1. Entertainment

Discuss in my forum

GMA Dove Awards - Song of the Year History

By , About.com Guide

2002 - "I Can Only Imagine" - Bart Millard

MercyMe - Almost ThereINO Records
The song that put MercyMe on the world map, "I Can Only Imagine," off of Almost There, surprised everyone when it got tons of airplay on secular radio stations all across the United States.

Compare Prices

2001 - "Redeemer" - Nicole C. Mullen

Nicole C. Mullen - Nicole C. MullenWord
"Redeemer," off of Nicole's 2000 release, Nicole C. Mullen, was huge on radio all through 2000. The R&B sound, combined with an acoustic guitar, strings and a choir, help make this a stand out song.

Compare Prices

2000 - "This Is Your Time" - Michael W. Smith, Wes King

Michael W. Smith - This Is Your TimeReunion Records
This moving testimonial to the students who died at the Columbine High School tragedy is the title track off of the 1999 release.

Compare Prices

1999 - "My Deliverer" - Rich Mullins, Mitch McVicker

Rich Mullins - The Jesus RecordWord Entertainment
On the two-disc, 1988 release, The Jesus Record, most of the songs on disc one were recorded on a battery-powered box only a few days before Mullins' death. The songs on disc two, including "My Deliverer," were produced by Rich's band, the Ragamuffins, with special guests Amy Grant, Ashley Cleveland, Michael W. Smith and Phil Keaggy.

Compare Prices

1998 - "On My Knees" - David Mullen, Nicole Coleman-Mullen, Michael Ochs

Jaci Velasquez - Heavenly PlaceWord Entertainment
Performed on her 1996 release, Heavenly Place, Jaci Velasquez made this song her own. Co-writer Nicole C. Mullen didn't release the song until 2000, when she included it on her album, Nicole C. Mullen.

Compare Prices

1997 - "Butterfly Kisses" - Bob Carlisle, Randy Thomas

Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses Shades of GraceBenson Records
Originally released in 1996 on Shades of Grace, "Butterfly Kisses" did so well at radio that Bob's label re-released the album, re-titling it Butterfly Kisses - Shades of Grace with two versions of the hit song. The first version is a country re-mix and the second version is the original ballad.

Compare Prices

1996 - "Jesus Freak" - Mark Heimermann, Toby McKeehan

dc Talk - Jesus FreakVirgin Records
dc Talk = "Jesus Freak." The single alone sold over 150,000 copies and the album premiered at #16 on Billboard's Top 200 before moving on to win a GRAMMY.

Compare Prices

1995 - "God Is In Control" - Twila Paris

Twila Paris - Beyond A DreamStar Song
First released in November 1993 on Beyond A Dream, Twila Paris went on to re-release "God Is In Control" on three other albums.

Compare Prices

1994 - "In Christ Alone" - Shawn Craig, Don Koch

Michael English - Michael EnglishCurb Records
The 1994 winning release of this popular song was performed by Michael English. Brian Littrell, The Martins and Dino have also released this version of "In Christ Alone."

1993 - "The Great Adventure" - Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff Moore

Steven Curtis Chapman - The Great AdventureSparrow Records
The inspiring title track off of Chapman's 1992 release won several awards. At the Dove's, "The Great Adventure" took home Song of the Year, Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year and Short Form Music Video of the Year. The CCM Reader Awards gave it winning marks for Favorite Video and Favorite Song. "The Great Adventure" also took home the NSAI Nashville Songwriter's Association International Award.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.