalm 18:1 (except for the "na," which is added) and is normally translated "I love you (ארחמך), O Lord." Psalm 18:1 is the only place that the Hebrew Bible uses this verb for love in the Qal stem; this is normally an Aramaic usage. Hebrew uses this verb in the Piel stem.
For more information on the translation, see Names of God in Judaism, El Shaddai, El (god), Shaddai and Elyon.
[edit] Charts
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | "El Shaddai" | Billboard Christian | 1 |
[edit] Music sample
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[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Amy Grant biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p2295/biography.
- ^ Among others, The United Methodist Hymnal publishes it as no. 123
- ^ "GMA Dove Awards - History". http://www.doveawards.com/history/browse.cfm?year=1983.
- ^ "Songs of the Century". CNN.com. 2001-03-07. http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/07/list.top.365.songs/. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
- ^ "Album featuring El Shaddai sung by Pat Boone". http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6707969/a/Greatest+Contemporary+Christian+Songs.htm.
- ^ "Album featuring El Shaddai sung by Winans Phase 2". http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Book-Various-Artists/dp/B00000J28C.
- ^ a b "Amy Grant biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p2295/biography.
- ^ Among others, The United Methodist Hymnal publishes it as no. 123
- ^ "GMA Dove Awards - History". http://www.doveawards.com/history/browse.cfm?year=1983.
- ^ "Songs of the Century". CNN.com. 2001-03-07. http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/07/list.top.365.songs/. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
- ^ "Album featuring El Shaddai sung by Pat Boone". http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6707969/a/Greatest+Contemporary+Christian+Songs.htm.
- ^ "Album featuring El Shaddai sung by Winans Phase 2". http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Book-Various-Artists/dp/B00000J28C.
