David Bloom’s journey to gospel music stardom is as inspiring as the song that catapulted him into the limelight, “You Deserve It.” This powerful Gospel Song, honored as Stellar Awards Song of the Year and a Grammy nominee for Best Gospel Performance/Song, wasn’t crafted in a boardroom or a studio, but in a moment of personal reflection and prayer. Co-authored with Bishop Cortez Vaughn, Demond Reed, and JJ Hairston, “You Deserve It” resonated deeply within the gospel community and beyond. In an interview with the Journal of Gospel Music, Bloom shared the intimate origins of this now-iconic gospel song.
Bloom’s connection to gospel music began in childhood. Born into a pastor’s family, his earliest memories are intertwined with the church. “As soon as I was born and we left the hospital, we went straight to church!” he recalls. Music was a family affair; his mother, a praise and worship singer, and his brother, a musician, singer, and writer, filled his young life with melody and rhythm. Witnessing their musical expressions ignited a spark in Bloom, leading him to songwriting at a young age.
At just twelve years old, Bloom penned his first song, “The Well.” While he experimented with pop and R&B, he recognized his true calling lay in creating gospel songs. Before “You Deserve It,” tracks like “Beautiful” and “Yahweh” gained popularity within his local community in Fayetteville, North Carolina, hinting at his burgeoning talent in the realm of gospel music. However, it was “You Deserve It” that would transcend local recognition and achieve global impact.
The genesis of “You Deserve It” is a testament to the power of faith and spontaneous creation. Bloom explains, “I didn’t necessarily write ‘You Deserve It’ for an artist to record or for a particular placement in the gospel music industry.” Instead, the gospel song emerged from a personal struggle. During a difficult period in his life, Bloom sought solace at the piano, using music as a form of prayer. In this vulnerable space, “You Deserve It” was born. Remarkably, the entire gospel song flowed out in just about five minutes.
Introducing the song to his praise team at Kingdom Impact Global Ministries the very next day, and then to his congregation on Sunday, Bloom witnessed firsthand the immediate connection people had with “You Deserve It.” It quickly became a staple in their Sunday services, its simple yet profound message resonating deeply.
The gospel song’s journey expanded when Bishop Cortez Vaughn visited Bloom’s church for a conference. Captivated by “You Deserve It,” Bishop Vaughn requested to share it with his community in Kansas. Later, JJ Hairston encountered the song at a concert hosted by Bishop Cortez. The organic spread of “You Deserve It” highlights the power of word-of-mouth and the song’s inherent ability to touch hearts.
As “You Deserve It” traveled, it evolved. Bishop Cortez Vaughn and Demond Reed developed their own interpretations, adapting it to different audiences and cities. JJ Hairston infused his signature style, ultimately shaping the gospel song into the award-winning version known today. This collaborative evolution underscores the communal nature of gospel music and how a song can grow and transform through shared artistry.
Months before recording, JJ Hairston approached Bloom about including “You Deserve It” on his album. For Bloom, this was a dream realized. “All my life, I’ve wanted to be a writer,” he confessed, “I never wanted to be an artist or a singer. I just wanted to write songs that the world could respond to, and respond to God to.” Hearing the final recorded version for the first time moved him to tears, marking a pivotal moment in his songwriting journey and validating his lifelong aspiration to create impactful gospel songs.
The accolades that followed were overwhelming. The Grammy nomination was a shock, leaving Bloom “at a loss for words.” When “You Deserve It” was crowned Song of the Year at the Stellar Awards, the magnitude of its success truly hit him. He describes a powerful “flashback of seeing the entire journey,” recognizing that his past struggles had paved the way for this extraordinary moment. The recognition affirmed the purpose behind his journey and the profound impact of his gospel song.
While Bloom recognized the local popularity of “You Deserve It,” its global reach surpassed his wildest dreams. The gospel song topped the Billboard charts, garnered over 54 million views on YouTube, and received accolades across the gospel music industry. It transcended geographical and linguistic barriers, being sung in various languages and countries. This widespread embrace is a testament to the universal themes of gratitude and worship embedded within the gospel song.
Perhaps the most touching testament to the power of “You Deserve It” comes from a personal anecdote. A woman shared with Bloom how she played his gospel song daily for her father, who was battling cancer. She believed the song contributed to his healing, and he is now, remarkably, cancer-free. This story exemplifies the profound impact gospel music can have, offering hope, healing, and spiritual upliftment to those in need. David Bloom’s “You Deserve It” is more than just an award-winning song; it’s a testament to faith, the power of gospel music, and the incredible journey a simple prayer set to melody can take.
