Lyrically, the song stresses the importance of forgiveness.[4] In addition, the bridge of the song addresses the need for confessing one's sins to God.[5] DC Talk member Toby McKeehan, co-writer of the song, said that the lyrics simply describe the way relationships work.[6] McKeehan later elaborated in an interview that the song came from his relationship with fellow band members Michael Tait and Kevin Max.[7]
In contrast to many of the DC Talk's other singles, the Christian message – the importance of forgiveness and confession – is heavily implied, although it is not blatantly stated in terms of any specific religion. The only mention of God is featured during the breakdown of the song, which is absent in the radio edit.[8] This removal of God from the song caused some fans of the band to wonder if the group's record label made a "conscious effort to remove any overt Christian content from the song."[9]
The song is built around acoustic strumming and synthesized drums, courtesy of Scott Williamson.[10][11] The song begins with acoustic strumming in the key of G major.[8][11] The song then moves into the key of E major during the verses. It features a chorus that is in the key of G major; in addition, the chorus is composed of "boyish lead vocals", "sweet harmonies", and "whirling organs".[8][11] During the verses, Michael Tait, Kevin Max, and Toby McKeehan take turns singing lead. The second chorus is followed by a melodic breakdown featuring minimalistic guitar and whispered vocals. The song then repeats the line "It's my way to freedom" and "I've got something to say" until the end.[12]
Music video
The music video for the song features Michael Tait, Kevin Max, and Toby McKeehan performing the song in a laundromat. Interspersed is footage of a man carrying a package while running from two other men. Near the end, he runs into the laundromat where DC Talk are singing and deposits the box in a trash can before leaving. Tait, Max, and McKeehan then reach into the trash can to investigate the contents of the box. Just as the box is opened, the video ends.[13]
The song's video received regular airtime on MTV and VH1.[14] While the video was popular, however, the band found it more and more difficult to get airplay on MTV for what they perceived as a bias against the Christian music scene. McKeehan explained that with "Between You and Me", the group was able to "sneak one past the goalie", but afterwards the DJs realized that "this group's from the Christian market".[15]
The song was released as the second single for Jesus Freak in 1996. Due to its wide appeal, however, the song was extensively played on many non-Christian stations, leading the single to become a major crossover hit. The song's surprising rise on the Billboard's charts was a result of the partnership with Virgin Records. Phil Quartararo, then-CEO of Virgin Records said the song was "identified early in the game as a very radio-friendly cut."[6] In addition to "Jesus Freak" and "Colored People", this song was considered instrumental in breaking DC Talk into the mainstream.[16]
Critically, the song was also a success. Billboard magazine gave the single an extremely positive review and noted that the song and band were helping to shatter the myth that "Christian pop has to be heavy-handed or steeping power-ballad syrup".[11] The magazine also praised the song for "lyrics [that] remain subtle but forthright in the song's positive message".[11] Michael Mehle of the Rocky Mountain News positively noted that the song possessed "Seal-like R&B" qualities.[21]AllMusic awarded the single two-and-a-half stars out of five.[1] The song was successful when it came to the GMA Dove Awards. In 1997, the song won an award for the best Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.[22]
Other releases
Various versions have appeared on several DC Talk official releases, including the band's greatest hits album Intermission.[23] A live version is not included on the 1997 live release Welcome to the Freak Show[24] as it was not played until the last dates of the tour, after the recording had already taken place. The music video, however, was included on the DVD release of the album.[25] "Between You and Me" also appears on the compilation albumWOW 1997[26] and was covered by both Relient K and the team-up of Paul Wright and Ayiesha Woods for the tribute album Freaked![27]
