What's in a lyric? It doesn't have to be 'Christian music' to be Christian music

SAN ANGELO, Texas (West Texas Angelus) - Greg Witt, a talented local guitarist in Midland, Texas, and a fellow Catholic, and I had a conversation a couple of weeks ago about music. I asked him if a tune like "Eruption" or "You Really Got Me," both by Van Halen, were "glorifying to God." While Greg admitted that some songs are certainly not in keeping with a higher power's intent on music being a gift based on questionable lyrical content, plenty of "non-Christian, secular" music is pleasing to God.

It doesn't have to be "Christian" music for God to give it the thumbs up. Musicians are gifted with an ability to bring other people enjoyment through use of a talent that most people don't possess. Greg, in fact, said it may even be more of a challenge to be an artist who is a Christian rather than a Christian artist. Christian musicians are, in effect, often preaching to the choir, not that there's anything wrong with that. Artists who possess a Christian faith and who play mainstream secular rock for instance, have an opportunity to gift a listener not only with their talent, but with a message.

What then are some examples? I perused through my iPod this week and found 25 songs that are "mainstream" -- many of which have been played by Top 40 or rock and roll radio stations -- but also contain a message that is either outright Christian or spiritual, or whose lyrical content reflects the values and ideals that Christ would have us practice in day-to-day living.

Your list would probably be different than mine. Feel free to add or disagree ...

"Have I Told You Lately," Van Morrison. It may sound like a love song from one person to another, but according to Morrison, it's a prayer of Thanksgiving to God.

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," U2. For the searchers, and for those with questions on the journey. And there are many.

"Do Right," Paul Davis. Three and a half decades old now, the lyrics are blatantly Christian, not the only song by the recently deceased Mississippian to address faith.

"Love is the Answer," England Dan and John Ford Coley. "Light of the world/Shine on the world/ Love is the Answer/Shine on us all/Set us free/Love is the Answer." Would have easily fit into any Christian Music format when it debuted over 30 years ago. John Ford Coley emailed recently after this piece was originally published and said when he and Seals wrote the song, neither were Christians.

"Shower the People," James Taylor. Many of JT's songs are laced with lyrics that reflect spiritual teachings. This has always been his most powerful song to me.

"I Hope You Dance," LeeAnn Womack. Livin' life to the fullest.

"Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)," George Harrison. A simple prayer; had it been written in Old Testament times, it would have fit in as one of the Psalms.

"Heavenly Day," Patty Griffin. A simple hymn of appreciation

"Morning Has Broken," Cat Stevens. A Christian hymn from the 1920s beautifully and simply brought back to life in the 1970s.

"Wedding Song (There is Love)," Peter, Paul and Mary. "He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts. ... The union of your spirits here has caused Him to remain, for whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name, there is love." Pretty much sums it up.

"Jesus Was an Only Son," Bruce Springsteen. Unless you download this song from "Devils and Dirt" you'll likely never hear it. But its lyrics and message reflect Springsteen's Catholic upbringing and the relationship between Christ and mother Mary. Probably the most blatantly Christian song Springsteen has ever recorded. In the final verse, he sings, "Well Jesus kissed his mother's hands/Whispered, "Mother, still your tears,/For remember the soul of the universe/Willed a world and it appeared."

"Almost Home," Vince Gill. A haunting conversation with God. God played by Texas native Guy Clark.

"But for the Grace of God," Keith Urban. I tried to steer clear of country songs on this list because there are so many in that genre. But this one is so good it deserves to be here.

"Walking in Memphis," Marc Cohn. A celebration of the transcendent power of music, especially the Memphis blues and southern gospel sound. "Tell me are you a Christian, son? Ma'am I am tonight."

"What You Give Away," Vince Gill. Could be the theme song of faith-based charities everywhere.

"The Rising," Bruce Springsteen. The story of first responders' fatal climb up the World Trade Centers as they burn above and ultimately collapse on them, and what becomes of those heroes as they ascend into heaven. There is something stirring and strongly spiritual going on inside of this song.

"Turn! Turn! Turn!, The Byrds. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Almost word for word.

"Peace Train," Cat Stevens. Widely known for his conversion to Islam in the 1990s, he often sang about peace and other Christian ideals in his early career.

"Heart of the Matter," Don Henley. Forgiveness, especially when there is nothing to be gained from a selfish standpoint, is one of the best examples of a foundation of faith.

"Ngiculela-Es Una Historia-I Am Singing," Stevie Wonder. A celebration of the joys of song.

"Yah Mo Be There," James Ingram. "Heavenly father watching us all/We take from each other and give nothing at all/Well it's a dog-gone shame/But never too late for change/So if your luck runs low/Just reach out and call His name."

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"People Get Ready," Rod Stewart. If Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck had done an entire album of gospel music, it would have been spiritually transforming and magnificently uplifting.

"The Water is Wide," David Kauffman. Eight minutes of beautiful, quiet contemplation. The song recorded by many musicians is a simple nod to the notion that we simply can't do it alone.

"Go Rest High on That Mountain," Vince Gill ... and then when death comes, we are still in need of a higher power's help to get us to the highest of mountains.

"Let It Be," The Beatles. McCartney's song was, like Harrison's "Give Me Love," a simple prayer-like hymn and an acquiescence that we need help -- from Mother Mary, in this case, on the road from here to there.

(Have a 'Christian music' list of your own? Send it to COL-feedback@catholic.org. We'll publish some of the best entries!)

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