The discography of Jars of Clay, a multi-stylistic American rock and Christian band from Nashville, Tennessee consists of 12 studio albums, 44 singles, 16 extended plays, two major compilation albums, a part-studio, part-live double-album, a live DVD, and several releases of other types. While Jars of Clay has never released a major, full-length live album strictly speaking, the second disc of the part-studio, part-live double-album, Furthermore (2003), fulfills the same expectation. In addition, the band has released Live Monsters (2007), a live EP of performances from the tour following the release of Good Monsters (2006), and five more EPs of live performances in smaller, more intimate settings.
| Jars of Clay discography | |
|---|---|
 March 2007 Toronto, Canada | |
| Studio albums | 12 |
| EPs | 16 |
| Compilation albums | 2 |
| Singles | 44 |
| Video albums | 1 |
Jars of Clay's self-titled debut album (1995) was released on Essential Records as well as on Essential's parent label, Silvertone. The album hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian albums for a total of 22 weeks in 1996.[1] It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart[2] and stayed on the Billboard 200 for a total of 66 weeks, peaking at No. 46.[1] Its first single, "Flood" reached No. 12 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100[3] and No. 1 one on the CCM Rock chart. The single's performance made Jars of Clay an overnight success in both the mainstream and Christian radio markets. The debut album was certified platinum by RIAA having sold more than 1 million copies just one year following its release. It was certified 2× platinum in 1999.[4] Two other singles from the album also hit No. 1 on the CCM charts, "Love Song for a Savior" and "Liquid". The album was followed by a successful holiday single, "Drummer Boy", from the 1995 EP Drummer Boy, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[2]
Between the debut of their self-titled album and their final project with Essential, Greatest Hits (2008), Jars of Clay would release six more studio albums, two major hits albums and the part-studio, part-live album Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage (2003). All (except the hits albums) would peak on the Billboard Top Christian Albums charts within the top five positions with If I Left the Zoo (1999) and Redemption Songs (2005) each spending one week at No. 1.[5][6] The band's sophomore release, Much Afraid (1997) reached No. 2 on the Top Christian Albums charts,[7] but would become the band's highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, reaching the No. 8 spot.[8] Much Afraid was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2000. If I Left the Zoo and Furthermore were certified gold in 2000 and 2005 respectively.[4] Much Afraid, If I Left the Zoo, and The Eleventh Hour (2002), (their second, third, and fourth albums, respectively), each earned a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.[9]
After their tenure with Essential ended in 2007, Jars of Clay created their own record label, Gray Matters, on which they released five more albums. Christmas Songs (2008) became their first independent release. The Long Fall Back to Earth (2009) followed, reaching No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart[10] and earned the band their eighth Grammy nomination.[9] The Tucker Martine-produced Inland (2013), the band's fourth independent release and eleventh studio album overall, reached No. 2 on the Top Christian Albums charts.[7]
Other notable albums include the Grammy-nominated Who We Are Instead (2003),[9] an intimate exploration of the band's Nashville roots in folk and rural Americana, and Good Monsters (2006), the critically acclaimed release that the band described as their "first ever rock record."[11] Good Monsters was named "Album of the Year" by CCM Magazine in its September 2006 issue,[12] praising it as "the most profound album the Christian music community has released in years."[13] In addition to their Grammys, the band earned three GMA Dove Awards for a best album category for The Eleventh Hour, Good Monsters, and The Long Fall Back to Earth.[14]
Jars of Clay has also released video of most of their live recordings, notably 11Live: Jars of Clay in Concert (2002) on DVD and VHS, and digital video released with the four-volume EP series, Live at Gray Matters (2010–11), among other, more limited releases of live video performances.
Albums
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [8] |
US Christ. [7] |
US Rock [15] |
US Alt. [16] |
US Heat. [2] |
US Hol. [17] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jars of Clay | 46 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Much Afraid |
|
8 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| If I Left the Zoo |
|
44 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| The Eleventh Hour |
|
28 | 3 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Who We Are Instead |
|
103 | 4 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redemption Songs |
|
71 | 1 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Good Monsters |
|
58 | 3 | 20 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Christmas Songs |
|
130 | 7 | — | — | — | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Long Fall Back to Earth |
|
29 | 1 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jars of Clay Presents: The Shelter |
|
78 | 5 | 25 | 13 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inland |
|
70 | 2 | 20 | 11 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 |
|
— | 28 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Part-studio, part-live albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [8] |
US Christ. [7] | |||
| Furthermore: From the Studio, from the Stage |
|
64 | 3 |
|
Compilation albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ. [7] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Essential Jars of Clay |
|
— | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greatest Hits |
|
22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Extended plays
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ. [7] |
US [8] |
US Hol. [17] |
US Cat. [19] |
US Heat. [2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Drummer Boy |
|
5 | 101 | 19 | 32 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roots & Wings EP |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini Monsters EP |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Live Monsters |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Closer EP |
|
44 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Live at Gray Matters, Vol. 1: Songs from The Long Fall Back to Earth |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flood(ed): A Benefit |
|
– | — | – | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Live at Gray Matters, Vol. 2: The Rewind Edition |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Live at Gray Matters, Vol. 3: The Christmas Edition |
|
— | — | — | — | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Live at Gray Matters, Vol. 4: One Mic |
|
— | — | — | — | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| More Christmas Songs EP |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinvent, Remember, Replay |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Under the Weather (Live in Sellersville, PA) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NoiseTrade Eastside Manor Sessions |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Others EP |
|
— | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other albums
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Frail |
|
| Stringtown |
|
| Front Yard Luge |
|
| The White Elephant Sessions |
|
| Jar of Gems |
|
| iTunes Originals – Jars of Clay |
|
| Gather and Build: A Collection |
|
| Daytrotter Presents: Jars of Clay |
|
| Inlandia: The Remix Collection |
|
| A Jars of Clay In-studio Performance of the "Much Afraid" Album |
|
| Live In Manila |
|
Special editions
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Jars of Clay Interactive | |
| Jars of Clay Platinum |
|
| Much Afraid Exclusive Seatbelt Tuba Edition |
|
| Who We Are Instead (Special Edition) |
|
| Christmas Songs USB |
|
| The Long Fall Back to Earth Deluxe Edition (2009) |
|
| Under the Weather with Jars of Clay Deluxe Edition |
|
| The Long Fall Back to Earth Deluxe Edition (2015) |
|
Singles
editMainstream radio
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [21] |
US AAA [22] |
US Alt [23] |
US ATF [24] |
US Main. [25] |
US Pop [26] |
US Radio [27] | |||
| "Flood" | 1996 | 37 | 4 | 12 | 29 | 16 | 20 | 32 | Jars of Clay |
| "Crazy Times" | 1997 | — | — | 38 | — | — | — | — | Much Afraid |
| "Unforgetful You" | 2000 | — | — | — | 40 | — | — | — | If I Left the Zoo |
| "Fly" | 2002 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Eleventh Hour |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart. | |||||||||
Christian radio
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard[F] | CCM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hot Christ. [28] |
Christ. AC [29] |
CHR [30] |
AC | Rock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Flood" | 1995 | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | Jars of Clay | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Love Song for a Savior" | — | — | 1 | 19 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Like a Child" | — | — | 2 | 29 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Liquid" | 1996 | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Worlds Apart" | — | — | — | 13 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Blind" | — | — | 3 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Crazy Times" | 1997 | — | — | 1 | 35 | 2 | Much Afraid | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Five Candles (You Were There)" | 1998 | — | — | 1 | 17 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Truce" | — | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Fade to Grey" | — | — | 1 | 37 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Overjoyed" | — | — | 1 | 32 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Needful Hands" | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | Exodus | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Everything in Between" | 1999 | — | — | 4 | — | 13 | The Prince of Egypt: Inspirational Soundtrack | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Unforgetful You" | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | If I Left the Zoo | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Hand" | — | — | — | 9 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Collide" | 2000 | — | — | 1 | — | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No One Loves Me Like You" | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'm Alright" | — | — | 2 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Can't Erase It" | 2001 | — | — | 6 | — | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The Stone" | — | — | — | — | — | City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "This Road" | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I Need You" | — | — | 1 | — | 8 | The Eleventh Hour | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Fly" | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Revolution" | 2002 | — | — | 3 | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Whatever She Wants" | — | — | — | — | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy)" | 10 | 14 | 29 | 8 | — | Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Show You Love" | 2003 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 5 | — | Who We Are Instead | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sunny Days" | 2004 | 29 | 30 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "God Will Lift Up Your Head" | 2005 | 11 | 17 | — | — | — | Redemption Songs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'll Fly Away" | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Waiting for the World to Fall" | — | — | — | — | — | Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Dead Man (Carry Me)" | 2006 | 14 | 20 | — | — | — | Good Monsters | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Work" | 27 | — | 4 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "There Is a River" | 2007 | 22 | 17 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Love Came Down at Christmas" | 12 | 13 | — | — | — | Christmas Songs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Wonderful Christmastime" | 23 | 17 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Closer" | 2008 | — | — | — | — | — | Closer EP | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Two Hands" | 2009 | 6 | 8 | 18 | — | — | The Long Fall Back to Earth | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Heaven" | — | — | 14 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Out of My Hands" (featuring Mike Donehey) |
2010 | 27 | 27 | — | — | — | The Shelter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Shelter" (featuring Brandon Heath) |
2011 | 32 | — | 29 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" | 41 | — | — | — | — | non-album single | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "After the Fight" | 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | Inland | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Inland" | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions
edit| Song | Year | Album | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows" | 1996 | Never Say Dinosaur | Cover of Petra song by the same name for tribute album |
| "The Chair" | 1996 | The Long Kiss Goodnight Soundtrack | Originally intended to cover David Bowie's "Heroes", but abandoned the recording sessions and instead wrote their own song |
| "Needful Hands" | 1998 | Exodus | Acoustic version of the song appears on Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage |
| "Everything in Between" | 1998 | The Prince of Egypt: Inspirational Soundtrack | |
| "If I Stand" | 1998 | Awesome God: A Tribute to Rich Mullins | Cover of Rich Mullins song by the same name |
| "Wicker Baskets" | 1999 | Sounds of Wood & Steel 2 | Instrumental track; also included on the 1997 Silvertone release of Drummer Boy |
| "Headstrong" | 2000 | Roaring Lambs | Outtake from the If I Left the Zoo recording sessions; the original demo version of this song can be found on The White Elephant Sessions |
| "The Stone" | 2000 | City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise | |
| "This Road" | 2000 | City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise | |
| "The Comforter Has Come" | 2001 | Re:Newal – The Art of Community | A different version was later released on City on a Hill: Sing Alleluia |
| "Bethlehem Town" | 2002 | City on a Hill: It's Christmas Time | One of the songs that the band recorded for their then-shelved Christmas album |
| "The Widowing Field" | 2002 | We Were Soldiers Soundtrack | Now available on "The Essential - Jars of Clay" |
| "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" | 2003 | City on a Hill: The Gathering | |
| "Jesse's Song" | 2003 | Sounds of Wood & Steel 3 | Instrumental track |
| "Be Thou My Vision" | 2003 | WOW Worship: Yellow | |
| "All I Want Is You" | 2004 | In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa | Cover of U2 song by the same name |
| "I'll Fly Away" | 2004 | WOW Worship: Red | Different recording than the version that appears on Redemption Songs |
| "Christmas for Cowboys" | 2004 | Maybe This Christmas Tree | Cover of John Denver song by the same name |
| "Please Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas)" | 2005 | Reel to Reel V.2.9 The Holidays (promo only) | Cover of John Denver song by the same name. This song has never been commercially available. |
| "Waiting for the World to Fall" | 2005 | Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe | |
| "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" | 2005 | Come, Let Us Adore Him | |
| "Drive" | 2006 | Reel to Reel V.3.5 Nettwerk Covers (promo only) | Cover of The Cars song by the same name. This song has never been commercially available. |
| "I Love My Triangle" | 2007 | Come On Over! Volume 2 | Children's music |
| "When You're with the Band" | 2007 | Come On Over! Volume 2 | Children's music |
| "Body and Wine" | 2010 | Artists United for International Justice Mission - Freedom | B-side from Good Monsters |
| "Run" | 2013 | Come Back Home | From a multi-artist release to benefit Courage House |
| "Land of My Sojourn" | 2014 | Ragamuffin: Music Inspired by the Motion Picture | Rich Mullins cover |
| "Broken Places" | 2022 | There's a Rainbow Somewhere | Randy Stonehill tribute – crowdfunded album |
DVDs
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| 11Live: Jars of Clay in Concert |
|
Collaborations
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [8] |
US Christ. [7] |
US Holiday [17] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A Family Christmas (with SHEL) |
|
— | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References
edit- Notes
- ^ Prior to its retail release, another version of Live Monsters was available only at shows and has a different track listing.
- ^ Three of Jars of Clay's EPs did not have retail releases, but where given limited releases online for benefit causes. Flood(ed) was released to benefit those affected by flooding in Nashville (May 1–2, 2010).
- ^ Three of Jars of Clay's EPs did not have retail releases, but where given limited releases online for benefit causes. The Eastside Manor Sessions were released on NoiseTrade, a direct-to-fan distribution platform created to help benefit recording artists.
- ^ Three of Jars of Clay's EPs did not have retail releases, but where given limited releases online for benefit causes. The Others EP was released for the Rallysong campaign to benefit the Blood: Water Mission.
- ^ The LP is shared with another Daytrotter Session from the band Superdrag, under the title Daytrotter Presents No. 25. Rather than the seven tracks featured on the digital mini-album, the A-side features four tracks from Jars of Clay while the B-side features four tracks from Superdrag.
- ^ Billboard introduced the Hot Christian Songs and Christian Adult Contemporary charts in 2003. Thus, it did not collect Christian Airplay data before that date.
- Footnotes
- ^ a b "Billboard Charts: Top Christian Albums Charts (14 Sept 1996)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Jars of Clay Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ AllMusic.com's Summary of Jars of Clay's Billboard radio singles
- ^ a b c d e f "American album certifications – Jars of Clay". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Top Christian Albums Charts (27 Nov 1999)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Top Christian Albums Charts (9 Apr 2005)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Jars of Clay Chart History (Top Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Jars of Clay Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Grammy Award Results for Jars of Clay". Grammy Awards. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Top Christian Albums Charts (9 May 2009)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Jars of Clay: Then & Now". CCMClassic.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "Jars of Clay Pours Itself into Music, Releases 'Monsters'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Jars of Clay's Good Monsters 'Album of the Year' By CCM Magazine". Jarchives.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Dove Winners (1969-2019)". GMA Dove Awards. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "Jars of Clay Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ "Jars of Clay Chart History (Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Jars of Clay Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Jars of Clay – Jars of Clay". Music Canada. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ "Jars of Clay (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Jars Of Clay, "Gather and Build: A Collection" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Triple A Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Adult Top 40". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Mainstream Top 40 Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Radio Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Hot Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Charts: Christian Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ Powell, Mark Allen (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson Publishers. p. 446. ISBN 1565636791.