Who is MERCYME?

They are a Christian band made up of five guys. They formed their group MercyMe eight years ago. In August 2001 they released their album “Almost There”. It went gold in less than a year and is almost platinum now. It was the best-selling debut in 2001 for Christian music. From that album came one of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard, “I Can Only Imagine”. They won three Dove awards for that song: Song of the Year, Pop Recorded Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for lead singer, Bart Millard.

Why I bought this DVD.

I was looking at a used music and movie store when I happened to spot this MercyMe - Spoken For DVD. My 9 year old son, Aaron, absolutely loves the song ”I Can Only Imagine”. So I thought I would surprise him and buy the DVD for him. I noticed that it also had the story to the song included so I thought that would be interesting to find out how the song came about.

The Menu:

I Can Only Imagine - Story Behind the Song
Music Video
Making of the Music Video
The Band Menu
Here I Am - Music Video
Making of the Music Video

Bonus Home Video:

Dove Awards Day – GMA Week with Director’s Comments
Home Video Montage
The Bus Story

Story Behind the Song – I Can Only Imagine

In 1991 the lead singer, Bart Millard, was eighteen years old. His father passed away from cancer. Bart found himself writing I Can Only Imagine over and over in a notebook. The song ended up being written in five minutes, but it was something that had been in his heart for eight or nine years. He thought about the loss of his father while writing the song, but wanted to make it where it related to today also. It first began as a fast song and he felt they just couldn’t get it right. They almost didn’t record it, but they were finally able to work on it to find the sound he was looking for. He didn’t expect the song to be the focal point of the album, but it took off. He was amazed at how many people the song has touched.

The Video:

It begins with a little boy walking up steps. There are various pictures of the band. It is filmed in an old house. It is shot in a sepia tone. Throughout the video there are different people holding empty picture frames. Then it shows people holding framed pictures of their loved ones. The band is set up and playing in the living room of the old house. There is a shot of Bart holding a picture of his father that he lost to cancer. The video ends with a little boy running down the road and then laying down in a big open field.

After the video:

There are different people who show pictures of their loved ones. They tell who they are and share special memories. There is footage of the band getting ready to do the video.

About the Song:

I Can Only Imagine is such a beautiful song. It has been played at funerals before and it was even mentioned on the DVD that it has been played at weddings. It has a soft piano playing and it makes me cry everytime I hear it. I think about my Granddaddy who is now with Jesus.

I think the song is so wonderful that I wanted to share the lyrics for someone who may not have heard it yet.

Lyrics:

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

{Chorus}:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

The Band:

Bart Millard – Lead Singer
Robby Shaffer – Drummer & Does the Finances for the group
Nathan Cochran – Bass Player
Mike Scheuchzer – Guitar
Jim Bryson – Keyboards

During the band section you will see a bio on each band member. (15 minutes total on the bio section/approx. 3 minutes each member)

Bonus Home Video:

There is footage shot on the day of the Dove Awards, April 25, 2002. It is done with a home video camera and starts at 5 am taping the group. It goes through the day with them. They start the morning with an interview at a radio station. Then it shows where they rehearse for the show. All of the equipment is stored in a back room. There are shots of the band at sound check. Then they have to get their makeup and there is footage of them winning awards.

The Home Video Montage is clips of singing. There are also behind the scenes footage and clips on a beach and in a boat. There is music playing in the background.

They share their “bus story” with you. There is footage of them as they try to get their broken down bus home.

Here I Am Video:

The band is playing outside somewhere. There is a little girl on a seashore. There are clips of the band as people all in the street walk around them. There are also clips of people from all over the world.

Whom shall I send
Who will go for me
To the ends of the earth
Who will rise up for the King
Here am I send me
Here am I send me

Behind the Scenes:

There is eight minutes of behind the scenes stuff from the Here I am Video. This was their second video. It was shot in downtown Dallas. They told about making the video.

Final Thoughts:

I am really happy that I bought this DVD. Not only is it great for our family music DVD collection, but I found it at a great price. I got it for $3.99 and they do sell it at their website for $10.

Not only do you get two videos on the DVD, but you get a bio on each band member and lots of behind the scenes footage. I felt like I really got to know them through this DVD. They seem like really great guys who love the Lord.

Visit their website at www.mercyme.org








Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8