2013 will mark the 10th year that a winner in the Rock Contemporary Song of the Year category is crowned at the Dove Awards. Thus far in its history, only four bands have takent home the honor - NEEDTOBREATHE with four wins, David Crowder*Band and Switchfoot with two wins each and Stellar Kart with one.
This year, NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot are going for five and three respectively and they're up against Colton Dixon, Jeremy Camp and Rhett Walker Band.
On Tuesday, October 15, we'll find out who won. In the meantime, the nominees are ..
"Afterlife" - Switchfoot
From 2011's Vice Verses, "Afterlife" kicks into high gear with a roar of drums and guitars.
From the song ...
I'll let it burn the way the sunlight burns my skin
The way I feel inside, the way the day begins
I'm ready now
I'm not waiting for the other side
I'm ready now, I'm ready now
"Keep Your Eyes Open" - NEEDTOBREATHE
From another 2011 hit (The Reckoning), "Keep Your Eyes Open" is pure stadium rock! iF NEEDTOBREATHE wins, it will be the fifth year in a row of doing so.
- 2012 winner - "Slumber" from The Reckoning
- 2011 winner - "Something Beautiful" from The Outsiders
- 2010 winner - "Lay 'Em Down" from The Outsiders
- 2009 winner - "Washed By The Water" from The Heat
From the song ...
If you could soldier on
Headstrong into the storm
I’ll be here waiting on the other side
Don’t look back
The road is long
The first days of the war are gone
Take back your former throne and turn the tide
"Never Gone" - Colton Dixon
First performed on the American Idol tour, Colton Dixon's "Never Gone" was also released as a single before A Messenger ever hit stores. A solid track on his debut album, this is a song that could apply as easily to children who have left the nest on less than the best terms as it does to us all as children of God who sometimes turns our backs on Him.
From the song ...
I’m still standing here
No I didn’t disappear
Now the lights are on
See I was never gone
I let go of your hand
To help you understand
With you all along
Oh, I was never gone
"Reckless" - Jeremy Camp
The title track from Jeremy's 2013 album is a piano-driven testimony that is also a challenge for us to give up what the world says is important and follow Jesus wherever He leads.
From the song ...
I wanna be reckless
Cause You are endless
I wanna be shameless
And shout Your greatness
I will not be afraid
To surrender my way
And follow who You are
I wanna be reckless, reckless
"When Mercy Found Me" - Rhett Walker Band
From the 2012 release, Come To The River, "When Mercy Found Me" was the lead single. Honest lyrics meet sorrowful, slide guitars and a story-tellers soul and you've got quite a song.
From the song ...
My Savior's arms were open wide
And I felt love for the very first time
When mercy found me
