Desperate (Jamie MacDonald song)
| "Desperate" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Jamie MacDonald | ||||
| Released | January 3, 2025 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:30 | |||
| Label | Capitol Christian Music Group | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Jordan Sapp | |||
| Jamie MacDonald singles chronology | ||||
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| Lauren Daigle singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Desperate" on YouTube | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 20 the Countdown Magazine |   |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  |
"Desperate" is a song by American alternative pop musician Jamie MacDonald.[1] The song was officially released as a single on January 3, 2025, through Capitol CMG.[2][3] It peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart[4] and No. 1 on the Christian Adult Contemporary chart.[5] On June 6, 2025, an extended single was released, featuring four remixed or alternate recordings of the song.[6]
On July 11, 2025, a rendition of the song featuring Lauren Daigle, was released.[7]
Writing and production
[edit]The song was written by MacDonald, Jonathan Gamble, and Jordan Sapp with Sapp as producer.[8][9] Its central theme is the importance of having faith in difficult times.[10][11] MacDonald said of the song:[9]
"The lyrics for ‘Desperate’ were inspired by several ongoing life situations that were weighing heavy on our hearts but completely out of our control. Writing this with Jonathan and Jordan was truly a gift because both have become like brothers to me, and it was a safe space to share some really deep struggles that day, which led to the completion of this song."
The song was inspired by the death of MacDonald's father.[12]
"Desperate" is in the key of F with a speed of 70 beats per minute and a time signature of 6
8.[13]
Critical reception
[edit]Speaking for Jesus Freak Hideout, Josh Balogh awarded the song a 4-out-of-5 star review, stating that the vocals "occasionally blur the line between MacDonald and Daigle, making it tricky to distinguish Daigle's feature", and that "a touch more separation could have highlighted her contribution", but still praised the song as a "heartrending anthem that transforms personal sorrow into collective hope".[12]
Chart performance
[edit]"Desperate" debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart,[14] later reaching No. 11 on the chart.[4] Additionally, the song reached No. 3 on the Christian Airplay chart,[15] and topped the Christian Adult Contemporary chart.[5] It peaked at No. 3 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart.[16]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Desperate" |
| Jordan Sapp | 3:30 |
| 2. | "A Million Chances" |
| Austin Davis | 3:21 |
| Total length: | 6:52 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Desperate" |
| Jordan Sapp | 3:30 |
| 2. | "Desperate" (studio session) |
| Jordan Sapp | 3:39 |
| 3. | "Desperate" (acoustic) |
| Jordan Sapp | 3:26 |
| 4. | "Desperate" (Worship Together version) |
| Jordan Sapp | 3:47 |
| 5. | "Desperate" (instrumental) |
| Jordan Sapp | 3:30 |
| Total length: | 17:54 | |||
Accolades
[edit]"Desperate" was nominated at the 2025 K-Love Fan Awards for Song of the Year and Breakout Single of the Year.[17][18]
Personnel
[edit]- Aaron Sterling — drums
- Austin Davis — guitar, percussion
- BC Taylor — percussion
- Becca Bradley — cello
- Bernie Herms — piano
- Cara Fox — cello
- Dan Machenzie — vocal editing
- Devonne Fowikes — BGVs
- Dom Liberati — bass
- Jamie MacDonald — composer, writer, lead vocalist, BGVs
- Jason Eskridge — BGVs
- Jonathan Gamble — composer, producer, BGVs
- Jordan Sapp — composer, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming, recording
- Kiley Phillips — BGVs
- Kristin Weber — violin
- McKandree Tucker — arranger
- Sam Moses — mastering, engineer
- Sean Moffitt — mixing
- Simon Lewin — engineer
- Wil Merrell — BGVs
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Christian Songs (Billboard)[4] | 10 |
| US Christian Airplay (Billboard)[15] | 3 |
| US Christian Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[5] | 1 |
| US Christian Digital Songs (Billboard)[16] | 3 |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Version | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | Single | January 3, 2025 | Capitol Christian Music Group | [3] | |
| Extended single | January 6, 2025 | [19] |
References
[edit]- ^ "The Heart Behind 'Desperate' by Jamie MacDonald". Life 90.5. 2025-02-04. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b "Desperate - credits". AllMusic. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b "Desperate (Single) by Jamie MacDonald". NewReleaseTueday. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b c "Hot Christian Songs". Billboard. 2025-05-24. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
- ^ a b c "Hot Christian Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard. 2025-04-08. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (2025-06-06). "Jamie MacDonald Shares 5 Versions Of Hit Single "Desperate"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Joins Jamie MacDonald on New Version of "Desperate"". 20 the Countdown Magazine. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ Witt, Jason (2025-02-19). "Exclusive interview with Jamie MacDonald". K-Love. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b Williams, Lindsay (2025-02-10). "Newcomer Jamie MacDonald Petitions Heaven on 'Desperate'". K-Love. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ "Desperate with Jamie MacDonald". Purposely. 2025-02-19. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ ""Desperate" - Jamie MacDonald". My Kits. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b Balogh, Josh (2025-07-05). "Jamie MacDonald - Desperate - Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "Desperate by Jamie MacDonald". MultTracks. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs: 2025-01-18". Billboard. 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b "Christian Airplay". Billboard. 2025-04-22. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ a b "Christian Digital Song Sales". Billboard. 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ Clarks, Jesse (2025-05-02). "Jamie MacDonald Earns Three K-LOVE Fan Awards Nominations". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (2025-05-02). "Brandon Lake, Anne Wilson & More Among 2025 K-LOVE Fan Awards Nominees: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ "Desperate (Extended Single) by Jamie MacDonald". New Release Tuesday. 2025-06-06. Archived from the original on 2025-06-09. Retrieved 2025-06-09.