Even before the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 1990s, there was always a tangible dissonance between the church and classic rock. From the first wave of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s to the rise of the counterculture movement in the late ‘60s and into the ‘70s, rock has always served as a sort of antithesis to the seemingly straight-laced members of society (the pearl-clutchers, if you will).
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However, if the people who pushed back against rock ‘n’ roll on religious grounds had listened more closely to some of the music coming out of that time, they would have noticed that plenty of classic rock cuts sing the praises of church, God, or both. You just have to wade through the guitar riffs to find the message.
“After Forever” by Black Sabbath
We’ll kick off our list of classic rock songs that take you to church with perhaps the most surprising: “After Forever” by Black Sabbath. Despite what their heavy metal persona might suggest, most of Ozzy Osbourne’s lyrics are about finding love and light in the midst of darkness. The band’s 1971 track off Master of Reality is overtly religious, asking the listener what they think about God, the afterlife, and famous religious figures like the Pope.
Then, Osbourne makes his own argument: Perhaps you’ll think before you say that God is dead and gone. Open your eyes, just realize that he’s the one, the only one who can save you now from all this sin and hate. Or will you still jeer at all you hear?
“Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum
In December 1969, Norman Greenbaum released what would become one of the most enduring and best-selling one-hit-wonder tracks of all time, “Spirit in the Sky,” before ducking out of the spotlight. The track peaked at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the charts in the U.K., Australia, and Canada. As the name suggests, the song delivers an overtly spiritual message once you get past the fuzzy guitar riffs and blistering solos.
Prepare yourself, you know it’s a must. Gotta have a friend in Jesus. So you know that when you die, he’s gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky. When you die and they lay you to rest, you’re gonna go to the place that’s the best.
“Jesus Is Just Alright” by Doobie Brothers
The Art Reynolds Singers were the first group to record Art Reynolds’ 1966 track “Jesus Is Just Alright,” but after 1972, the song became inextricably linked to the Doobie Brothers. The rock band released their rendition of the song on their sophomore release, Toulouse Street, and the song has been a staple of Doobie Brothers’ best-ofs ever since. Another notable rendition came from the Byrds in 1969, which was a major influence for the Doobie Brothers.
And indeed, there’s no denying that this classic rock song takes you right to church. A-hoping and a-love, Jesus is just alright with me. I don’t care what they may know, I don’t care where they may go, I don’t care what they may know, Jesus is just alright.
“My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison
We can’t include a list of classic rock songs that take you to church without mentioning George Harrison’s 1970 hit, “My Sweet Lord.” The track was a massive success for Harrison, marking his first No. 1 hit by a Beatle post-breakup and garnering him the accolade of having the best-selling single in the U.K. in 1971. Although Harrison wrote the song outside the realm of Christianity, referring to the Hindu god Krishna, believers of any faith can certainly relate to the spiritual adoration and love Harrison describes in his lyrics.
I really want to see you, really want to be with you, really want to see you, Lord, but it takes so long, my Lord. My sweet Lord.
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