Joe at the Evangelical Outpost has a list of 99 Favorite Xian Songs. Here’s my reflections.
When Christian music was bland pablum (and much of it is still today), I discovered Charlie – a true artist and rebel. His music changed my view of Christian art, and showed me how honest a person could be in music. His classic albums Secret of Time and Love Life are still great listening. Favorite songs?
- In the Light
- Way of Love
- One Thing
- The Secret of Time.
Bob is probably my favorite song writer of all time. He never got hugely popular, but has a hardcore set of fans like me who love his beautiful James Taylor style guitar playing, his high, sweet tenor voice, and his incredible lyrical writing. Sometimes, I used to sit on the floor in the dark and listen to him, and weep. Beautiful songs.
His best CDs are Lord of the Past (a compilation) and Bright Avenue. The former is no longer in print, but if you want me to make you a copy, let me know. If you live in the L.A. area, you can catch Bob in concert. Also, his Iraq Song (Hearts Across the Ocean) can be dowloaded for free from his site. Favorite songs? I’ve included some lyrics to show you how great Bob is…
- Man of the Tombs
Man of the tombs
He lives in a place where no one goes
And he tears at himself
And lives with a pain that no one knows
He counts himself dead among the living
He knows no mercy and no forgiving
Deep in the night he’s driven to cry out loud
Can you hear him cry out loud?Underneath this thing that I’ve become
A fading memory of flesh and bloodI curse the womb, I bless the grave
I’ve lost my heart, I cannot be saved
Like those who fear me, I’m afraid
Like those I’ve hurt, I can feel pain
Naked now before my sin
And these stones that cut against my skin
Some try to touch me, but no one can
For man of the tombs I am
- Lord of the Past
- You’re Welcome Here
- Come and See
- Yours Alone
- A Song About Baseball
- No Such Thing as Divorce
- Hope Like a Stranger
Though Alison is known as a bluegrass artist, not an explicitly Christian one, she has done some beautiful relgious (and non-religious) songs. In 1993, she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, one of the youngest to have been inducted, and the only bluegrass artist in the last 29 years to have been so honored. She has won multiple awards. Among Christian songs, I really like the following:
- The Palm of Your Hand
- Down to the River to Pray (from the movie O Brother Where Art Thou)
- Blessed Be
She’s got a whole album of really good bluegrass gospel on I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Casting CrownsThese guys are relative newcomers, but they write some very nice, straightforward song – not so artistic, but plainly evangelical and worshipful.
- Who Am I?
- Your Love is Extravegant
There are a lot of great worship leaders out there, but Chris is one of my absolute favorites. We saw him at Spirit West Coast here in Monterey, CA, and he was awesome. His songs just put me in that worship place consistently. Just about every song on Arriving is now a classic.
- How Great is Our God
- Holy is the Lord (God Almighty)
- Your Grace is Enough
- On Our Side
- King of Glory
Well, as reported previously, these guys don’t consider themselves a Xian band, but their music is defnitely crossover. I esp. like
- Going Under
- Bring Me to Life
- Tourniquet
Anyway, that’s a smattering of some of my favorites.