Secular Songs for Jesus

[john1513]

“This world keeps spinning faster
Into a new disaster so I run to you
I run to you baby
And when it all starts coming undone
Baby, you’re the only one I run to
I run to you”

• Lady Antebellum, I Run to You

 

[ironchapman]

Kyrie by Mister Mister is probably the first secular song about God that springs to my mind.

 

[Cartesian]

“I’m coming home
I’m coming home
Tell the World I’m coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they’ve forgiven my mistakes
I’m coming home, I’m coming home
Tell the World that I’m coming”

Diddy

 

[john1513]

"I got my eyes on you, you’re everything that I see
I want your hot love and emotion endlessly
I can’t get over you, you left your mark on me
I want your hot love and emotion endlessly

Just hold on we’re going home
Just hold on we’re going home
It’s hard to do these things alone
Just hold on we’re going home"

• Drake, Hold On We’re Going Home

(A little steamy but you get the idea)

Maybe I should have named this thread Secular Love Songs for Jesus

 

[john1513]

This is a love/hate song so I cut out the hate:

"There’s no one quite like you, you push all my buttons down
I know life would suck without you…

“Why I’m still here, oh where could I go?”
You’re the only love I’ve ever known…

True love, true love, it must be true love
Nothing else can break my heart like
True love, true love, it must be true love
No one else can break my heart like you

Why do you rub me up the wrong way?
Why do you say the things that you say?
Sometimes I wonder how we ever came to be
But without you I’m incomplete (I think it must be)

• Pink, True Love Lyrics

 

[john1513]

"It don’t matter what plans I got, I can break ‘em.
Yeah, I can turn this thing around at the next red light
And I don’t mind telling all the guys “I can’t meet ‘em”.
Hell, we can all go raise some hell any other night

If you wanna call me, call me, call me you don’t have to worry ‘bout it baby.
You can wake me up in the dead of the night; wreck my plans, baby that’s alright.
This is a drop everything kind of thing.
Swing on by I will pour you a drink.
The door’s unlocked. I’ll leave on the lights
Baby you can crash my party anytime.

Ain’t a spot downtown that’s rockin’ the way that you rock me.
Ain’t a bar that can make me buzz the way that you do.
I could be on the front row of the best show.
And look down and see your face on my phone.
And I’m gone so long, hang on. I’ll meet you in a minute or two.

[Chorus]

If it’s 2 in the morning and you’re feeling lonely and wondering what I’m doing.

Go ahead and call me, call me, call me

• Luke Bryan, Crash My Party

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

[Intro: Justin Timberlake]
I be on my suit and tie, &^*^ tie, #$#$ tie
I be on my suit and tie, (& tie, $%$#
Can I show you a few things, a few things, a few things, little baby?
'Cause…
I be on my suit and tie, %^%$ tie, %$#&
I be on my suit and tie, %$%^ tie, &^%$
Let me show you a few things
Let me show you a few things

Wait a minute. You ready, JT?

[Verse 1: Justin Timberlake]
I can’t wait 'til I get you on the floor, good-looking
Going hot, so hot, just like an oven
And I’ll burn myself, but just had to touch it
But it’s so fine and it’s all mine
Hey baby, we don’t mind all the watching, ha
Cause if they study close, real close
They might learn something
She ain’t nothing but a little doozie when she does it
She’s so fine tonight

[Hook: Justin Timberlake]
And as long as I got my suit and tie
I’ma leave it all on the floor tonight
And you got fixed up to the nines
Let me show you a few things
All pressed up in black and white
And you’re dressed in that dress I like
Love is swinging in the air tonight
Let me show you a few things
Let me show you a few things
Show you a few things about love
Now we’re in the swing of love
Let me show you a few things
Show you a few things about love
Hey

[Verse 2: Justin Timberlake]
Stop, let me get a good look at it
Oh, so thick, now I know why they call it a fatty
And aww, ^%$% so sick, got a hit and picked up a habit
But that’s alright, cause you’re all mine
Awww, go on and show 'em who you call “Daddy”
I guess they’re just mad cause girl, they wish they had it
Oh, my killer, my thriller, yeah, you’re a classic
And you’re all mine tonight

[Hook: Justin Timberlake]
And as long as I got my suit and tie
I’ma leave it all on the floor tonight
And you got fixed up to the nines
Let me show you a few things
All pressed up in black and white
And you’re dressed in that dress I like
Love is swinging in the air tonight
Let me show you a few things
Let me show you a few things
Show you a few things about love
Now we’re in the swing of love
Let me show you a few things
Show you a few things about love
Hey

Get out your seat, Hov

[Verse 3: Jay-Z]
All black at the white shows
White shoes at the black shows
Green card for the Cuban links
Y’all sit back and enjoy the light show
Nothing exceeds like excess
Stoute got gout from having the best of the best
Is this what it’s all about?
I’m at the restaurant
My rant disturbing the guests
Years of distress, tears on the dress
Trying to hide her face with some make up sex
This is truffle season
Tom Ford tuxedos for no reason
All Saints for my angel
Alexander Wang too
$%$-tight Denim and some Dunks
I’ll show you how to do this young!
No papers, catch vapors
Get high, out Vegas
D’usses on doubles, ain’t looking for trouble
You just got good genes so a %^%$# trying to cuff you
Tell your mother that I love her cause I love you
Tell your father we go farther as a couple
They ain’t lose a daughter, got a son
I show you how to do this, huh, uhh!

[Hook: Justin Timberlake]
And as long as I got my suit and tie
I’ma leave it all on the floor tonight
And you got fixed up to the nines
Let me show you a few things
All pressed up in black and white
And you’re dressed in that dress I like
Love is swinging in the air tonight
Let me show you a few things
Let me show you a few things
Show you a few things about love love love
Let me show you a few things
Show you a few things about love, hey
Oh…

I find the song offensive when you look at the lyrics and try to indicate that they are inspired by God or a God belief.

Secular song for Jesus? Nope. And if one were even meditating with cherry picked words from this song on the Eucharist or the crucifixion I would think that it would be quite sacrilegious.

 

[Bobby_Jim]

There’s the song “Jesus” by the Velvet Underground:

Jesus, Help me find my proper place
Jesus, Help me find my proper place
Help me in my weakness
'Cos I’m falling out of grace
Jesus, Jesus

This song closes out side 1 of the album, and is immediately preceeded by “Pale Blue Eyes”, a song which I like musically, but is about an adulterous affair, and ends with the admission “it’s truly, truly a sin”.

“Jesus” is then followed up on side 2 of the album by “I’m Beginning to See the Light” and “I’m Set Free”, but despite the titles I don’t they continue thematically after “Jesus”. If I had to guess, “I’m Beginning to See the Light” is about a hangover or post-drugs-and-party daze. “I’m Set Free” almost sounds like a story of conversion, except he ultimately sings “I’m set free to find a new illusion”.

 

[dshix]

I find the song offensive when you look at the lyrics and try to indicate that they are inspired by God or a God belief.

Secular song for Jesus? Nope. And if one were even meditating with cherry picked words from this song on the Eucharist or the crucifixion I would think that it would be quite sacrilegious.

I agree. I think the whole concept of “secular songs for Jesus” is rather misguided; when prayer and adoration is ordered towards God, it should have the respect due to His person.

 

[john1513]

I agree. I think the whole concept of “secular songs for Jesus” is rather misguided; when prayer and adoration is ordered towards God, it should have the respect due to His person.

I find the song offensive when you look at the lyrics and try to indicate that they are inspired by God or a God belief.

Secular song for Jesus? Nope. And if one were even meditating with cherry picked words from this song on the Eucharist or the crucifixion I would think that it would be quite sacrilegious.

Note that I did not quote the entire Timberlake song for a reason. The point of the thread is to pull out parts of secular song (i.e. not a Christian song, not a song to play at mass or adoration, a song that is not explicitly about God at all) that have a yearning for love which ultimately comes God. Since they are secular songs, I am in no way suggesting they are inspired by God or by a God belief. I thought that would be clear by the word “secular”.

These are very popular and successful records. These artists are highly talented, albeit often times misguided, but nevertheless searching for meaning in life and love, which happen to be what Jesus promises to give in the fullest. If one can’t recognize truth or beauty in non-Catholic or non-Christian spheres, I dare say they may be incapable of evangelizing non-Chriatians and possibly recognizing Christ in settings that are not explicitly Christian.

I’m not denying that many or all of the songs have aspects that are dangerous to listeners. But realize this does not prevent millions of people from listening. We have to be able and willing to meet people where they are at and affirm the good they profess. It’s far too easy to blast the negative aspects of the above music. It’s far more challenging, and I think rewarding, to find the glimmers of desire that can point a soul to its true love. A christian song is ultimately love song. A love song is ultimately a Christian song since God is love.

 

[john1513]

Justin Timberlake: “let me show you a few things about love.”

This is the entire point of the crucifix and the Eucharist: showing us a love that saves us from death. Justin Timberlake isn’t singing about Jesus, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use his art to point others, or even ourselves, to God.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I think if a song is about Jesus and it’s not mocking him, it ceases to be a secular song.

But here are some songs about Jesus that you are unlikely to hear on any “Christian” radio station:

When He Offers His Hand - Townes Van Zandt

I Still Believe by The Call (but also well known from a cover by Tim Capello on the Lost Boys soundtrack, oddly):

I been in a cave
For forty days
With only a spark
To light my way
I wanna give out
I wanna give in
This is our crime
This is our sin

But I still believe
I still believe
Through the shame
And the grief
Through the lies
Through the storms
Through the cries
And through the wars
Oh, I still believe

Flat on my back
Out at sea
Hopin’ these waves
Don’t cover me
Lord, I’m turned and tossed
Upon the waves
When the darkness comes
I feel the grave

But I still believe
I still believe
Through the cold
And the heat
Through the rain
Through the tears
Through the crowds
And through the cheers
Oh, I still believe

I’ll march this road
I’ll climb this hill
Down on my knees if I have to
I’ll take my place
Up on this stage
I’ll wait 'til the end of time
for you like everybody else

I’m out on my own
Walkin’ the streets
Look at the faces
That I meet
I feel like I Like I want to go home
What do I feel
What do I know

But I still believe
I still believe
Through the shame
And through the grief
Through the heartache
Through the tears
Through the waiting
Through the years

For people like us
In places like this
We need all the hope
That we can get
Oh, I still believe

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Lead Me Home by Jamie N. Commons (on the Walking Dead soundtrack)

Oh Lord, live inside me, lead me on my way
Oh Lord, live inside me, lead me on my way
Lead me home
Lead me home

Alone in the darkness, lead me on my way
Alone in the darkness, lead me on my way
Lead me home
Lead me home

Oh Lord, Heaven’s waiting, open up your door
Oh Lord, Heaven’s waiting, open up your door
Lead me home
Lead me home
Lead me home
Lead me home

True Love Will Find You in the End by Daniel Johnston

“December” by the Waterboys

December is a trusted friend
I always recognise her face
It’s a plague of fool thrown aside
forever by her soft and silent grace
She is reckless as a Mayday
gentle as a stone
She’s ready to go anywhere
to carry me back home!

December fell deep in the bleak
winter time when Jesus Christ
Howled a saviour baby’s howl
primal truth as pure as ice
And though we crucified him on a cross
and dragged his word from prayer to curse
He was able to go anywhere
he was almost one of us!

“When Love Comes to Town” by U2 and B.B. King

I was there when they crucified my Lord
I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword
I threw the dice when they pierced his side
But I’ve seen love conquer the great divide!

Lord Give Me Hope by Daniel Johnston

Lord, give me hope
For the road I walk upon

The road, it is long,
And I fear

Lord, give me strength
For my burden is great

And the road it is long,
And I’m afraid

Lord, hear my prayer
For I’ve fallen by the way

I know that I was wrong
And I’m scared

Lord, make me whole
Won’t you welcome me back again?

For my soul is weary
And I fear

 

[Arizona_Mike]

“Thank You Lord” by Bob Marley (who converted from Rastafarianism to the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church before his death):

Thank you, Lord, for what you’ve done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you’re doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev’ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.

Say I’m in no competition,
But I made my decision.
You can keep your opinion.
I’m just calling on the wise man’s communion.

Thank you, Lord, for what you’ve done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you’re doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev’ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.

Sing along, sing along.

I don’t fear their oppression,
Just to prove my determination.
I don’t yield to temptation,
I have learn’t my lesson in Revelation.

 

[john1513]

Thanks Mike. Would you consider any of your submissions secular?

I’m standing on a bridge
I’m waiting in the dark
I thought that you’d be here by now
There’s nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground
I’m listening but there’s no sound

Isn’t anyone tryin to find me?
Won’t somebody come take me home
It’s a *** cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won’t you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don’t know who you are
But I… I’m with you
I’m with you

I’m looking for a place
I’m searching for a face
Is anybody here I know
'Cause nothing’s going right
And everything’s a mess
And no one likes to be alone

• Avril Lavigne, I’m With You

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Thanks Mike. Would you consider any of your submissions secular?

Well, as I said, once a song recognizes Jesus, it kind of ceases to be secular, but these aren’t usually considered the sort of Christian music you hear on Christian stations, but often represent a sort of longing or desire for God - especially in the Velvet Underground’s “Jesus” as mentioned earlier, or many of the songs of Nick Cave, who describes himself as a Christian, or the “outsider” music of David Johnston, who was one of many people who struggle with extreme mental illness but find belief in Jesus to be a rock to cling upon.

 

[Cartesian]

In Pure Shores (one of my favourites ), I think my whole life is represented as long travel, crossing deserts, oceans, just to answer Jesus calling (to a place I can call mine). The Church is my shore, I’m coming closer to Him.

“Pure Shores” by All Saints

I’ve crossed the deserts for miles
Swam water for time
Searching places to find
A piece of something to call mine
(I’m coming)
A piece of something to call mine
(I’m coming)
(I’m coming)
Coming closer to you

Went along many moors
Walked through many doors
The place where I wanna be
Is the place I can call mine
(I’m coming)
Is the place I can call mine
(I’m coming)
(I’m coming)
Coming closer to you

I’m moving
I’m coming
Can you hear, what I hear
It’s calling you my dear
Out of reach
(Take me to my beach)
I can hear it, calling you
I’m coming not drowning
Swimming closer to you

 

[john1513]

Side note from G. K. Chesterton’s St. Francis of Assisi:

“But do we really desire that Dante should never have heard of Virgil? Do we really desire that Dante should never have read any pagan mythology? It has been truly said that the use that Dante makes of such fables is altogether part of a deeper orthodoxy; that his huge heathen fragments, his gigantic figures of Minos or of Charon, only give a hint of some enormous natural religion behind all history and from the first foreshadowing the Faith.”

 

[DMC12]

what about “carry on my wayward son” by Kansas, I always think that it’s God talking to a son, to dont give up, and that there will be peace after everything is done (in Heaven).

 

[RPRPsych]

“Push” by Sarah McLachlan is an obvious example. It’s a straight love song, but no man in the world can quite live up to what she describes in those lyrics. Ditto “Sweet Surrender” by the same artist.

Have a listen:

youtube.com/watch?v=XkYyRI-f7Vk

youtube.com/watch?v=WumFLdxmSOc

She’s also covered the “Prayer to St. Francis” (Lord, make me an instrument of your peace), so maybe I’m onto something here…