History is the second studio album released by American CCM musician Matthew West. The album was released on Universal South Records on June 21, 2005.^[1] While the entire album was produced by Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser, six of the tracks were written solely by West and the other five he co-wrote with the album's producers and others. Three radio singles were released off the album: "Next Thing You Know", "Only Grace", and "History".

Background

Matthew West began recording in studio for History in early 2005.^[2] He co-produced the album along with Kenny Greenberg and Jason Houser.^[3] West wrote six of the album's tracks himself, and co-wrote the other five songs with the album's producers and others.^[1]

West's theme for the album and its title track "History" was inspired by seeing an R&R music news headline that stated "Matthew West Makes History", in reference to his first album Happy.^[4] He noted, "It's not every day you read a headline like that with your name in it that calls you a history maker. I remember thinking this was one of those moments in my career that I needed to soak up."^[4]

Release and promotion

The album was released through Universal South Records in the United States on June 21, 2005.^[1] On June 20, one day before the album, the first single "Next Thing You Know" was released to radios.^[5]

Starting on September 14, 2005, West began his own 30-city headliner History 101 tour, which was named after the album. History 101 was the first tour that he had headlined, also featuring Christian artists Shawn McDonald and Paul Wright.^[6]

The next singles released off of the album were "Only Grace" and later the title track "History".^[7][8]

Chart performance

History charted at #17 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums and reached #26 on the Top Heatseekers chart.^[9] The album's first single "Next Thing You Know (Thirteen)" reached #3 on Billboards Hot Christian Songs chart^[10] and also #3 on the Hot Christian AC chart.^[11]

Track listing

References