Wow. Just on a whim, I YouTubed “Flood Jars of Clay”. I don’t usually care much for the garage band sound, but that really is quite good.
There’s also Kanye West’s hit from two years ago or so, Jesus Walks.
1980’s band Mr Mister had some very Christian songs: “Power Over Me” from Go On… & “Kyrie” from Welcome to the Real World are some of the most obvious.
Dana Glover’s album Testimony is pop, or maybe soul–or is it gospel?–that brushes up against being “contemporary Christian,” but isn’t quite: “Rain” is probably my favorite track.
Midnight Oil has a few, very ambiguous, possibly Christian songs: “Drums of Heaven” from Earth & Sun & Moon may be, & the tracks “Maralinga” & “Somebody’s Trying to Tell Me Something” from 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 sound a bit like it.
For much less reverent takes on religion, I have a soft spot for Depeche Mode’s “Blasphemous Rumours,” & to a lesser extent, John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” & “God.” Dweezil Zappa’s band Z put a nifty song called “Loser” on the album Shampoohorn which is a parody of religious faith, but could almost work sincerely. (That album also has “Jesus Clone” & “Them” which are really anti-Christian.)
Maybe you’re not interested in entering into this discussion at all, but why do you assume that atheists are likely to have a particular problem with your request? I have no trouble reconciling my atheism with my strong interest in particular fields of religious music.
Edit: I suppose I should also contribute an example, so I’ll go for Ms Dynamite, Judgement Day.
The only thing I assumed is a proven fact if you read these boards; and that is for every opinion someone has an opposite opinion. In this particular thread I was looking for something specific, and asked that others be positive. I see where I singled out the group I thought would most likely cause problems. I should have just left it at “Please offer positive replies only”.
How about Marc Cohn’s Walkin’ in Memphis?
“Tell me are you a Christian, child?”
And I said, “Ma’am, I am tonight.”
Anything by Matisyahu, I would recommend King Without A Crown from the album “Live at Stubb’s” as a good example.
It’s Jewish reggae, and just about every song is religious.
Check this thread for more info. Some really unusual bands are mentioned towards the end.
There’s (Jethro Tull’s) Ian Anderson’s Divinities: 12 Dances with God. Very good instrumental stuff.
Well, if you’re going to go with Jars of Clay, let me recommend my favorite tracks. I used to listen to these guys religiously (pardon the pun) back in my Bible Thumping Days, and I still pull them out once in a while because they really are an amazing musical talent, with excellently well-crafted lyrics. Seeing them live was probably one of the most powerful religious experiences I ever had.
‘‘Art in Me,’’ about trying to sell records that sing about God:
*Broken stained glass windows and fragments ramble on
Tales of broken souls and eternities been won
As critics scorn the thoughts and works of mortal man
My eyes are drawn to You, and now once again
In Your picture book I’m trying hard to see
Turning endless pages of this tragedy
Sculpting every move, You compose a symphony
And plead to everyone, ‘‘See the Art in Me.’’*
And my personal favorite, about not measuring up to God’s Will and struggling with faith, ‘‘Worlds Apart’’:
I am the only one to blame for this
Somehow it all ends up the same
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride,
I flew to high,
And like Icharus I collide
With a world I tried so hard to leave behind…
<snip>
Take my world apart
I am on my knees
Take my world apart
Broken on my knees…*
<snip>
- For all I am, for all You are
What I need and what I believe
Are worlds apart.*
The song ends with what sounds like a plaintive, rambling prayer. Very moving.
Don’t think I saw a mention of Jesus Was Way Cool, by King Missile.
*Up Where We Belong * (music Jack Nitzsche and Buffy Sainte-Marie, lyrics Will Jennings) is from An Officer and a Gentleman (1982). Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes performed the hit version, but there is another version that convinces me the song’s essence is religious. It bridges the religious/secular chasm to the complete satisfaction of both types of listener.
The religious version I am familiar with is performed by BeBe and CeCe Winans. The first line is changed slightly from Cocker’s “Love lift us up where we belong,” to Winans’ “Lord lift us up where we belong.” I once (probably in the 1980’s) saw it performed on Jim Bakker’s PTL (Praise the Lord) Club, sung with such feeling and fervor that it choked me up, at a time I had no religious leanings.
Joe Cocker tries to sound African-American, but when you witness a black man sing this song with feeling it is truly impressive. The first line:
I"m loving these suggestions. I’m working my way through them. In particular I’ve really enjoyed the Johnny Cash Gospel Album.
Thanks everybody for the great songs.
I’m glad you like the Cash album!
Ry Cooder did a very nice turn of Jesus Is On The Mainline. He also did an old song called Always Lift Him Up, about helping out a friend who’s down on his luck, mostly of his own doing. I get dewy-eyed every time I hear it.
Shane Hagan’s Listen To The Rain.
I like The Call. It’s subtle, or maybe I’m just dense. I’ve liked them since the late 80’s, but I didn’t realize they considered themselves a Christian band until recently. Now that I know it’s a big ol’ :smack: duh!
Good call! 
I don’t think they ever considered themselves a Christian band per se, but at least some of the members, including lead singer/songwriter Michael Been, are Christians, and it does come through in some of their lyrics.
They’ve recorded a lot of really good stuff (including “Let the Day Begin,” which Al Gore used in his 2000 Presidential campaign).
There’s “God, Give Me Strength”, by Elvis Costello.
There’s “Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goalposts of Life”…
Also, almost everything from Alice Cooper’s albums “Brutal Planet,” “Dragontown,” and “The Last Temptation” is Christian without whacking you over the head with it.
OK, I haven’t listened to everything that’s been suggested yet, but I now want to amend my original request.
Which of these songs listed (or not yet listed, of course) would meet the following criteria…
- preferably male voice
- easy to sing a cappella by a group of men (meaning fairly simple words, simple melody, etc.)
For example, a previous men’s group at my church (CHRP for some of you Catholics out there) sang You Are My King (Amazing Love)