Chart Rewind: July 2005 – Joy Williams Finds Healing at No. 1 with “Hide”

Christian pop singer-songwriter Joy Williams topped the charts 20 years ago when her single "Hide" soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, holding the position throughout the entire month. 

Released as the lead single from her third studio album, Genesis, "Hide" debuted to instant acclaim, becoming a radio favorite and connecting with listeners through its vulnerable message. The song's tender lyrics call out to anyone masking their pain, inviting them to find refuge and healing-a theme that resonated deeply across Christian radio.

Co-written with Jason Houser and Matthew West, and produced by Matt Bronleewe, "Hide" combined Williams' soaring vocals with cinematic pop arrangements, setting it apart on the airwaves. By mid-June 2005, the track had reached No. 1, staying there for six straight weeks-covering every chart published in July.

The success of "Hide" wasn't just on the charts. It broke radio records with 47 first-week adds on Christian Adult Contemporary stations, earning Williams a Nielsen BDS Certified Christian Spin Award. The song later received a nomination for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 2006 Dove Awards, while Genesis earned its own nod for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.

For fans in 2005, "Hide" became an anthem of hope, and for Joy Williams, it marked a defining moment-one where vulnerability and artistry met at the very top of the charts.

Here is a direct listening link to the song:

Listen to "Hide" by Joy Williams on YouTube

After the success of "Hide" in 2005, Joy Williams gradually transitioned away from the contemporary Christian music scene where she first gained prominence. Following the release of her album Genesis and a string of charting singles, she left her label in 2006 and began exploring a more independent, singer-songwriter path. Over the next few years, she released several EPs that showcased a shift toward alternative and folk influences. This evolution led to the formation of The Civil Wars, a duo with John Paul White that achieved widespread acclaim, winning multiple Grammy Awards before their abrupt breakup in 2014. Williams then embarked on a solo career in the folk/Americana genre, releasing albums such as Venus (2015) and Front Porch (2019), both marked by introspective songwriting and a more acoustic sound. Throughout these transitions, she moved away from the pop-leaning CCM style of her early years, establishing herself as a versatile and respected artist in the broader music landscape. 

 

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