23-07-2025
Marvin Winans' ‘Forgiveness,' From Justin Bieber's ‘SWAG,' Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs Chart
Marvin Winans, of the legendary Winans family, launches at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart (dated July 26) with 'Forgiveness.' The song is the last track on Justin Bieber's new LP, SWAG, which opens at No. 1 on the Top Streaming Albums chart, as well as Top R&B Albums, and No. 2 on the Billboard 200. (Of the set's 21 cuts, the other 20 are by Bieber, eight with co-billed guests.)
SWAG starts with 163,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States July 11-17, according to Luminate. 'Forgiveness' (at a tidy 1:30 in run time) drew 3.8 million official U.S. streams in that span and concurrently tops Gospel Streaming Songs.
More from Billboard
Justin Bieber's New Album Is First of More to Come: Everything We Know
Ciara Talks 'CiCi' Album & Why She Shouldn't Make Music With Russell Wilson ('Dad Is Crazy!') in Chat With 8-Year-Old Daughter
Bad Bunny Gets Adam Sandler's Stamp of Approval as 'Funnier Than Me' in 'Late Night' Chat About 'Happy Gilmore 2'
'Forgiveness' was written as a worship song by Rick Founds. It was initially titled 'Let My People Go' and is from the Winans' LP by that name, which led Top Gospel Albums for a week in 1986. They've since added three more leaders on the chart, through 1999.
'Forgiveness' becomes Winans' second No. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs (which began in 2005), and his first as a lead act. He topped the list the first time as featured on Andrae Crouch's 'Amen,' for four frames starting in April 2012.
As 'Forgiveness' enters Hot Christian Songs at No. 3, it becomes the Detroit native's first top 10, in his initial appearance on the chart.
Winans is one of the founding members of the Winans, along with his brothers Carvin, Michael and Ronald. The group released its first album, Introducing the Winans, in 1981. The siblings are among 10 born to Delores and David, also known as 'Mom' and 'Pop' Winans.
Best of Billboard
Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1
Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts
Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
Solve the daily Crossword
