<P> "I Can Only Imagine" is a ballad with a length of four minutes and eight seconds . The song is set in the key of E major and has a moderately slow tempo of 80 beats per minute with a vocal range from B--G ♯ . The song opens up with only a piano, and builds up to include guitar and drums . Millard is credited with both the lyrics and music to the song . The song was produced by Pete Kipley, who had worked with MercyMe previously as well as with artists including Rebecca St. James, Phil Wickham and Lincoln Brewster . </P> <P> The lyrics to the song are based around the narrator wondering what it will be like in Heaven and to be standing before God . Regarding this theme, Millard explained to Fox News that "I was always told that if he could choose, he would rather be in Heaven than here with me . As a Christian I believed that, but as an 18 - year - old it was a little hard to swallow . So the questions in the song came from me asking God what was so great about Him that my dad would rather be there ." </P> <P> "I Can Only Imagine" was re-recorded for their major - label debut record Almost There and released as its lead single in 2001 . The album was recorded in various locations: Ivy Park, The Indigo Room, Paradise Sound and IBC Studios . The single gained radio airplay on some contemporary Christian formats; by November, it peaked at number - one on the Radio & Records Christian AC format and in the top twenty of the Radio & Records Christian CHR chart . </P> <P> In 2003, a Dallas mainstream radio station, 100.3 Wild - FM, first played the song on its morning show, The Fitz Radio Program . They had responded to a caller's repeated requests and the urgings of the program's producer, Todd Sheppard . The song soon became the most requested and most played song on the station . After hearing the song played on the station, Millard called - in and spoke with the crew; MercyMe then came in and played the song live . </P>

When did i can only imagine become number one
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