I Need You (Relient K song)

"I Need You" is a song by American rock band Relient K. It was released in July 2007, as the second Christian radio single and fourth overall from their fifth studio album, Five Score and Seven Years Ago. The reached No. 1 on Radio and Records Christian Rock Songs chart. In February 2008, the single was nominated for a dove award in the "Rock Song of the Year" category.

"I Need You"
Single by Relient K
from the album Five Score and Seven Years Ago
Released	July 2007
Recorded	2006
Genre	Christian rock
Length	3:18
Label	Capitol Gotee
Songwriter(s)	Matthew Thiessen
Producer(s)	Howard Benson
Relient K singles chronology
"The Best Thing" (2007) "I Need You" (2007) "Give Until There's Nothing Left" (2007)

Background and composition

"I Need You" was written by Matt Thiessen and produced by Howard Benson.^[1] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, by Alfred Music Publishing, the track runs at 190 BPM and is in the key of C-sharp minor.^[2] Thiessen's range in the song spans from the notes D♯4 to B5.^[2] Lyrically, the song is about Thiessen's "desperate plea for answered prayer and restoration" to God.^[3]

Critical reception

Jesus Freak Hideout ranked the song at fourth on their "Relient K's Top 20 Songs" list, writing, "this is an excellent song much deserving of top twenty Relient K status. One of the harder rocking songs they ever did."^[4]

Awards

In 2008, the song was nominated for a Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year at the 39th GMA Dove Awards.^[5]

Personnel

Credits for "I Need You" adapted from album's liner notes.^[1]

Relient K Matthew Thiessen – lead vocals, euphonium, French horn Matt Hoopes – guitars, backing vocals Jon Schneck – guitars, backing vocals John Warne – bass guitar, backing vocals Dave Douglas – drums, backing vocals Additional musicians Howard Benson – keyboards, programming Josh Auer – additional vocals Ned Brower – additional vocals

Production Howard Benson – producer Mike Plotnikoff – recording Hatsukazu "Hatch" Inagaki – assistant engineer Paul DeCarli – editing Chris Lord-Alge – mixing Keith Armstrong – mixing assistant Nik Karpen – mixing assistant Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York) Mark Vangool – guitar technician Jon Nicholson – drum technician

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "I Need You" Chart (2007) Peak position UK Cross Rhythms Weekly Chart[6] 5 US Christian Rock Songs (Radio and Records)[7] 1

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "I Need You" Chart (2007) Peak position UK Cross Rhythms Annual Chart[6] 69