I Believe Lyrics – Book of Mormon, The

Song Overview

A cast recording of the original Broadway production was released on May 17, 2011, by Ghostlight Records.

During its first week on the iTunes Store, the album became the fastest-selling Broadway cast recording in iTunes history, peaking at No. 2 on the Top 10 Chart, and after the 2011 Tony Awards it shot up to No. 3 on the Billboard 200—making it the highest-charting Broadway cast album in over forty years.

Personal Review

From the first triumphant chord, “I Believe” by the Original Broadway Cast of The Book of Mormon grabs you with its witty blend of rock-tinged show tune and tongue-in-cheek sermon; the lyrics crackle with the thrill of tested faith, and you can’t help but cheer when Elder Price trades doubt for full-throttle conviction.

Song Meaning and Annotations

“I Believe” marries Broadway bombast with pop-rock drive, setting Elder Price’s spiritual pep talk against a backdrop of brassy horns and pulsing percussion. It’s part show-stopping tour de force, part playful parody—the kind of number that gives you goosebumps one moment and a grin the next.

It borrows its initial melody and nerve from “I Have Confidence” in The Sound of Music, recasting Maria’s nervous courage as Price’s weapon against fear in a Ugandan warzone.

Ever since I was a child, I tried to be the best
So what happened?

As the verses unfold, Price lists classic tenets of his faith—creation, atonement—before piling on the unbelievable: ancient Jews crossing oceans, personal planets in the sky, and direct hotline to the prophet in Salt Lake City. Each declaration hits harder, propelled by the ensemble’s off-beat “ah-ah-ah” response that lands like a punchline.

I believe that the Lord God created the universe

The emotional arc is playful at first, then defiantly earnest: you start in his shoes—uncertain, even scared of a warlord—and end up buoyed by over-the-top zeal. It’s satire walking hand in hand with genuine showmanship.

Behind the scenes, the song was crafted by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez to shine a light on blind faith with a wink; producer Stephen Oremus’s orchestration layers woodwinds and brass to drive that rhythmic pulse, while Andrew Rannells’s clear tenor cuts through every rapid-fire list.

Verse Highlights

Verse 1

The opening verse lets us in on Price’s self-doubt—he’s a go-getter derailed by the reality of violence, and that tension draws us right into his head.

Chorus

I believe that the Lord God created the universe
I believe that he sent his only son to die for my sins

When the music swells into the chorus, you feel the shift from uncertainty to unshakable conviction; each belief is a stepping-stone toward the final, hilarious payoff.

Song Credits

• Featured: Original Broadway Cast of The Book of Mormon (Andrew Rannells)
• Producers: Anne Garefino, Stephen Oremus, Scott Rudin, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Kurt Deutsch
• Writers: Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Robert Lopez
• Orchestration: Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus
• Musical Director: Stephen Oremus
• Release Date: May 17, 2011
• Genre: Musical Theater, Comedy
• Instruments: Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Keyboard, Violin, Guitar, Bass
• Label: Ghostlight Records
• Mood: Uplifting, Satirical
• Length: 3:45
• Track #: 12
• Language: English
• Album: The Book of Mormon (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
• Music Style: Showtune, Pop-Rock
• Poetic Meter: Iambic with trochaic flourishes
• Copyright: © 2011 Ghostlight Records
• Phonographic Copyright: ? 2011 Ghostlight Records

Songs Exploring Themes of Belief

While “I Believe” rides a wave of comedic certainty, several other musical theater anthems trace the journey from doubt to determination.

I Have Confidence from The Sound of Music finds Maria psyching herself up for the unknown; just as Elder Price arms himself with tenets, Maria arms her heart with self-belief—same thrust, gentler mood but a comparable sense of “fear be gone.”

Meanwhile, Bring Him Home in Les Misérables turns prayer into a lifeline—Jean Valjean’s hope in divine mercy resonates with Price’s reliance on heavenly backup, though one is hushed and pleading, the other bold and declarative.

In contrast, Defying Gravity from Wicked is pure, soaring defiance; Elphaba flings off expectations with a roar, akin to Price’s comedic refusal to let fear win, yet drenched in epic drama rather than satire.

Questions and Answers

Who produced “I Believe”?

Anne Garefino, Stephen Oremus, Scott Rudin, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Kurt Deutsch produced this track.

When was “I Believe” released?

It premiered on the cast album on May 17, 2011.

Who wrote “I Believe”?

The songwriters are Matt Stone, Trey Parker and Robert Lopez.

What moment does “I Believe” capture in the show?

Elder Price reaffirms his faith moments before facing a warlord in Uganda, shifting from fear to full-throttle conviction.

Which song inspired the style of “I Believe”?

It parodies “I Have Confidence” from The Sound of Music, echoing its melody and theme of self-encouragement.

Awards and Chart Positions

The Book of Mormon won nine Tony Awards in 2011, including Best Musical.

Actor Andrew Rannells and co-star Josh Gad were both nominated for Best Actor in a Musical that year.

The original cast recording was named the strongest-selling album of its kind since Nielsen SoundScan began in 1991.

It also won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2012.

How to Sing?

“I Believe” suits a lyric tenor or high baritone, spanning roughly G3 to G5 and demanding both warmth and clarity across its leaps.

Singers must nail rapid-fire lyrics with crisp diction—there’s little room for muddled words when each creed comes in quick succession.

Plan breaths before long belief-lists so no gasp steals the punchline; steady support and diaphragmatic control keep the phrases clean.

The tempo sits at an energized allegro (around 120–130 BPM), so pairing stamina with forward vocal placement ensures the energy never flags.