Consequently, the only music I listened to was Christian music. And I've always loved music and so naturally, I listened to a lot of Christian music. Truth be told, compared to all of the music out there in the world, Christian music represents of very small percentage. Furthermore, most Christians were like me and only listened to that kind of music. So it comes to no surprise that we'd all gravitate to a few songs that really appealed to us. Additionally, because of the relatively low output of songs year after year, some of these songs we loved remain our favorites today. Almost to the point of obsession.
I now have the great privilege of listing what I believe to be the top 10 Christian songs of all time. And boy, was it fun writing this up. This is mostly subjective, but I am doubtful that anyone will dispute that any of these songs deserves to be up here, just maybe in a different order.
I had a couple of issues to address in writing this, however. The first dealt with the inclusion of some straight-up worship songs. Do they deserve immunity from getting roasted (however lightly)? Maybe yes, maybe no. I decided to compromise and limit the worship songs to only a few. The other issue I came across was selecting songs that were written in the early 1980s or earlier. I'm sure there were some great ones from those days, but none that I can think of (besides #2 on this list) that have lived on as much as these have and as powerfully.
So sit back and enjoy the show!
10. He Reigns - Newsboys
In the 1990s and early 2000s, I don't think there was a more popular Christian band than the Newsboys. They were phenomenal musicians and songwriters, and their live shows were epic. It was no surprise that when they released their first worship album, Adoration, in 2003, the world freaked out. People were hoping for the Newsboys to do this for a long time. And the best song on the album was titled "He Reigns." It was a solid song; classic Peter Furler singing about people all over the world declaring that God reigns. It was rocky enough to make the radio airwaves and worshipful enough to find its way into churches, albeit for a short time.
Listen/Watch here. P.S. I love Phil Joel's hair.
9. Christmas Shoes - Newsong
I'm sorry, but I just HAD to put this song on the list. I couldn't resist. Most of you know this song as the super sappy, depressing, Christmas song about a poor boy, his dying mother, and a pair of shoes. Newsong even had the audacity to have little kids sing the ending refrains of the song. It pulled at everyone's heartstrings, including the mainstream media, and became a sensation. On local radio, it was played every fifth song on Star 102.5 during the Christmas season. It became movies (starring Rob Lowe!), plays, and more. It came out in 2000 and is still going strong today. I don't believe we'll ever escape its omnipresence. Or its cheesiness.
Listen/Watch here.8. Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns came out of nowhere. One minute they're a no-name youth band from a small church, the next thing you know, they're playing to sold-out crowds across the country. And it all started with their first, self-titled album. Voice of Truth was a solid track. Appealing to people of all ages. It was cool sounding enough, but had deep enough lyrics that made it popular with just about everyone. I thought it was awesome when I was 16. And my parents thought it was awesome in their 40s. That song and that album cemented Casting Crowns' place in the Christian music community as a powerhouse not long after its release.
Listen/Watch here.7. Shout to the Lord - Hillsong/Darlene Zschech
Quite honestly, I'm a little nervous to be talking about this song. I'm afraid if I make fun of it, I will become a pariah in the Christian circles. I'm not entirely sure why people are absolutely crazy about this
song, but they are. A little background first: the song came out in Hillsong's prime. Unfortunately, Hillsong has been overshadowed by their little brother, Hillsong United, for a few years now, and they have yet to come out with a solid album like they did in the mid- to late 90s. But those mid-90s songs were super popular. Not only "Shout to the Lord," but also "All Things Are Possible" and "This is How We Overcome," to name a few. Ah, fond memories. But "Shout to the Lord", I'm convinced, will never die. The song came out in 1994 and is still in CCLI's top 25 list, at number 14, no less. That's impressive. Plus, the American Idol contestants did it only a few years ago and it made iTunes' top 10 list for a few weeks. Personally, I think it's a bit dated, but one can't discount its influence and popularity.Listen/Watch Hillsong's version here.
Listen/Watch American Idol's version here. I apologize that the first person you see in the video is Ryan Seacrest.
6. Jesus Freak - dcTalk
Now this is my kind of music. I was a HUGE fan of dcTalk in their heyday. If they ever came back, I would jump back on that bandwagon. And this song, I believe, is their best ever. Or at least in the top 3. The song represented the rebellious side of Christians (if there is one). It was challenging, loud, and fun. It was one of my first cassette tapes when it came out in 1995 and I still have it to this day (plus on CD). Plus, the whole album was amazing. I guarantee I still have the whole album memorized.
Listen/Watch here.
5. Breakfast - Newsboys
Speaking of epic, classic, Christian songs, how can you forget the Breakfast song by the Newsboys? I don't think people realize how influential this song is. For hundreds of years, people have viewed Christians as stuffy, prudish, holier-than-thou snobs. And then the Newsboys come out with a hilarious, catchy tune that shows the world that Christians can be fun too. All while teaching that they don't serve breakfast in hell. What a great lesson for kids and adults alike. It also did a good job loosening up those Christians that truly were a bit stuffy.
Listen here.
4. You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban
I have to be straight with you all. I hate this song. I never liked it. But for some reason, everyone else did. Let the record show that Josh Groban didn't write this. A guy named Rolf Lovland did. But it was Groban's version that made it such a hit. The girls liked it for Josh Groban (he's so dreamy), my choir teacher in high school liked it because it made for a good concert tune, and Christians, I believe, liked it because the whole world liked it. There's nothing like a Christian song getting validation from the secular world for it to suddenly become popular (see #1). I read reports that said it was one of the most covered songs of all time. Good for Josh, the only one-hit wonder on the list.
Listen/Watch here.
3. Here I Am to Worship - Tim Hughes
This worship song can be roped in there right alongside number 7 on the list, "Shout to the Lord." - a worship song that will never die. For whatever reason, this song really hit home for millions of Christians. It even sounds good in Spanish. A little more recent than "Shout to the Lord", coming out in 2001, but yet another song that has power behind it that will move people for years to come. And I have to admit, I haven't heard it in a while and then at the DC*B show I went to last year, they played it and it sounded incredible. I guess all a song like that needs is a little touching up and it will just keep on playing. It also introduced Tim Hughes to the world as another excellent British worship leader like Matt Redman or Martin Smith.
Listen here.
2. Amazing Grace - Traditional Hymn
It was tough not making this song number 1, but it certainly deserves the number 2 slot. Can you think of a more popular worship song? The song is truly immortal. It's the one worship song that will be accepted by super conservative Methodists and crazy Pentacostals alike. Old people adore it, and young people graciously accept it (especially since Chris Tomlin did a remake of it). Nevertheless, everything about the song is incredibly awesome. The story behind it, the words of it, etc. There's something about it that, even though it is almost 250 years old, it still resonates in the hearts of Christians across the globe. On top of that, the song's history was made into a major motion picture.
Listen/Watch Chris Tomlin's version here.
Watch the Amazing Grace movie trailer here. It stars Mr. Fantastic and Albus Dumbledore
1. I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe
No question that this song is number one. The main reason? It's the only Christian song to be downloaded more than 1 million times. Plus, everyone was obsessed with this song. I remember being at a MercyMe concert and as soon as the opening notes on the piano started playing, the reaction was deafening. It was the loudest I've ever heard a crowd at a Christian concert. I'll never forget when this song went viral in mainstream circles. It's sad that it happened under extremely tragic circumstances. Major radio stations across the nation played this after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occured on February 1, 2003. It became a bigger hit than ever before. But for good reason. It is truly an amazing song. I get chills to this day listening to it. Don't deny it, you do too.
Honorable Mentions
Shine - Newsboys
Who Am I - Casting Crowns
Dare You to Move - Switchfoot
Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman
Colored People - dcTalk
How Great is Our God - Chris Tomlin
So there you have it. The list. I'd appreciate any comments. Let me know if I missed something. I'm sure I did. But it sure was fun. It brought back a lot of fond, sometimes cheesy, always wonderful memories.
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