Rock Songs about God and Jesus
95rockin' for God
I don’t know why, but the other day I was thinking about pop songs and rock songs that mention God or Jesus. Several of the ones I recalled were from my teenage years, when around here, it was “cool” to be a Christian. Maybe you remember the so-called “Jesus freaks.” The crowd with long hair, old jeans, beards, and sandals who hung out in the park and handed out religious tracts. They were kind of like “hippies for God,” I guess. They often played guitars and tambourines, setting old hymns to the tunes of modern songs of the time. I remember how they used to sing “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun.” It was actually pretty, and it “fit” perfectly.
Anyway, I’m not admonishing these folks. In fact, I’m a Christian myself, and I used to hang out with some of this group. Where did they go? I guess most of them grew up, cleaned up, dressed up and are working behind a desk somewhere now. I miss those days, and I miss the music. Just listening to some of it now brings back so many fond memories…
I don’t think many modern rock and pop songs include God and Jesus in their lyrics, other than Christian rock. I could be wrong, however; I really don’t listen to a lot of modern rock, rap, or hip-hop. Of course, there’s plenty of country music about religious faith, but that’s another topic, entirely.
Whether or not you’re a believer, why not take a stroll with me down memory lane with these great songs?
Jesus is Just Alright
This is a Doobie Brothers classic from 1973. I was 15 at the time, and everybody loved this song! Actually, the members of the band look a lot like some of the guys I hung out with.
Jesus is Just Alright
Spirit in the Sky
Norman Greenbaum performs this tune. The heavy bass licks are classic rock.
Spirit in the Sky
Put Your Hand in the Hand
This 1971 song was performed by Ocean. It urges listeners to trust in Jesus.
Put Your Hand in the Hand
Signs
Remember this one by Five Man Electrical Band? I like the last verse, when the guy goes into a church to pray. When they pass the collection plate, he doesn't have any money to add. Instead, he makes his own sign - a thank-you note to God - and drops it in the plate.
Signs
Day by Day
I love this song. It's from the Broadway musical, Godspell, which is based on the Gospel of Matthew. I had a couple of college pals who used to perform this at a local coffee house. Hear the tambourine?
Day by Day
American Pie
One of the most popular songs ever, Don McLean makes several Biblical allusions, including God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
American Pie
Morning Has Broken
Cat Stevens turned this Christian hymn into a hit in 1971. In 1977, Cat converted to Islam and is now known as Yusuf Islam.
Morning Has Broken
Jesus Just Left Chicago
A smokin' ZZ Top tune. Look at the last verse:
"You might not see Him in person,
but He'll see you just the same.
You might not see Him in person,
but He'll see you just the same.
Yeah, yeah,
You don't have to worry
'Cause takin' care of business is His name."
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Jesus Christ Superstar
This is from the 1971 Broadway production by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. It's based on the struggles between Jesus and Judas Iscariot. The following song is sung by Judas and is addressed to Jesus, which explains the lyrics.
Jesus Christ Superstar
I Don't Know How to Love Him
This song is also from Jesus Christ Superstar and is sung by Mary Magdalene to Jesus, as He sleeps. It's a beautiful, moving song.
I Don't Know How to Love Him
Every Grain of Sand
Bob Dylan wrote this song in 1978, after, according to him, he experienced a visit from Jesus. The lyrics are amazing! This version is performed by Emmylou Harris.
My God
This Jethro Tull tune has some profound lyrics. They say that the Church has attempted to put God in a cage, and that organized religion tries to twist God to its purposes. The excesses of the Church and of priests are also attacked. Some great flute interludes by Ian Anderson here.
Steven Tyler's Amazing Grace
Rock legend Steven Tyler belts out "Amazing Grace" here. Tyler is Catholic.
Amazing Grace
"Oh, Happy Day"
This song was a hit by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. The lyrics refer to the day Jesus washes sins away.
Oh, Happy Day
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Great list of "Spiritual" Songs,
I gotta go with "ZZ Top" on this one. A little "Tongue n' Cheek" tune but ever so entertaining.
How can you not love a band full of "Beards" playing Guitars and the only guy who doesn't sport a "Beard" is the Drummer named "Frank Beard"...
Great hub! Thanks for sharing.
Wow, what a trip down memory lane.
I was one of those, Jesus Freaks, back in High School. I remember these songs and many more.
How about Dust in the Wind, by Kansas? It was written by the lead singer after his Christian Conversion.
Oh and Ian Anderson, his father was a Baptist preacher. You know what they say about preacher's kids?
Great Hub!
Girl, What an awesome collection of songs with God and or Jesus in them. Awesome indeed. I enjoy these greats and will def be back to listen.
Well done and great research. I bet you had fun doing it!!! :) Katie
Wow, there was Christian rock all around us in those years, it just didn't have a label. Now that there is such a named genre, such a label, Christian rock has become insular. It's forced, in the sense that its purpose is to bring people to worship. In that single-minded purpose, it misses the pulse of life, a pulse that Greenbaum and the others did not miss. Christian rock today will never make the top ten.
I'll bet you are already thinking of this...classic folk songs.
Up and awesome is not a good enough rating, but I did it anyway.
Really nice article!!! Get help !!!
Habee, This was a great walk down memory land as I remember all of those songs. It was a great time in my life also. Thanks.
Thanks for compiling these. Who knew Jesus was such a rockstar! Keep up the great work.
Lol, Jake. Thanks for reading!
Thanks a bunch, Lumi!
Prime, gotta love ZZ Top!
bluebell, glad you stopped by!
jkim, I didn't know that about Kansas. Thanks!
Katie, it really was fun!
Good points, Sherri - and thanks for the vote!
Daisy, why do you think I need help??
Hi, Pam! I thought we were about the same age.
Free.edu, thanks a bunch for visiting!
Habee, these are some of the best songs! I love Jesus Christ Superstar, Cat Stevens and Day by Day!! ~j~
Hi, Jane! Day by Day is one of my faves!
The song I remembered was "Rose colored stain glass windows" by Petra. It's a christian song about how religion keeps people from getting close to God. Thanks for sharing.
I love the selection you have here. How nice it'd be if I can get a CD of this collection ! :)
Habee, Interesting trip done memory lane! Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar & Doobie Brothers I remember... To this day I still love to play the tambourine...
Thank you for sharing, In HIS Love, Grace, Peace & Blessings!
AA, I'll have to check that song out!
Ingenira, what a great idea!
Deb, somehow I can just picture you with a tambourine! lol
A great trip down memory lane. Well done.
Habee, Great collection. really loved it!
Glad you enjoyed it, HH!
Brown, thanks for visiting!
Swearin'To God--Frankie Valli
God Only Knows--Beach Boys
My Sweet Lord-- George Harrison
Just to throw a few extras out there
Thanks, JT!
WOw, just discovered this, Habee. That was a stroll down memory lane and you're right, there aren't enough (if any) songs that reference the artists' personal faith these days. Maybe it's because it's become "uncool" to be Christian in some circles. I do like the band Mercy Me who are kind of a crossover. Anyway, don't think music will ever be what it was when we were growing up, religious references or not. And it's a shame.
morning has broken is a beautiful song out of the seventhday adventist hymns..let your memory lane be today....and accept the saviour,follow him while you still have a chance...JESUS has the key to your hearts door let him open it......1st JOHN 1-9 if you confess your sin he is able and just to forgive you your sin,and to cleanse you from ALL unrightousness......the ten commandments cant save you but can show you what sin is...we all ahve sinned and come short of the glory of GOD...
alot of songs mentioned but most were not wrote about JESUS ...dont die like Goeorge Harrison without CHRIST..his my sweet lord was buda
Wonderful post. I especially liked the Doobie Brothers performance on here. I forgot what a great song that one was. People always talk about the great double guitar line ups like Duane Allman And Dickey Betts( The Allman Brothers), Scott Gorham and Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy) and others, but Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston show on this clip that they were a formidable guitar tandem as well.
I also loved seeing Steven Tyler singing "Amazing Grace."
Speak to the Sky - Rick Springfield
By the Rivers of Babylon - Boney M
But my favorite popular song that I prefer to sing to God is "Have I Told You Lately that I Love You." Try it!
One of my favorites is "I'm Scared" by Burton Cummings. It was the follow-up to "Stand Tall," but didn't fare as well on the charts. He wrote it while doing some soul searching. The chorus says, "Never been much on religion but I sure enough just fell down on my knees."
Thanks for a very interesting hub!
Hi! Thank you for compiling this list. I was just sitting thinking about how many songs mention God or Lord, and this popped right up, much to my delight. (not by just thinking, I Googled too, LOL) Those songs have wonderful memories for me.
Look up the lyrics to Led Zeppelin's "In My Time of Dying" some time. It's about someone realizing they haven't lived the most holy of lives and pleading to still be admitted to Heaven.
And a warning about temptation......
"He who made kittens put snakes in the grass" Bungle in the Jungle, Jethro Tull
Have a great day!
Peggy
Very nice hub!
what about Jesus by Velvet Underground
And God by Marc Bolan's T REX;
Jake Pena 16 months ago
Time does go by and sometime we just don't remember the songs that were around. It is amazing how God word just pops everywhere.