# What is it about Christian radio stations that makes them INSTANTLY recognizable? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 25, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384 "2008-11-25T04:05:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![greatshakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@greatshakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greatshakes)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/41 "2008-11-26T14:57:07Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I guess it depends on the definition, but what about “Kansas”? I wouldn’t necessarily categorize them as a “Christian” rock band but they definitely had a religious theme to much of their music. (I believe songwriter Kerry Livgren actually went on to become a preacher after he left the band.) And I wouldn’t call them “musical milquetoast” either, though some would probably disagree. I think that Kerry Livgren is an ultimate rocker, and he is quite a committed Christian, but there is one caveat in this whole thing. If they are good rockers, and their music is good, and they are Christians…they aren’t on Christian radio! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/42 "2008-11-26T15:06:58Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > I’ve ranted before that the #1 promotion slogan of the local Christian radio station is “Safe for the whole family!” (Really? “Safe” is how you pick your music? Instrumental classical and jazz aren’t “Safe”? How about some nice whitenoise to soothe the soccer team?) There are two Christian (music) FM stations here; one uses to slogan “Safe For The Little Ears” (I didn’t know Christians had small ears!); the other uses the slogan “Positive Hit Music”, which sounds like they’re trying to fool people into thinking they’re mainstream for a minute or two to bump the Armitron ratings. ---
**Author:** ![greatshakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@greatshakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greatshakes)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/43 "2008-11-26T15:22:47Z")
> [@davekhps](#): > > Also, with no offense intended, the subject matter is inherently limiting. > > Want to write a song that references the power you receive from your belief in the divine? Fine, no problem, you’re part of the club. > > Go off the reservation and write songs about driving your car fast, partying late, and enjoying life but _don’t_ mention “Him,” and suddenly you’re not so Christian rock any longer. > > I’ve seen interviews with Christian rockers (former and current) who complain about this. It’s not enough to sing _sometimes_ about the Lord-- it’s kind of expected to be your regular focus. Of course, if it’s your regular focus, then you quickly pigeonhole yourself into a creative ghetto. It stops being about music, and starts being about religious Mad-Libs. “Wait for it. . . wait for it. . . there! The singer mentioned Jesus!” To pay money for anybody’s album, one needs an incentive. To pay money for a Christian album, one needs a Christian incentive. If one wants an album about partying and ‘worldly’ stuff, that’s what Metallica is for. ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/44 "2008-11-26T15:33:17Z")
As for the recognition without hearing any music, I would submit that Christian station DJs and interviewees have distinct tones, whether they’re holier-than-thou, or a trace of sickly-sweet-come-join-the-fold, that is immediately apparent to me as well. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/45 "2008-11-26T15:48:24Z")
> [@greatshakes](#): > > If one wants an album about partying and ‘worldly’ stuff, that’s what Metallica is for. Nitpick: Metallica does not perform any songs about partying, AFAIK. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/46 "2008-11-26T16:16:15Z")
I think the same could be said about sports talk or right wing talk radio. I can tune down the AM dial in any city and identify which station is the local sports talk station. The testosterone just seems to leap right off the radio. Same thing with the right wing talk stations. The hyped up anger is palatable from listening just a few seconds. The vast majority of mainstream Christian stations have a very processed type feel. I think it is because a lot of their listening is done as office background music or minivan driving music. The sports station is more likely to scream, “COME DOWN TO BIG AL’s FORD, WE’VE GOT TRUCKS TRUCKS TRUCKS!!!” at you while the Christian station will sound the same going from announcer to the ad for a faith based home mortgage. ---
**Author:** ![Xan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ac8455/32.png) [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/47 "2008-11-26T16:26:21Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I can give you a scriptural reason: > > John 10:16 Bold mine > > Talking, music and the like done in the Spirit of God calls to His people in a way they can distinguish His voice through His people. IMHO if you are one of His you will recognize respond to His voice, how you respond however depends on where you are in our relationship with Him. So Christians like shitty music? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/48 "2008-11-26T16:30:47Z")
> [@Xan](#): > > So Christians like shitty music? Or Jesus is a shitty muse, I guess. Either way, their reward is in heaven, etc. I think I’ve just figured it all out - worship music is the aural equivalent of a hair shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Grimpen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@Grimpen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grimpen)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/49 "2008-11-26T17:56:04Z")
I think **dalej42** has touched on an important point. I wouldn’t be surprised if “Christian” radio has a recognizable sound; but it’s hardly alone in that. When I’m on the road and need radio I listen almost entirely to NPR; there at least I get some variety, and every now and then something I like hearing. I really enjoy listening to bluegrass, jazz, Celtic music, country Gospel, baroque … outside a major media market, there’s almost no chance I’ll find a station playing anything I enjoy. So: I’m scanning the channels. I’m guessing it takes me about three seconds to decide “that’s rock … that’s country … that’s Golden Oldies …” And there’s not much else. Travelling cross-country, what I mostly hear is clones. Even if “Christian” radio **didn’t** have a distinctive sound, I could almost recognize it by a process of elimination. Regarding quality: well, like (I suspect) all other styles of music, “Christian” music follows Sturgeon’s Rule – “Nine tenths of everything is crud.” There’s a lot of jazz I don’t care for; but I’ll wait through the play list because I’m reasonably confident they’ll hit something I like. “Country” mostly leaves me feeling like my brain is turning to mush – now and then a friend will point me to a Country song which I really like (some of them have real depth), but mostly I don’t like enough of the style to listen to a station. So I don’t hear the songs that are good. But there’s a very thoughtful discussion of the question, and why “Christian” musicians don’t turn up elsewhere, in Mark Allan Powell’s introduction to his book Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. On page 11 he writes “Music industry personnel and station programmers confirm (always off the record) that some radio stations had (and sometimes still have) unofficial policies against playing music by “any artist known to be a Christian.” I asked one such programmer the rationale for such a policy. The reply: “Christianity is not cool. If people hear a Christian singer on our station, they will think we’re not cool. It’s as simple as that.”” U2 beat that curse: but as Powell says on page 980, “All of their albums had been released on a general market label. Bono did not grant interviews to CCM or other Christian music magazines. The group did not normally perform at Christian music festivals…” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/50 "2008-11-26T18:00:28Z")
> [@Grimpen](#): > > U2 beat that curse: but as Powell says on page 980, “All of their albums had been released on a general market label. Bono did not grant interviews to CCM or other Christian music magazines. The group did not normally perform at Christian music festivals…” Is U2 a Christian band? They’ve always made a point of avoiding the label, as you note, and while lots of their music is political, I can’t think of anything they did that I’d consider “Christian music”. _Pride (In the Name of Love),_ maybe, but IIRC that was about MLK rather than Christianity in general. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/51 "2008-11-26T18:10:04Z")
I drive to Florida every year…and from Virgina on south, the AM band is full of these "raving lunatic’ stations-they usually feature a preacher who can’t speak at lower than a shout. Funny (for about 5 minutes), but then extremely annoying…especially when they start asking for money. ---
**Author:** ![Grimpen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@Grimpen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grimpen)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/52 "2008-11-26T18:16:13Z")
Powell has a rather good six page entry on U2, which begins “One of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed rock bands of all time, **U2** is not typically identified as a Christian band, although their fascination and flirtation with Christianity is apparent to even the most superficial fan. … In fact, U2 references Jesus by name more often on _Pop_ than did **Michael W. Smith** or **Sixpence None the Richer** on their 1997 release.” According to Powell, at least in their early years the group had Bible studies together on tour, and one of them considered entering the ministry. “The Christian music press [reviewed] _All That You Can’t Leave Behind_ as one of the most spiritually profound and devout albums ever made.” Bono’s been quite unambiguous about his Christian faith. One the other hand, the group often offended “Christian” music stations, and avoided that ghetto. Are they a Christian band? I’d say the evidence would be enough to convict them. Does their music express themes important to Christians? Yes. Are they imbedded in the “Christian music” subculture? No. So take your pick of definitions. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/53 "2008-11-26T18:28:01Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Most places I’ve lived have had all the Christian radio stations clustered at the low end of the dial (between 90 and 95). If that’s indeed the case in other places, then where you are in the spectrum when your scanning through channels might be at least one clue your sub-conscious might be picking up on. That wouldn’t do you any good in San Diego. 88.3 is a jazz station, 89.5 is NPR, 90.3 is rap and R&B, 91.1 is rock, 92.5 is 70s and 80s music, 93.3 is rap and R&B, 94.1 is some forgettable secular thing, and 94.9 is rock. Of course, San Diego doesn’t seem to have a lot of Christian stations anyway. > [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > I challenge anyone to name a single Christian rock band that would have some appeal to actual rock fans. It’s musical milquetoast. Switchfoot. Both Switchfoot and POD scored a decent number of hits in the early part of the decade, as I recall. > [@Santo Rugger](#): > > What do I win? I think we win some kind of milky toast. > [@Captain Amazing](#): > > The low end of FM (88.1-91.9) is reserved for noncommercial and educational broadcasters. [Cite?](http://91x.com/main.html) (Granted, they broadcast from Mexico…) Oh, and [here’s another one](http://z90.com/main.html). I think that one actually broadcasts from this side of the border. > [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Even with the absence of any specific clues, any station that is unfamiliar to me is 80% likely a Christian station. This _must_ be a regional thing. I couldn’t say that here, even after accounting for Spanish-language stations. > [@dalej42](#): > > The hyped up anger is palatable from listening just a few seconds. I think you mean “palpable”. [cite](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palpable) [cite](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palatable) ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/54 "2008-11-26T18:34:01Z")
Didn’t they release a song for the Tomb Raider movie that was all about being lifted up or something? I think it was called “Elevation”. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/55 "2008-11-26T18:37:14Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > Didn’t they release a song for the Tomb Raider movie that was all about being lifted up or something? I think it was called “Elevation”. I don’t think Christian artists usually refer to Jesus’ swinging hips: [QUOTE=US] High, higher than the sun You shoot me from a gun I need you to elevate me here At the corner of your lips As the orbit of your hips Eclipse You elevate my soul I’ve got no self control Been living like a mole now Going down, excavation High and High in the sky You make me feel like I can fly So high Elevation A star Lit up like a cigar Strung out like a guitar Maybe you can educate my mind Explain all these controls Can’t sing but I’ve got soul The goal is elevation A mole Digging in a hole Digging up my soul now Going down, excavation I and eye in the sky You make me feel like I can fly So high Elevation Love Lift me up from out of these blues Won’t you tell me something true I believe in you A mole Digging in a hole Digging up my soul now Going down, excavation High and high in the sky You make me feel like I can fly So high Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevaaation [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/56 "2008-11-26T18:52:36Z")
> [@Really Not All That Bright](#): > > I don’t think Christian artists usually refer to Jesus’ swinging hips: Hey, why not? He’s probably a pretty good dancer. I heard he once turned water into funk. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/57 "2008-11-26T18:57:28Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > Hey, why not? He’s probably a pretty good dancer. I heard he once turned water into funk. I wonder if he can raise disco from the dead. _shudder_ I hope not. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/58 "2008-11-26T19:24:54Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Most places I’ve lived have had all the Christian radio stations clustered at the low end of the dial (between 90 and 95). > > … > > Actually NPR stations do this to. Seems like they’re usually at 88 or 89.something or 107.something. The low end of the FM dial is reserved for noncommercial broadcasters, which are mostly public radio stations (including noncommercial jazz and classical music stations) and religious stations. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/59 "2008-11-26T23:37:47Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > Hey, why not? He’s probably a pretty good dancer. I heard he once turned water into funk. Family Guy Reference for the Win! 😃 Back to the OP, I’ve noticed that the Christian Radio Stations here are getting a lot sneakier at _not_ advertising the fact they’re a CRS. As in, playing “Normal” Top 40/Dance music for probably 75% of their playlist before sneaking in a couple of songs that heavily mention “Faith” or “Divinity” or “The Light In My Life” and then suddenly it’s BAM! DJs talking about Jesus & Pals and little infobreaks encouraging kids to cut their parents some slack because they don’t understand Teh Intarwebs and things like that, or mentions that Rev. so-and-so will be leading the sermon and this particular church on God’s role in the Information Age etc. I don’t mind CRSs existing, but what I do mind is the “Sneaky” aspect of it; trying to pretend they’re a “Normal” radio station and then suddenly busting out the Jesus-Loves-You-And-God-Is-Great stuff on unsuspecting listeners. Sure, someone will try and say that Christians like the same music as most other people, and this is true, but how about calling the station something vaguely religious instead of just a frequency or callsign or something to at least tip people off that it’s not just a Commercial/Easy Listening station? I’ve been travelling around Queensland a bit for work lately and I noticed this elsewhere, too- sure, there were your typical Australian “Jesus FM” type affairs which were exclusively about how great God is and what a top bloke Jesus is, along with forgettable Praise Music (hey, it serves a market, good for them)- but there were also a few “Undercover” Christian stations as well, which always left me feeling slightly conned after tuning into them for any length of time; kind of a Faith Radio version of that game from _Waiting…_ where you have to get someone to inadvertently look at your privates and then you get to kick them in the ass for falling for it. Also, I have to wonder: Are there people on a Christian Messageboard somewhere (_The Straight Faith: Fighting Unbelief since 33 AD- It’s Taking Longer Than We Thought_) asking “How can I identify these new Christian Radio Stations so I don’t inadvertently listen to one of those “Commercial” Radio Stations? :p” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384/60 "2008-11-26T23:44:39Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Also, I have to wonder: Are there people on a Christian Messageboard somewhere (_The Straight Faith: Fighting Unbelief since 33 AD- It’s Taking Longer Than We Thought_) asking “How can I identify these new Christian Radio Stations so I don’t inadvertently listen to one of those “Commercial” Radio Stations? :p” If so, there’s bound to be a forum called Cafaith Society full of people debating whether U2 is “one of theirs” or not. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-christian-radio-stations-that-makes-them-instantly-recognizable/474384.md?page=4)