What If We Were Real is the fourth studio album by Christian singer Mandisa,
released on April 5, 2011 by Sparrow Records. Christopher Steven returns as producer, along with David Garcia, Dan Muckala and Chance Scoggins each producing tracks.
What If We Were Real's sound is more adult contemporary but has elements of pop, R&B and some electronic dance music (EDM). According to the Christian music website Jesusfreakhideout, "The 11 songs of joy, struggle, worship and redemption encourage shining the light on who we really are, including both the good and the bad. The theme of the record also coincides with parts of Mandisa’s journey as she has publicly discussed her own struggle with weight loss on Today, CNN Online, E! News Live as well as the pages of US Weekly and People."
Mandisa co-wrote three songs on the album including "Just Cry," the most revealing track that reassures listeners that it is acceptable, and even healthy, to release one’s feelings and emotions. The lead single and music video "Stronger" was an out-of-the-box hit and gave Mandisa her first number one song on the Billboard Christian radio charts. She collaborates once again with tobyMac on the track "Good Morning." (Mandisa first collaborated with tobyMac and Kirk Franklin on the track "Lose My Soul" on his 2007 album Portable Sounds).
Both singles were her first two Gold certified hits from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for a combined total of one million downloads and streams between 2014 and 2017.
What If We Were Real debuted and peaked at number 2 on the Top Christian Albums and at number 66 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums charts. In 2012, Mandisa was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (her third) and at the Dove Awards she was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year (her fourth).
Track listing
1. Stronger (Christopher Stevens, David Garcia, Ben Glover) -3:33
2. What If We Were Real (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Cindy Morgan, Ben Glover) -3:19
3. These Days (Ben Glover, Tony Wood, Brian White) -3:17
4. The Truth About Me (Kerrie Roberts, Ronnie Freeman, Tony Wood, Simon
Hawkins) -3:32
5. Say Goodbye (Sam Mizell, Jeff Pardo) -3:12
6. Good Morning (featuring tobyMac) (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Toby McKeehan,
Jaime Moore, Cary Barlowe, Aaron Rice) -3:23
7. Waiting for Tommorow (Ben Glover, Jeff Pardo) -3:17
8. Just Cry (Mandisa Lynn Hundley, Tony Wood, Ronnie Freeman) -4:35
9. Temporary Fills (Ricky Free, Michael Fordinal) -2:44
10. Free (Lauren Evans, Aaron Rice, Jaime Moore, Carl Barlowe) -4:09
11. Lifeline (Tony Wood, Robin Ghosh, Jason Barton) -3:28
"Good Morning" featuring tobyMac single Gold certified in 2014.
"Stronger" single Gold certified in 2017.
Production credits
Christopher Stevens -producer (tracks 1 -3, 5 -7, 9 and 11)
David Garcia -co-producer (tracks 1, 7 and 11)
Dan Muckala -producer (tracks 4 and 10)
Chance Scoggins -producer (track 8)
Radio singles
2011 "Waiting for Tomorrow" -#3 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, #3 Billboard
Christian Airplay, #5 Billboard Christian AC Airplay
2012 "Good Morning" featuring tobyMac -#18 Billboard Hot Christian Songs,
Next release: Remixed: Get Movin' (2012) (remix EP)
Watch the music video of "Stronger" (Live in the Studio) here: