To achieve a specific gospel-inspired atmosphere, the song was recorded in New Orleans and features local African-American backup singers. Lyrical Themes & Key Messages
"Preacher" is the 11th track on OneRepublic's 2013 studio album, . It is a deeply personal song written by lead singer Ryan Tedder as a tribute to his late grandfather, who was a preacher. Origin & Songwriting Preacher - OneRepublic
The song began as a musical demo created by band member Brent Kutzle . Ryan Tedder first heard the music while on an airplane; he was immediately struck by it, and the melody and lyrics came to him instantly. To achieve a specific gospel-inspired atmosphere, the song
Tedder wrote the track to honor his grandfather's influence as a guide and an "incredible human being" during his childhood. To achieve a specific gospel-inspired atmosphere