Rachel Holt’s I Was Gonna Be has become a deeply moving anthem that blends country music with a powerful message. The song, performed by the young singer from Indiana, captures the perspective of an unborn child, offering a voice to those who never had the chance to live. Its heartfelt lyrics and emotional delivery have resonated with audiences, sparking conversations on life, loss, and hope. By telling a story from the point of view of a baby that never got to be born, the song carries both delicate vulnerability and strong conviction.
The Meaning Behind I Was Gonna Be
At its core, I Was Gonna Be is more than just a song it is a pro-life message wrapped in music. Written by songwriter Chris Wallin, the track gives a voice to an unborn child reflecting on what might have been. The lyrics evoke images of potential life, innocence, and dreams left unfulfilled. By using the first-person perspective of the unborn, it becomes a deeply personal and emotional experience for the listener.
Lines like All I wanted was a chance / To learn to love and laugh and dance express a longing for life, joy, and love. The song also points out the tragic reality of abortion, with the unborn voice lamenting I was gone before I arrived, sent back to heaven on a starlight flight. Such words invite listeners to feel both sorrow and empathy, emphasizing the value of a life that never had the chance to begin.
A Perspective That Challenges
What makes this song particularly striking is that it gives center stage to a perspective rarely heard in mainstream music. Rather than preaching or prompting debate in a traditional way, I Was Gonna Be allows listeners to hear the unborn child’s own thoughts and feelings. This narrative technique makes the message more intimate, as though the voice is talking directly to the audience.
By framing the conversation around what was never possible a childhood, first love, simple everyday experiences Rachel Holt and Chris Wallin succeed in telling a story about potential and loss. That framing encourages reflection rather than confrontation, making the song a touching tribute rather than just a political statement.
Rachel Holt The Voice Behind the Song
Rachel Holt is a young country artist originally from Milan, Indiana, who carries strong traditional and faith-based values. Despite her youth, she has already made a significant impact in music. Holt joined Baste Records, a label that supports artists who value family, faith, and traditional messages. Her willingness to sing I Was Gonna Be demonstrates both courage and commitment to her beliefs.
The song’s producer and writer, Chris Wallin, recognized Holt’s passion and authenticity when he played her the demo. According to Wallin, she immediately offered to sing it, saying that many songs aimed at young women fail to talk about real life. Her honest answer shows why she was a fitting choice she wanted to use her talents to speak truthfully.
Chart Success and Reception
Shortly after its release on June 21, 2024, I Was Gonna Be climbed the charts quickly. It reached the top 5 on iTunes’ country chart within days. contentReference[oaicite0]
On Billboard, Rachel Holt’s performance was also impressive the song ranked #9 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart, reached #20 on overall Digital Song Sales, and hit #21 on the Emerging Artists chart. contentReference[oaicite1]
Its chart performance shows that the message resonated with a wide audience. Despite the sensitive topic, listeners responded positively to its sincere, emotional storytelling. contentReference[oaicite2]
Production and Support
Chris Wallin, the songwriter, has a long career in country music. He has written for big names like Garth Brooks, Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney, and Toby Keith. His decision to write from the perspective of the unborn was intentional he wanted to give a voice to the voiceless. contentReference[oaicite3]
After writing the song, Wallin connected with Baste Records, a Nashville label that exists in part to promote conservative and traditional values in music. Baste Records backed the song’s release, and they also secured sponsorship from Patriot Mobile to help spread its message. contentReference[oaicite4]
The involvement of Patriot Mobile, a wireless company with an explicitly Christian and pro-life orientation, reflects how the song’s message aligns with the values of its supporters. The company’s CEO said that the song aligned perfectly with our beliefs about the sanctity of life. contentReference[oaicite5]
Emotional Impact and Criticism
Because of its subject matter, I Was Gonna Be is emotionally powerful and deeply personal. Many listeners describe it as tear-jerking and hopeful at once. contentReference[oaicite6] It prompts people to think about loss and possibility from a very human angle, using the voice of a child who never got to live.
However, the song also comes with potential controversy. The pro-life message is clear, and songs that touch on abortion are often polarizing. Some may see it as a political or religious statement. Nevertheless, the way it is framed as a story from the unborn child’s viewpoint shifts the tone from protest to reflection, making it more about empathy than activism.
A Song, Not Just a Statement
Rachel Holt’s delivery is gentle but firm, allowing the listener to feel the innocence and sadness in the narrative without making it overly preachy. Her voice and the arrangement make the story feel real, as though this little life had its own dream even if that dream was never realized.
The choice to present the child’s wishes (I was gonna change the world, I was gonna have some pretty curls) highlights ordinary, human desires rather than abstract political points. That simplicity is what gives the song its emotional resonance.
Broader Cultural Significance
In today’s music industry, songs with strong moral or political messages are not always mainstream. I Was Gonna Be represents a growing trend of artists who want to share their values openly through their art. Rachel Holt’s youth, sincerity, and talent make her a fresh voice in country music and in the pro-life conversation.
The song has sparked conversations not just about abortion, but also about identity, purpose, and what it means to value life. For many listeners, it is more than a country single it is an artistic expression of conviction and empathy. For others, it is a call to reflect on deeper social and moral issues.
Rachel Holt’s I Was Gonna Be is a powerful and moving work that uses music to give voice to a perspective rarely heard that of an unborn child. Written by Chris Wallin and released by Baste Records, the song has made waves in country music and charts alike. Beyond its commercial success, the track resonates because of its emotional authenticity, lyrical simplicity, and bold message.
Holt’s performance conveys not just sadness, but dignity, presenting a life imagined rather than lived. The backing she received from Wallin’s songwriting to Patriot Mobile’s sponsorship reflects a shared desire to communicate values through art. While the topic of abortion remains sensitive, I Was Gonna Be chooses a musical and poetic path, aiming to move hearts rather than simply persuade minds. Through its gentle storytelling and heartfelt voice, Rachel Holt has created a compelling song that speaks of hope, human worth, and the voice of the unborn.