I’m not a big follower of contemporary Christian music. I am not one who listens to the Christian music stations, or searches out that genre. (I did post a little about this topic once a few years ago – link here.)
My lack of interest in Contemporary Christian music is not due to any sort of prejudice because I am a Mormon. And don’t even start down the path that Mormons aren’t Christians anyway. For the record, I don’t buy or listen to very much LDS music either. (And I don’t really care for the MoTab except during Conference.)
Do I sense a Mormon Lynch Mob forming?
Just because I am not aware of the talented Christian musicians out there, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. But my familiarity with them, outside of the Deseret Book Musical Kingdom, is limited.
My personal ignorance sent me on a journey of discovery. Here are a couple of things that I found that I share with you, out of the goodness of my heart. (Do yourself a favor, and watch them all the way through. Endure to the end – or at least 2 minutes in – and great will be your reward.)
I also found a picture of this album, but I have not heard it. I will make it my life’s work to find an actual recording of it for you.
I’m sure there are more out there, but for now, this ought hold you.
—-
I can’t leave you with that in good conscience – so here is some serious talent. It isn’t inspirational. but it is loads of fun – and it is about church. Lyle Lovett: “Church”
Also, as you might already know, two of my very favorite bands in the known universe are very Christian, but not quite so overtly. U2 and Switchfoot. For the most part, they play good old rock n’ roll, but as you listen to the lyrics, there is often religious topics involved. Love them both. Seen both groups in concert multiple times.
Examples: U2’s “40” based on Psalm 40. & Jon Foreman (of Switchfoot) “Your Love is Strong,” based on the Lord’s Prayer.
Reward? Nooo…. Why???? Will I ever be able to unsee what I just saw……?????
Please don’t EVER do that again!! ;p (but.. really)
Wow.
There’s actually something weirdly compelling about that second one… not that I’d want to add it to my library or anything, but I will admit I listened to it twice.
I’m not a big CCM fan, myself… there’s just something off about it for me. I like pop and rock that has a mild Christian slant to it — some of Amy Grant’s work, songs like Triumph’s “Fight the Good Fight,” Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Crossfire,” some of Kansas’ work after Livgren converted, etc. (And dare I admit it? Even some of the songs from the Osmonds’ “The Plan” album…) But if it gets too overt in talking about God or Jesus, something about the style and the content just clash in my head and I can’t quite enjoy it.
And I definitely draw the line somewhere before singing ventriloquists’ dummies.
BYU vocal point, I enjoy a lot of their music.
I have always been quite selective on this music. The Lyle Lovett piece was great. There are times I stumble across some good items ….. You may want to try this offering by Union Station/Allison Krauss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSif77IVQdY
It took me a little bit to realize the video was a joke. After hearing my young daughter sing along to lyrics on the radio and actually understanding the words, we decided no more radio for us. the music we listen to now is bought at Deseret Book or carefully screened from iTunes. Satan’s messages wrapped in catchy tunes with profanity can be avoided if we try hard enough. I can’t believe I am that Mom, but yeah, my girls fill their heads with uplifting music and messages. (Ages 12, 9, and 3)
In response to your cry for help in finding good Christian music, here’s a few favorites (you’re welcome):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C53GgUJ6y-Y&list=RDC53GgUJ6y-Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWXNm9b6pKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTRSDxEjYeU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuvfMDhTyMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QvX4CwSmwY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg
Disclaimer: I’m a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I can’t vouch as to whether the lyrics are in harmony with LDS doctrine. 🙂
Thanks for giving me the excuse to listen to some good energetic Christian praise music; it lifts my spirits!
Thanks – even though there was no cry for help. 😉
From My mission Days on, Jerry O and the Motabs were not my favorite. Mack Wilberg has down some great things and they are more listenable now but still…
I believe that music of many different genres can be appropriately used to praise God. That’s not to say that all of it is appropriate for worship services. But I generally feel that the church ought to embrace a broader cultural variety of music. LDS Living recently posted an article about Gladys Knight ( http://ldsliving.com/story/76709-how-gladys-knight-became-a-mormon ) where she says, “Our congregations are filled with a growing diversity of people from different races and cultures. I look forward to the day when we embrace their music without feeling uncomfortable.” I echo this sentiment.
I live in the Bible Belt and have found loads of inspiring Contemporary Christian music down here. Y’all oughta come experience it for yourselves! Here are a few of my current favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8BBCYFAYRI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw
Love “Blessings”.
Big Daddy Weave – “I Am Redeemed”
A beautiful song. Thanks for the post. I agree 🙂
That. Was. Awesome!!
I cry pretty much every time I hear Switchfoot’s “Dare you to move”. It’s a great song. =)
AuntSue
Totally agree. Although, the last few years MoTab has become pretty awesome. Most Contemporary Christian music is not to my taste. Interestingly, I do enjoy the Catholic radio stations sometimes. Hillary Weeks is a wonderful LDS singer on my Pandora station. But, hey, you are probably not a big music listener anyway. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
I am a HUGE music listener. Thousands and thousands of songs on my iPod.
Some things can never be unheard. However, that Lyle Lovett song just might be my family’s theme song each Sunday. We have an hour drive to and from church. The first words out of my kids’ mouths is “we’re hungry!” As soon as that final bell rings.
Thank you. I’ve never admitted my disinterest in listening to my Tab Choir CDs–thought I might get kicked out of the Church for heresy! Nice to know I’m not alone. :~) I much prefer just plain ol’ piano music
My CE and I have an interesting heritage. our maternal lines include handcart pioneers. Our fathers were both the first (and only) converts to the church. My CE’s paternal grandfather had perfect pitch and was well known in his home area for tuning pianos by ear. In the 60’s & 70’s he recorded a dozen or so gospel records.
Our children laugh because the diversity of music that comes out of my ipod when I drive. it jumps from Man from Le Manche to AC/DC to Toby keith to Air Supply to Lex De Asivedo to Mannheim steamroller (even in July). you get the picture. There is only one genre of “music” that I don’t listen too.
I will freely admit that I am not a fan of the Southern Baptist Oklahoma twang of my CE’s grandfather. But like all music, if you listen to the message given, you will get the message that is given….and it makes her smile to hear her grandfather’s voice.
Interesting that just before I clicked on this link in my email, I read an article about Gladys Knight and he Unified Voices Choir.
I love contemporary Christian music. Well, at least some of it. The lyrics move me to tears on occasion, and at least I don’t have to worry about objectionable content, especially in front of my daughter. I listen to a lot of it because it just appeals to me musically. To me, Christian music is a mixed genre where I get to hear pop music and rock music with some easy listening sprinkled in there. I don’t really do that whole gospel music scene, though. I guess I got “no soul.” 😉
oh, my. Not even Lyle Lovett was enough to wash that out of my mind. What is that which we preach to the youth of Zion? “You only have to see it once and it will be engrained forever”. I will need to create a special play list to make it through the day. 🙂
No Dove Award winners in that group. But I do like the Lyle Lovett video. Nice post.