“Thank God I Do” by Lauren Daigle

Lauren Daigle, a songstress from Louisiana with a discography dating back to 2014, has been one of the most successful Christian artists of the past few years. Both of her studio albums thus far, 2015’s “How Can It Be” and 2018’s “Look Up Child”, have reached the pinnacle of Billboard’s Top Christian Albums’ chart, in addition to achieving RIAA-platinum certification. 

The latter of those projects also topped UK Christian & Gospel Albums Chart, in addition to reaching as high as number three on the Billboard 200 itself.

So finally, as of May 2023, Lauren is on the verge of dropping her third studio LP, once again through Centricity Music, as with the previous outings, though this time also backed by Atlantic Records.  And the project’s lead single, “Thank God I Do”, which came out on 8 March 2023, also marks her first new song in a couple of years.

MIKE ELIZONDO IN THE HOUSE

Mike Elizondo, who produced this track, has to be just about the most-diverse behind-the-scenes’ musician in the industry. He has been in the game for nearly three decades now, and Elizondo’s early goings were most notably marked by a regular working relationship with Dr. Dre, which found Mike heavily involved in the come-up of Eminem and 50 Cent. In other words, he’s a notable figure in the history of rap music.

Since then he has gone on to work with a plethora of artists, including the likes of Sheryl Crow, Jonas Brothers, Bebe Rexha and most notably, as far putting together hit songs is concerned, Twenty One Pilots and Ed Sheeran. 

Also to note, Elizondo was the executive producer of the highly successful Encanto (2021) soundtrack, including being involved in its own mega-hit, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno“.

Meanwhile the writers of “Thank God I Do”, besides Lauren Daigle, are Jeff Bhasker, Jason Ingram, Nate Ruess and Alicia Moore. And interesting to note that his only Grammy Award to date was granted in 2011 in the category of Best Rock Gospel Album due to him co-producing Switchfoot’s LP “Hello Hurricane” (2009).

‘THANK GOD SHE DOES’

The primary addressee of this song is in fact the Most High. And for starters, the vocalist comes off as someone who is, most simply put, depressed and lonely and has been in this state for “so long”. But in terms of the thesis sentiment, ‘thankfully she does’ have a relationship with the Lord.

Based on the bridge, He presented similarly as in the Book of Proverbs basically, as an entity who unwaveringly holds down those who believe in Him. So really, what Lauren is saying is that if the Almighty did not play such a role in her life – as her “safe place”, “hideaway” and “steadiness” for instance – then it’s as if the aforementioned depression and loneliness would have completely overtaken her soul.

So, dear reader, this is very much a praise song, one in which, to reiterate, the vocalist is celebrating her personal relationship with God. But it is generally applicable, in that what it’s actually meant to speak to is the concept of the Lord being lovingly faithful to those, even the distressed, who believe in Him.

“I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know You
I’d probably fall off the edge
I don’t know where I’d go if You ever let go
So keep me held in Your hands”