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Who Sings "I Can Only Imagine?"

By , About.com Guide

Bart Millard from MercyMe wrote "I Can Only Imagine" after the death of his father as a way to help himself heal. It was released in 2001 on Almost There and it wasn't long before mainstream radio was playing it all across the US. Over the next three years several other artists released their own versions of the song. Some of the releases are ...

MercyMe - 'Almost There' - 2001

MercyMe - Almost ThereINO Records

Although several other artists released MercyMe's song, in this case, the original has remained the best. Bart Millard's delivery touches your heart just as much as the events leading up to the writing of the song touched his.

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John Tesh - 'Red Rocks Platinum' - 2005

John Tesh - Red Rocks PlatinumSpring Hill

Recorded at the Red Rocks concert, this song was also featured on the Worship at Red Rocks DVD from 2004.

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Amy Grant - 'Legacy... Hymns & Faith' - 2002

Amy Grant - Legacy...Hymns & FaithCourtesy of: Word

Amy Grant strips the song down to the roots, yet the power of her voice definitely makes up the difference.

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Rita Springer - 'Effortless' - 2002

Rita Springer - EffortlessE1 Music

With a folk/worship sound, Rita's version is the most different from all of the rest.

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Marie Osmond - 'I Can Do This' - 2010

Marie Osmond - I Can Do ThisOsmond Entertainment

Found on I Can Do This, an album dedicated to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals with all of the proceeds going to the charity that she co-founded, Marie's cover of the MercyMe song is heartfelt and delicate.

Seventh Day Slumber - 'Take Everything' - 2009

Seventh Day Slumber - Take EverythingBEC Recordings

Found on Take Everything, Seventh Day Slumber gives the song a rock edge without losing the sentiment.

Jeff Carson - 'God Bless The USA - Best Of America, Vol. 3' - 2003

God Bless The USA - Best Of America, Vol. 3Curb Records

With a smooth country delivery, Jeff's version sounds quite close to Bart's.

Darla Day - 'These Are The Days' - 2003

Darla Day - These Are the DaysDarla Day

Darla Day has the voice of an angel and she gives her version a little bit of country.

Ivan Parker - 'Just Imagine' - 2003

Ivan Parker - Just ImagineHorizon Records

Ivan Parker delivers as he always does ... heartfelt, easy to listen to and with a traditional, southern gospel flavor.

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Wynonna - 'Her Story: Scenes From a Lifetime' - 2005

Wynonna - Her Story: Scenes From A LifetimeCurb Records

Wynonna opens this song talking about her father and how, while she hasn't met him, she knows that they will meet in Heaven. Beautifully done!

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LaShell Griffin - 'Free' - 2004

LaShell Griffin - FreeSony Urban/Epic

LaShell, the The Oprah Winfrey Show Pop Star Challenge winner, gave a Gospel make over to the song with a piano-driven sound.

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