BarlowGirl
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Elgin, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Christian rock and Contemporary Christian Music albums and singles |
BarlowGirl was a Christian rock and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) all-female group originating from Elgin, Illinois. The band was composed of three sisters: Alyssa (lead vocals, bass, keyboards), Lauren (co-lead vocals, drums), and Rebecca (guitar, backing vocals) Barlow. They rose to prominence with radio hits such as "Never Alone" (2004) and "I Need You to Love Me" (2006), with the former setting a record for the longest duration at No. 1 on the Radio and Records Christian Hit Radio chart and accumulating millions of views on YouTube. Their album Home for Christmas also achieved significant acclaim.
By late 2008, BarlowGirl had surpassed one million in CD sales and concluded their career having sold over 1.3 million CDs alongside more than one million digital song downloads. The band publicly announced their disbandment in October 2012.
Formative Period
The Barlow sisters’ father, Vince Barlow, produced youth-oriented CDs at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, and toured with his daughters serving as his backup musicians during the late 1990s. During these tours, the sisters began composing music and performing together; however, they ceased extensive touring once Rebecca and Alyssa enrolled in college, though they continued performing locally. By 2002, they had crafted approximately ten original songs.
In mid-2002, the trio participated in the Gospel Music Association’s Music in the Rockies seminar in Colorado without initially realizing it was a competitive platform for unsigned artists. Advancing to the finals attracted attention from record labels. Their early prominence was further boosted when fellow Christian band Superchick honored their commitment to purity with the song "Barlow Girls" on their debut album, effectively introducing them to the Christian music audience.
On October 14, 2003, they signed with Fervent Records and adopted the camel case styling of their name as BarlowGirl for branding purposes.
Debut Album BarlowGirl and Breakthrough with "Never Alone" (2004)
Their first studio album, BarlowGirl, was released on February 24, 2004. It featured "Never Alone," which became the longest-charting No. 1 track on R&R’s CHR and CRW Rock charts during that year and earned Song of the Year accolades. By April 2005, sales of the album had exceeded 250,000 copies and it produced two No. 1 singles: "Never Alone" and "Mirror." These achievements garnered four nominations at the 2005 Gospel Music Association Awards—including Best New Artist, Best Rock Song, and Rock Album—establishing BarlowGirl as the top-selling new Christian artist of 2004. Additionally, "Mirror" received a GMA nomination for Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year in 2006. The track "Never Alone" was also featured on the popular WOW Hits 2005 compilation.
The album contained a concealed track titled "Image," which could be accessed via digital download from a hidden website when the CD was played on a computer. This song showcased lead vocals by eldest sister Rebecca—a rare example within their discography.
A special edition available exclusively through Family Christian Stores included an additional bonus track called "We Pray," featuring collaborations with Mandisa, Jackson Waters, and Rebecca St. James.
Another Journal Entry and "I Need You to Love Me" (2005–2006)
The group's sophomore album, Another Journal Entry, was launched on September 27, 2005. It entered Soundscan's Christian album chart at position No. 3 and by October 10, 2005, had climbed to No. 85 on Billboard's Top 200 Current Albums list. In 2006, the trio received three nominations from the GMA Awards: "Group of the Year," "Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year," and "Rock Recorded Song of the Year" for the track "Let Go."
They contributed guest vocals to Big Daddy Weave's chart-topping radio single "You're Worthy of My Praise," featured on his 2005 album What I Was Made For.
The lead single "Let Go" achieved over 200,000 downloads as the iTunes Store free single of the week. Its successor, "I Need You to Love Me", secured the No. 1 spot on the Weekend 22 countdown in April 2006 and maintained that ranking for nine weeks on the R&R Christian Hit Radio chart as well as a record-setting 13 weeks on the CRW chart. It was recognized as the most frequently played song during 2006 on Christian Hit Radio according to Weekend 22. Although a music video was created for "Never Alone" aimed at mainstream radio and television outlets, it failed to chart outside Christian music venues.
In 2007, BarlowGirl acted as youth ambassadors for the National Day of Prayer, recording the song "We Pray" alongside artists such as Rebecca St. James. This track appeared on a Family Christian exclusive edition of their self-titled debut album.
August 2006 saw the release of Another Journal Entry: Expanded Edition, which included five additional tracks—comprising acoustic renditions and a new composition titled "For the Beauty of the Earth", featured on the soundtrack for The Nativity Story. The enhanced CD also contained the "Never Alone" music video.
How Can We Be Silent and Home for Christmas (2007–2008)
Their third studio effort, How Can We Be Silent, produced once more by Otto Price, was unveiled on July 24, 2007. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Chart and reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200, marking them as the first all-female rock band since The Bangles in 1989 to enter Billboard’s top 40. A special edition released simultaneously featured updated cover art and a 45-minute DVD. Singles such as "Here's My Life" attained a peak position of No. 12 on R&R’s Christian contemporary hit radio charts; however, overall singles did not perform as strongly compared to previous releases.
By 2008, BarlowGirl had surpassed one million CD sales. Early that year, they recorded a holiday album; Home for Christmas, which was released on September 26. It peaked at No. 180 on the Billboard 200, No. 15 on Christian Albums, and reached No. 2 on Holiday Albums charts. The song "Carol of the Bells/Sing We Now of Christmas" became one of iTunes’ top-20 downloaded Christmas tracks.
Inhabited referenced BarlowGirl in an "uncensored" remix of their single "Hush" in April 2008, generating debate within Christian music communities due to contrasting lyrical styles. Inhabited clarified their intention was not to criticize but rather to highlight artistic differences.
That same year, BarlowGirl partnered with Dannah Gresh from Secret Keeper Girl to produce an audio devotional titled 8 Great Dates for You and Your Daughter, Kit 2: Friendship Pak. This devotional was re-released in 2013 under the name 8 Great Dates: Talking with Your Daughter About Best Friends and Mean Girls.
Love & War and Our Journey... So Far (2009–2011)
BarlowGirl's most recent studio album, Love & War, debuted on September 8, 2009. The album’s leading single, "Beautiful Ending," climbed to No. 28 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart by November 2009 and achieved the No. 3 spot on Christian contemporary hit radio. Early in 2010, the band released the second single, "Stay With Me."
On September 14, 2010, the group unveiled Our Journey... So Far, a compilation album that included selections from their earlier records alongside a FredTown Manilla remix of their popular track "I Need You to Love Me."
Band retirement and "Hope Will Lead Us On" (2012)
While new recordings were initially planned for 2011, the song "Hope Will Lead Us On" was ultimately recorded in 2012. Between August 27 and 29 of that year, Alyssa Barlow posted studio photos on Instagram revealing Lauren on drums, Alyssa playing piano, and Rebecca handling guitar duties. On October 24, 2012, BarlowGirl announced their decision to retire as a band without specifying any future endeavors. Their last public engagement took place on October 29 with an online live chat and acoustic session during which they debuted "Hope Will Lead Us On."
Musical style
BarlowGirl established themselves as a Christian rock ensemble characterized by three-part vocal harmonies intertwined with rock-oriented guitar sounds. Their repertoire spanned from soft ballads to energetic guitar-driven rock numbers.
Originally, the group functioned as a power trio, featuring Rebecca on guitar, Alyssa on bass, and Lauren on drums. However, during the Love & War period, Alyssa transitioned to primarily providing vocals and keyboards, altering the traditional power trio format.
The band drew inspiration from music of the 1950s and 1960s, especially the Beatles and the Mamas & the Papas, influencing their vocal arrangements. Their debut song "You Know" took cues from Hanson’s "MMMBop". The track "Our Worlds Collide" from the Love & War album reflects Beatles-inspired elements, which were also evident in live shows through transitions into "If I Fell". During their final online performance in 2012, BarlowGirl delivered an a cappella rendition of "I Will" by the Beatles—an important piece as it was their first harmonizing experience.
Legacy
Musicians like Jamie Grace have acknowledged BarlowGirl and their self-titled debut album as key influences, citing tracks such as "She Walked Away," "Mirror," "Clothes," and "Never Alone". Additionally, Jen Ledger from Skillet has publicly expressed her respect for BarlowGirl.
Alyssa Barlow
Alyssa Katherine Nicole Barlow (born January 4, 1982) served as BarlowGirl’s bass player and keyboardist while sharing lead vocal responsibilities with her sister Lauren. She was homeschooled beginning in fourth grade.
At age 17, Alyssa was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) following an ankle sprain. Initially informed she might never regain normal mobility, she later reported a full recovery which she attributed to her faith.
In July 2012, Alyssa began posting behind-the-scenes glimpses of the "Hope Will Lead Us On" recording sessions via Instagram. By December 2017, her follower count had grown to approximately 7,000.
Lauren Barlow
Lauren Ashley Nicole Barlow (born July 29, 1985) played drums for BarlowGirl and shared lead vocal duties alongside her sister Alyssa. As the youngest sibling, Lauren—also known by the nicknames Lo-Lo and Odie—was educated at home starting from first grade.
She took on the role of general editor for the 2011 publication Inspired by Tozer, which features approximately 60 Christian personalities influenced by author A.W. Tozer.
Rebecca Barlow
Rebecca "Becca" Barlow (born November 24, 1979) provided background vocals and played electric guitar as well as both 6-string and 12-string acoustic guitars. She was homeschooled beginning in seventh grade.
In her last performance with the band, she favored a 1957 Gibson Les Paul "Black Beauty" model equipped with gold-plated Bigsby pickups and bridge.
Becca battled an eating disorder that emerged around age 18, crediting her faith for recovery after reaching emotional exhaustion. Following this experience, she committed herself to a life dedicated to serving God.
Recognized as the most reserved among the sisters, Becca seldom took lead vocal roles and maintains a lower profile on social media compared to her siblings, having gained about 4,000 Instagram followers by December 2017.
Purity
BarlowGirl was widely known for promoting messages of sexual purity, modesty, and abstaining from dating. On June 3, 2003, they stated, "We believe that God has one perfect man already chosen for us; therefore we have no need to worry ourselves in searching for him. When the time is right, we know God will bring us together. In the meantime, we are still living our lives, just without the pressure of having to have a boyfriend." Their 2004 track "Average Girl" drew a parallel to Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, portraying a state of resting in God's timing until He brings a prince. The sisters also identified with Disney Princesses: Lauren with Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Alyssa with Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
Starting in 2006, the Barlows alternated between rejecting "the recreational dating scene" and all dating altogether. Their Secret Keeper Girl series criticized casual dating practices and suggested alternatives to being "boy crazy," endorsing materials such as Joshua Harris's I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which advocates courtship instead of dating. Harris partially withdrew these views in 2016. Later that year, a member of BarlowGirl's staff confirmed that the purity teachings once promoted by the sisters "do not reflect band members' current perspectives."
Rebecca Barlow entered into marriage on September 19, 2020; the wedding announcement was made public on September 26, 2020.
Politics
In a 2004 interview with The Washington Post regarding the 2004 United States presidential election, BarlowGirl voiced support for the Bush family. On December 15, 2008, they commended Bush's anti-abortion stance and prayed that then-president-elect Barack Obama would reconsider his position. In 2009, BarlowGirl licensed their rendition of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" for inclusion in Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special, which featured an interview with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. On November 10, 2016, they endorsed Hillary Clinton's campaign slogan "Love Trumps Hate." During Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2017, Alyssa Barlow publicly expressed appreciation for Barack Obama's presidency. The band traveled to Jerusalem in May 2018.
Ministry collaborations
Between 2006 and their eventual disbandment, BarlowGirl maintained a partnership with Mercy Ministries, an organization dedicated to assisting women. Although Mercy Ministries faced some disputes in the United States and Australia, the alliance persisted. This connection led Lauren Barlow to acknowledge Mercy’s founder, Nancy Alcorn, as one of the contributors to her book Inspired by Tozer.
Additional ministry affiliations included work with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and its affiliated Samaritan's Purse initiative, Operation Christmas Child, as well as the International Justice Mission. The band also collaborated with ministries led by Joshua Harris and Joyce Meyer.
Pro-life advocacy
Following the release of How Can We Be Silent, BarlowGirl initiated the Never Silence Life campaign in 2009 to express their pro-life beliefs and support the protection of unborn children.
Scriptural themes
- (2003–2007)
- (2007–2012)
Awards
GMA Dove Awards
| Year | Award | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | New Artist of the Year | Template:Nom |
| Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Never Alone") | Template:Nom | |
| Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Mirror") | Template:Nom | |
| Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (BarlowGirl) | Template:Nom | |
| 2006 | Group of the Year | Template:Nom |
| Rock Recorded Song of the Year ("Let Go") | Template:Nom | |
| Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Mirror") | Template:Nom | |
| Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Another Journal Entry) | Template:Nom | |
| 2007 | Group of the Year | Template:Nom |
| 2008 | Rock Recorded Song of the Year ("Million Voices") | Template:Nom |
| Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (How Can We Be Silent) | Template:Nom | |
| 2009 | Christmas Album of the Year (Home for Christmas) | Template:Nom |
| 2010 | Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Love & War) | Template:Nom |
| Short Form Music Video of the Year ("Beautiful Ending") | Template:Nom |
Albums
- BarlowGirl (2004)
- Another Journal Entry (2005)
- How Can We Be Silent (2007)
- Home for Christmas (2008)
- Love & War (2009)
Published works
| Title | Publication details | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| BarlowGirl: More Than Music |
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| (Our Journey… In Pictures) |
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| Inspired by Tozer: 59 Artists, Writers and Leaders Share the Insight and Passion They've Gained from A.W. Tozer |
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Tours
- 2006: Don't Conform Tour
- 2008: Million Voices Tour
- 2009: BarlowGirl and Superchick joint live tour
- 2010: Love & War album tour
See also
- List of all-female bands
External links
- Archived promotional site for BarlowGirl's "Hope Will Lead Us On"
- Official YouTube channel for BarlowGirl
- BarlowGirl profile on Christian Broadcasting Network