For some music fans, when they think of songs from Christian artists, an eye roll might occasionally follow. It’s not that faith and religion are wrong, though. It just doesn’t often seem like faith mixes well with rock music, which is normally thought of as rebellious or rambunctious. What’s the tagline for the genre? Sex, drugs, and rock and roll? That’s not very Christlike.
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Nevertheless, throughout the history of the genre, there are some rather excellent classic rock songs that demonstrate the best of the style, which also have deep roots in religion. Here below, we wanted to showcase three examples of just that. Indeed, these are three classic rock songs that slap brought to you by Christian artists.
“Gotta Serve Somebody” by Bob Dylan from ‘Slow Train Coming’ (1979)
While Bob Dylan rose to fame in the 1960s as a protest singer and a folk song artist, wowing fans with his acoustic guitar and harmonica, later in life, he went through many transitions. One transition was a religious experience. Indeed, his 1979 LP, Slow Train Coming, was his first to feature his Christian faith. The breakout tune from that album is “Gotta Serve Somebody”, a song that still rings true today. It’s a song all about the reality that, as a person on Earth, you must work for somebody else. It might be your boss, your spouse, your kids, God, or the devil, but whoever it is, you’re going to serve them. This song still rocks, in my opinion.
“Keep The Faith” by Bon Jovi from ‘Keep The Faith’ (1992)
This song from the 1992 Bon Jovi album of the same name is about holding on even when times may seem their toughest. Faith is easy when everything is going your way. But when your resolve is tested, that’s when you need to grip your morals tighter and stick to what you believe and hold most true. On the song, lead singer Jon Bon Jovi speaks to the Lord or at least references him, reminding the listener to hold on even when the night seems darkest.
“Higher” by Creed from ‘Human Clay’ (1999)
It might seem hard to believe now, but in the late 1990s, Creed was one of the biggest bands on the planet. Their sophomore LP, Human Clay, was ubiquitous. Its hit singles like “Higher” were on the radio constantly. And at its core, Creed is a very devout religious band. While the faith-based messages on the songs were veiled, when you know who and what they were, it’s clear. Lead singer Scott Stapp professed his ideas of divinity and getting closer to God seemingly with each track… and most assuredly on “Higher”.
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