Graves into Gardens - Misplaced Pages

Graves into Gardens is the eighth live album (twelfth album overall) by American contemporary worship band Elevation Worship. It was released on May 1, 2020, via Elevation Worship Records alongside Provident Label Group. The album contains guest appearances by Brandon Lake of Bethel Music, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Tauren Wells and Isaiah Templeton. Steven Furtick, Aaron Robertson, Chris Brown, and Jonathan Mix collaborated on the production of the album.

The album was supported by the release of "The Blessing", "Graves into Gardens" and "Rattle!" as singles. "The Blessing" peaked at No. 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, and No. 2 on the Hot Christian Songs chart in the United States, and has been certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Graves into Gardens" became Elevation Worship's highest charting single, registering their first No. 1 single on the Hot Christian Songs chart, and peaking at No. 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. "Rattle!" peaked at No. 4 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, and at No. 25 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. Elevation Worship had initially intended to further promote the album by embarking on the Elevation Nights 2020 tour with pastor Steven Furtick, but the tour was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Graves into Gardens was released to critical acclaim, while achieving commercial success with debuting at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart in the United States, and No. 2 on the OCC's Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart in the United Kingdom, concurrently attaining top 100 mainstream chart entries in the United States, Australia, Canada, Scotland and Switzerland. The album was nominated for Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Album at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Graves into Gardens received nominations for the GMA Dove Award Worship Album of the Year and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year at the 2021 GMA Dove Awards, ultimately winning the Recorded Music Packaging of the Year award.

Background

Elevation Worship's Chris Brown shared the meaning behind the album title and its theme, saying:

Many of our songs come from sermons that Pastor Steven preaches. The title track, in particular, launched from a message of his called 'The Mystery of Potential.' He was in that 2 Kings passage which details that after the prophet Elisha died, his story didn't end there. Two Israelites were near his gravesite about to bury another man. When they saw a band of enemy raiders coming, they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. As soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet (2 Kings 13:20-21). Elisha still had a resurrection miracle left in his bones, and God is still in the business of bringing dead things back to life. If we'll trust God even with the seemingly dead areas of our lives, if we'll believe in the power of God, if we'll declare resurrection power over everything we sow, nothing will be wasted. Nothing is over. God can turn any situation around.

Recording and production

"We love getting in a room with our people and capturing the sound of our church. It’s our favorite way to record the songs God’s given us in that season. There has not been another live recording of ours that has compared to the energy and spirit that was in the room that night."

– Chris Brown, on the decision to release Graves into Gardens as a live album.

The album's nine original tracks were recorded over a night on January 15, 2020, at Elevation Church's Ballantyne campus in Charlotte, North Carolina, where previous Elevation Worship projects have been recorded. Elevation Worship's Chris Brown noted that while most of the songs were written in 2019, "Rattle" and "The Blessing" were written and recorded in early 2020. The band collaborated with Bethel Music's Brandon Lake in writing a number of songs on the album and featured on the album's title track, other collaborators also included Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes on co-writing and leading "The Blessing" as well as Tauren Wells lending his vocals on "Never Lost".

"The Blessing" was written by Jobe, Carnes, together with Steven Furtick and Brown in a writing session on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at Elevation prior to leading it at Elevation's Sunday service on March 1, 2020. "Rattle" was written during quarantine with voice memos and over Zoom calls, and the track was recorded without a live audience, with the band practicing social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Release and promotion

Singles

"The Blessing" was officially released as the lead single of the album on March 20, 2020. The song debuted at No. 3 and No. 4 on the Hot Christian Songs and the Digital Song Sales charts dated April 24, 2020, respectively. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, and No. 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

"Graves into Gardens" was sent to Christian radio stations on August 21, 2020, as the second official single from the album. The song went on to become Elevation Worship's first No. 1 single on the Hot Christian Songs and Christian Airplay charts. The song also peaked at No. 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

"Rattle!" was released to Christian radio stations in the United States on April 23, 2021, as the third official single from the album and peaked at No. 6 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.

Promotional singles

On March 14, 2020, the album was availed for pre-order, with "Graves into Gardens" released as the first promotional single from the album. On April 3, 2020, "My Testimony" was released as the second promotional single from the album. "Rattle!" was availed on April 24, 2020, as the album's third promotional single.

On the day of its release, Elevation Worship announced that the project became the highest pre-added worship album to date on Apple Music.

Touring

In October 2019, Premier Productions announced that Elevation Worship alongside Pastor Steven Furtick would be going on their first arena tour, dubbed Elevation Nights 2020. The tour was slated to commence at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Austin, Texas, on May 26, 2020, and set to conclude at Barclays Center in New York City. The band revealed in March 2020 that the tour will be in support of the then upcoming album.

In April 2020, Elevation Worship announced that the Elevation Nights 2020 tour was cancelled in response to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
365 Days of Inspiring Media	4.5/5
CCM Magazine
The Christian Beat	5/5
Hallels	3/5
Jesus Freak Hideout
One Man In The Middle

Graves into Gardens was met with generally positive reviews. Joshua Andre in his 365 Days of Inspiring Media review praised the album in his review, saying, "I reckon their latest offering is one of the most cohesive ever- yep even more so than Hallelujah Here Below." At CCM Magazine, Dan McIntosh rated the album three-point-five stars out of five, he acknowledged that the collection has "some truly standout tracks," but bemoaned the overall length saying, "this album could have used a little editing." Herb Longs of The Christian Beat gave the album five out of five stars and said that it "dynamically showcases the collective talents of the group while spotlighting a number of special guests". Timothy Yap, in his review for Hallels, felt that the album was underwhelming as it did not match the poetic and artful depiction of the album artwork, saying "Though there are still moments of sublimity, they are all mixed together in what feels like an extremely long album, with one of the songs marathoning close to the 10-minute mark." Michael Weaver of Jesus Freak Hideout complimented the range of the tracks, saying "Elevation manages to break things up just by changing vocalists, but also by completely changing styles. The album features rock, contemporary worship, pop, and gospel music. Not many of the major worship groups are swinging for the fences in this way." Rob Allwright, reviewing for One Man In The Middle, opined "A lot of these songs are faithbuilding and uplifting which is something that is so desperately needed at the moment. Maybe at another time they wouldn’t have hit home quite so strongly, but in the middle of a global pandemic then we need that God is still in control and a reminder of what happens when God says live, even the dead dry bones MUST come to life."

Accolades

Awards
Year	Organization	Award	Result
2021	Billboard Music Awards	Top Christian Album	Nominated
	GMA Dove Awards	Worship Album of the Year	Nominated
	GMA Dove Awards	Recorded Music Packaging of the Year	Won

Commercial performance

In the United States, Graves into Gardens earned 16,000 equivalent album units in its first week of sales, and as a result debuted at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums Chart dated May 16, 2020, the band's fifth chart-topping release on the tally. The album concurrently registered on the mainstream Billboard 200 chart at No. 34. Graves into Gardens debuted on the OCC's Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart at No. 2.

Graves into Gardens also appeared at No. 38 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart, No 66 on the Canadian Albums Chart, No. 39 on Scottish Albums, and No 47 on the Swiss Hitparade.

Track listing

*Graves into Gardens* — Standard edition
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"My Testimony"	Chris Brown Steven Furtick Brandon Lake Tiffany Hammer	4:51
2.	"Graves into Gardens" (featuring Brandon Lake)	Brown Furtick Lake Hammer	7:32
3.	"The Blessing" (with Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes)	Cody Carnes Brown Furtick Kari Jobe Carnes	8:27
4.	"Available"	Matt Redman Ben Fielding Jason Ingram Brown Furtick	9:41
5.	"Authority"	Scott Ligertwood Brooke Ligertwood Brown Furtick	5:39
6.	"Never Lost" (featuring Tauren Wells)	Brown Furtick Hammer	6:50
7.	"No One Beside"	Brown Furtick Hammer	5:56
8.	"Have My Heart (Vamp)"	Furtick Lake Hammer	4:04
9.	"There Is a King"	Furtick Lake Hammer	5:00
10.	"What Would You Do" (featuring Isaiah Templeton)	Furtick Isaiah Templeton	6:50
Total length:			64:50

*Graves into Gardens* — Apple Music standard edition bonus content
No.	Title	Length
11.	"My Testimony" (Music Video)	4:52
12.	"Graves into Gardens" (featuring Brandon Lake; Music Video)	7:32
13.	"Available" (Music Video)	9:40
14.	"Authority" (Music Video)	5:39
15.	"Never Lost" (featuring Tauren Wells; Music Video)	6:51
16.	"No One Beside" (Music Video)	5:57
17.	"Have My Heart (Vamp)" (Music Video)	4:05
18.	"There Is a King" (Music Video)	5:01
19.	"What Would You Do" (featuring Isaiah Templeton; Music Video)	6:46

*Graves into Gardens* — Deluxe
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Rattle!"	Brown Furtick Lake	7:12
2.	"My Testimony"		4:51
3.	"Graves into Gardens" (featuring Brandon Lake)		7:32
4.	"The Blessing" (with Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes)		8:27
5.	"Available"		9:41
6.	"Authority"		5:39
7.	"Never Lost" (featuring Tauren Wells)		6:50
8.	"No One Beside"		5:56
9.	"Have My Heart (Vamp)"		4:04
10.	"There Is a King"		5:00
11.	"What Would You Do" (featuring Isaiah Templeton)		5:02
12.	"God Said Live"	Brown Furtick Lake	3:38
Total length:			75:42

*Graves into Gardens* — Apple Music deluxe bonus content
No.	Title	Length
13.	"Rattle" (Music Video)	10:29
14.	"My Testimony" (Music Video)	4:52
15.	"Graves into Gardens" (featuring Brandon Lake; Music Video)	7:33
16.	"Available" (Music Video)	9:40
17.	"Authority" (Music Video)	5:39
18.	"Never Lost" (featuring Tauren Wells; Music Video)	6:51
19.	"No One Beside" (Music Video)	5:57
20.	"Have My Heart (Vamp)" (Music Video)	4:05
21.	"There Is a King" (Music Video)	5:01
22.	"What Would You Do" (featuring Isaiah Templeton; Music Video)	6:46

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic.

Lizzy Abernethy — background vocals
Jenna Barrientes — background vocals
Jonsal Barrientes — vocals
Vincent Baynard — drums
Joe Booth — saxophone
Jacob Boyles — art direction, design, photography
Chris Brown — acoustic guitar, producer, vocals
Shantay Brown — background vocals
Jonathan Buffum — engineer
Cody Carnes — primary artist, vocals
David Cook — engineer
Chunks Corbett — music business affairs
Elevation Worship — primary artist
Steven Furtick — executive producer, producer
Dominic Geralds — drums
Sam Gibson — mixing
Tiffany Hammer — vocals
Ryan Hollingsworth — art direction
Phillip Howe — trumpet
Brad Hudson — background vocals, vocal producer
Kari Jobe — primary artist, vocals
Andrew Joseph — background vocals
Brandon Lake — featured artist, acoustic guitar, vocals
Drew Lavyne — mastering
Josh Linker — engineer
David Liotta — acoustic guitar, guitar
Jonathan Mix — additional production, editing, engineer, Flugelhorn, trumpet
Davide Mutendji — background vocals
Jack Nellis — editing, engineer, percussion
Taylor Noel — background vocals
Roseanne Parker — background vocals
Michael Pettus — background vocals
Paul Rivera — photography
Aaron Robertson — keyboards, producer, programming
Anna Sailors — vocals
Joey Signa — guitar
Kevin Smith — guitar
Isaiah Templeton — featured artist, vocals
Tauren Wells — featured artist, vocals
Jane Williams — background vocals
Caleb Wood — background vocals
Shae Wooten — bass

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for *Graves into Gardens*
Chart (2020)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	38
Canadian Albums (Billboard)	66
Scottish Albums (OCC)	39
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)	47
UK Album Downloads (OCC)	10
UK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)	2
US Billboard 200	34
US Christian Albums (Billboard)	1

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for *Graves into Gardens*
Chart (2020)	Position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)	7
Chart (2021)	Position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)	5
Chart (2022)	Position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)	5
Chart (2023)	Position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)	4

Release history

Region	Date	Version	Format(s)	Label(s)
Various	May 1, 2020	Standard	Digital download streaming	Elevation Worship Records
	May 1, 2020	Deluxe	Digital download streaming	Elevation Worship Records
	June 12, 2020	Deluxe	CD	Provident Label Group

References

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""American single certifications – Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, and Elevation Worship – The Blessing"". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
^ Asker, Jim (February 4, 2021). "Elevation Worship Earns First No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs & Christian Airplay Charts | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
"Graves Into Gardens Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
^ "Graves Into Gardens Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Bubbling Under Hot 100. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
^ "Rattle! Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
Clarks, Jessie (May 12, 2020). "Elevation Worship's 'Graves Into Gardens' Debuts At #1 On Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart". The Christian Beat. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
^ Longs, Herb (May 1, 2020). "Elevation Worship's Chris Brown & Jenna Barrientes Talk 'Graves Into Gardens'". The Christian Beat. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
^ Klett, Leah MarieAnne (May 1, 2020). "New Elevation Worship album declares 'worship over worry' amid COVId-19, says frontman Chris Brown - The Christian Post". The Christian Post. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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^ Clarks, Jessie (March 8, 2020). "Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship Release "The Blessing (Live)"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
"Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Elevation's "The Blessing: Live" Hits the Christian Charts on Debut | Music Times". Music Times. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
Asker, Jim (April 1, 2020). "All-Star Collab 'The Blessing: Live' Debuts on Christian Charts: 'We Pray This Song Will Bring Peace' | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
""Graves Into Gardens" by Elevation Worship - 55 Promotion". 55 Promotion. August 26, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
""RATTLE!" by Elevation Worship - 55 Promotion". 55 Promotion. April 6, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
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Longs, Herb (April 24, 2020). "Elevation Worship Revival-Filled Anthem "RATTLE!" Drops". The Christian Beat. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
"JFH News: Elevation Worship Releases New Live Album, "Graves Into Gardens" Today". JesusFreakHideout. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
Woolum, Brandon (October 18, 2019). "Elevation Worship Announces Headling [sic] Tour – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. Salem Communications. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
"Elevation Nights 2020 To Bring the Music, Message of Elevation Church Across Nation : News : Hallels". Hallels. October 19, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
Longs, Herb (May 1, 2020). "Elevation Worship New Live Album 'Graves Into Gardens' Coming May 1". The Christian Beat. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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Longs, Herb (April 29, 2021). "Billboard Music Awards Announce 2021 Nominees For Top Christian/Gospel Artist, Song & Album - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
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Nicholson, Jessica (October 22, 2021). "GMA Dove Awards Winners 202: Full List | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
Asker, Jim (May 13, 2020). "Michael W. Smith Earns First No. 1 on Christian Airplay Chart With 'Waymaker' | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved May 18, 2020. Worship collective Elevation Worship banks its fifth No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, all of which have debuted at the apex, with Graves Into Gardens. In its first week, ending May 7, the set earned 16,000 equivalent album units, including 8,000 in album sales.
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External links

Lyrics and sheet music for the album on PraiseCharts

v t e Elevation Worship
Albums	Kingdom Come (2010) For the Honor (2011) Nothing Is Wasted (2013) Only King Forever (2014) Wake Up the Wonder (2014) Here as in Heaven (2016) There Is a Cloud (2017) Lo Harás Otra Vez (2017) Hallelujah Here Below (2018) Aleluya (En La Tierra) (2019) Graves into Gardens (2020) Old Church Basement (2021) Lion (2022) Can You Imagine? (2023)
EPs	Kingdom Come Remix (2010) Nothing Is Wasted (2012) At Midnight (2019)
Singles	"O Come to the Altar" "Do It Again" "Won't Stop Now" "Here Again" "Echo" "Here Comes Heaven" "Resurrecting" "With You" "See a Victory" "Never Lost" "The Blessing" "Graves into Gardens" "Rattle!" "Might Get Loud" "Jireh" "Same God" "Trust in God" "Praise" "God Is Not Against Me"
Promotional singles	"My Testimony" "Talking to Jesus" "Wait on You" "What I See" "This Is the Kingdom"
Other songs	"Here as in Heaven" "Old Church Basement" "Million Little Miracles" "Mercy" "Lion" "Water Is Wild"

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