Some songs stop you in your tracks the moment you hear them.
I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe is one of those songs that has moved people to tears since the very first time it played on the radio.
The lyrics are simple, but the emotion behind them is anything but. A lot of people hear it and wonder what Bart Millard was actually feeling when he sat down and wrote it.
This is a full breakdown of what each line means and the story behind one of the best-selling Christian singles ever recorded. By the end, the meaning behind every word will be much clearer.
About I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe
I Can Only Imagine is a song by the Christian rock band MercyMe.It was written by lead singer Bart Millard, originally recorded in 1999 for the independent album The Worship Project, and then released in 2001 on the major‑label debut Almost There.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Song Title | I Can Only Imagine |
| Artist | MercyMe |
| Album | Almost There |
| Release Year | 2001 |
| Genre | Contemporary Christian / Gospel |
| Written By | Bart Millard |
| Produced By | Pete Kipley |
| Label | INO / Curb Records |
| Duration | 4 minutes 8 seconds |
I Can Only Imagine Lyrics
I can only imagine
What will it be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes would see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
Yeah
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus
Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus
Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah-yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
I Can Only Imagine Lyrics Meaning
I Can Only Imagine is not just a worship song. It is a deeply personal letter written by a son grieving his father and wondering what heaven actually feels like.
Bart Millard wrote the song after his father, Arthur Millard, passed away from cancer.
His father had been an abusive man for most of Bart’s childhood, but underwent a dramatic spiritual transformation in his final years.
Watching that change and then losing him inspired every word of the song.
The central question the song asks is deceptively simple. What will it actually feel like to stand in front of God? Will you dance? Will you fall to your knees? Will you be completely speechless?
Millard admits he has no idea. None of us does. That honest uncertainty is exactly what made the song connect with so many people across so many different backgrounds and beliefs.
Quote Box
Fans have picked out several lines from I Can Only Imagine that have stayed with them over the years. Here are some of the most talked-about ones:
“Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?”
This line captures the core tension of the whole song. Joy and reverence are pulling in opposite directions. Millard does not pick one because he genuinely does not know which feeling would win in that moment.
“Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall?”
Another question with no answer. The imagery of falling to your knees is one of the most powerful in the song and the one that tends to hit listeners the hardest emotionally.
“Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?”
This is the line that gets most people. The idea of being so overwhelmed that even words disappear. It is the most vulnerable moment in the entire song.
“I can only imagine.”
Repeated throughout, and it carries more weight every time. It is not a lyric of doubt. It is a lyric of longing, wonder, and genuine faith in something that cannot be fully put into words.
Similar Songs by MercyMe
Fans who connect with the emotional depth and worshipful atmosphere of I Can Only Imagine will likely appreciate these other MercyMe songs:
1. Coming Up to Breathe: A powerful rock-driven worship track about finding faith in moments of struggle and exhaustion. The honest, searching tone connects directly with the emotional vulnerability of I Can Only Imagine.
2. Bring the Rain: One of MercyMe’s most emotionally raw songs about choosing faith even in the middle of suffering and loss. The production is bigger and more dramatic, but the heart is the same.
3. Even If: Written during a period of personal hardship, Even If explores what it means to hold onto faith when prayers do not get answered the way you hoped. Deeply moving and one of their strongest songs.
4. Word of God Speak: A quieter, more intimate worship song that strips everything back to a simple request for God to speak into silence. The understated production makes the emotional core of the lyrics land even harder.
5. Greater: An uplifting anthem about the power of faith over fear. More energetic than I Can Only Imagine but equally focused on the transformative impact of genuine belief and trust.
Other Artists, You Will Like if You Like MercyMe
Fans of MercyMe often connect with artists who combine honest songwriting, emotional depth, and faith-driven themes that go beyond surface-level worship music.
1. Chris Tomlin
One of the most widely performed worship artists in the world, Chris Tomlin writes anthemic, emotionally resonant songs that share MercyMe’s gift for connecting faith with feeling.
2. Casting Crowns
Known for deeply personal and theologically grounded lyrics, Casting Crowns writes songs about doubt, struggle, and redemption that resonate strongly with fans of I Can Only Imagine.
3. Brandon Heath
Brandon Heath combines storytelling songwriting with contemporary Christian production in a way that feels personal and honest, much like Bart Millard’s approach with MercyMe.
4. Hillsong Worship
The global worship collective behind some of the most widely sung modern worship songs, Hillsong shares MercyMe’s ability to write music that feels both personal and universal at once.
5. Third Day
One of Christian rock’s most respected bands, Third Day blends Southern rock influences with deeply felt worship themes that appeal strongly to fans of MercyMe’s more guitar-driven moments.
Conclusion
I Can Only Imagine holds up more than two decades after its release.
The song captures something most music never comes close to: the feeling of standing at the edge of something so vast that words almost fail.
The lyrics reward a closer read. Every question Millard asks carries the weight of real grief, real faith, and real wonder that no one who has ever lost someone they love can fail to feel.
Got a line from the song that hits you differently every time you hear it? Drop it in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Song I Can Only Imagine Appropriate for a Funeral?
Yes, I Can Only Imagine is often played at funerals because of its emotional lyrics about heaven, hope, and reunion with loved ones. Many families find the song comforting and uplifting.
What Is the True Story Behind I Can Only Imagine?
The song was written by Bart Millard from MercyMe and was inspired by the death of his father and his thoughts about meeting God in heaven. It became one of the most popular Christian songs ever.
Did Bart Marry Shannon in Real Life?
Yes, Bart Millard is married to Shannon Millard in real life. The couple has been together for many years and has children together.
