Overcomer is the fifth studio album by Christian singer Mandisa, released on August 27, 2013 by Sparrow Records. The album has achieved commercial charting successes, as well as critical acclaim by music critics. It was produced by Christopher Stevens and David Garcia on all tracks, except the track "At All Times," which was produced by Ronald Rawls and Chuck Butler.
Bert Gangl of Jesusfreakhideout wrote that the release has an "infectiously positive vibe, rock-solid melodic content and contagiously enthusiastic delivery by a singer whose voice, on her worst day, could probably still shatter the average Waterford crystal centerpiece, any such word-related deficits become largely imperceptible and, truth be told, seem positively irrelevant in the grand scheme of a work this appealing."
At CCM Magazine, Grace S. Aspinwall called this "an encouraging and hopeful project." Tony Coupe of Cross Rhythms felt that "The whole of this quality album comes across as autobiographical and if you are looking for an album to encourage, this will do nicely." At New Release Tuesday, Kevin Davis noted this release comes "loaded with positive grace-filled messages of hope from someone who has struggled with the pressures of life and understands that true happiness and empowerment only comes from her relationship with God," and stated that the music will cause people to "dance and sing along."
The lead single and music video of the title song topped the Billboard Christian radio charts. The music video of "Overcomer" premiered on Good Morning America on September 5, 2013 and premiered on VEVO a week later on September 12, 2013. The music video featured appearances by Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, The Biggest Loser former contestant Hannah Curlee, Arizona Democratic Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly and his wife Gabby Giffords and former Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton. To date, it has over 55 million views on YouTube. "Overcomer" was certified Gold on November 13, 2014 and then Platinum on January 23, 2020.
A deluxe edition of Overcomer contains remixed tracks of the title song and "Press On" and two new tracks: a cover of Lee Ann Womack's 2000 country pop hit "I Hope You Dance" and "Cradle Me (Patsy's Lullabye)." The album topped the Top Christian Albums chart and debuted and peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, making it her highest charting album on the latter. In 2014 at the 56th Grammy Awards, Mandisa won her first, and only, Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. The title song won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song given to its writers Christopher Stevens, David Garcia and Ben Glover. Mandisa, at the time, declined to attend the Grammy Awards because of her faith. At the 45th GMA Dove Awards, Mandisa was nominated for four Dove Awards including Artist of the Year and with "Overcomer" nominated for Song of the Year.
Track listing on the Deluxe Edition
1. Overcomer (Christopher Stevens, David Garcia, Ben Glover) -3:43
2. Back to You (David Garcia, Ben Glover, Alan Powell) -3:36
3. The Distance (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Matthew West, Christopher Stevens)
-3:33
4. Face 2 Face (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, David Garcia, Ben Glover) -3:54
5. Press On (Chuck Butler, Jeff Pardo, Juan Otero) -3:21
6. What Scars Are For (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Jeff Pardo, Sam Mizell) -3:25
7. Dear John (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Tony Wood, Ronnie Freeman) -3:50
8. At All Times (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Israel Houghton) -4:00
9. Joy Unspeakable (Ronnie Freeman) -3:38
10. Praying for You (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Chris August) -3:34
11. Where You Begin (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Cindy Morgan, Ben Glover) -4:00
12. Overcomer (Capital Kings Remix) -3:55
13. Press On (CB Ultra Run Remix) -4:43
14. I Hope You Dance (Mark D. Sanders, Tia Sillers) -4:34
15. Cradle Me (Patsy's Lullabye) (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Patsy Clairmont, Ronald
Rawls) -4:55
"Overcomer" single Gold certified in 2014 and Platinum certified in 2020.
Production credits
Christopher Stevens and David Garcia -producers (tracks 1 -7, 9 -13)
Ronald Rawls and Chuck Butler -producers (track 8)
Christopher Stevens -producer (track 14)
Ronald Rawls -producer (track 15)
Chuck Butler -remixer (track 13)
Capital Kings -remixers (track 12)
Accolade
Grammy Award -Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Overcomer)
Radio singles
2014 "Back to You" - #12 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #7 Billboard Christian Airplay, #10 Billboard Christian AC Airplay
2015 "Press On" -#43 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #27 Billboard Christian Airplay
Previous release: Remixed: Get Movin'Â (2012) (remix EP)
Next release: Get Up: The Remixes (2014) (remix album)
Watch the music video of "Overcomer" here: