10 Songs That Shaped My Life
While I’ve never been much of a musician I’ve always been captivated by the art of music. Lyrics and melodies come together for just a few minutes and impact a person for a lifetime. I love hundreds of songs, but only few have impacted my life in a profound way. Here are 10 songs that have shaped my life. Try looking past the cheese of the era and sense the power of the lyric. (Click links to play songs in Youtube.)
1. I Want To Know What Love Is, 1984, Foreigner
I connected with this song as a kid, but never quite knew why. All I knew was that when it played I could play video games better. I know it sounds odd, but something about the rhythm made my brain function faster. A few years ago I did some research and found that Mick Jones always thought of it as a spiritual song and that’s why he brought a choir in to the studio for the recording. Just a few months ago, l learned it’s one of my mom’s favorite songs. I called her to say hi, and she was on her way to a Foreigner reunion concert!
2. When God Ran, 1986, Benny Hester
The story of the “Prodigal Son”, or Loving Father, is my favorite story in the bible. This song brought it to life for me. I couldn’t find a link to the original Benny Hester version that first impacted me, but here’s a link to the Philips, Craig and Dean cover. Consequently my favorite portrait is also “Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt.
3. Honestly, 1987, Stryper
This was my favorite band as a kid and this was my favorite song. It made it to the top of the MTV charts and 23 on the Hot 100. I always connected with the song as reflecting God’s heart toward us. I got to meet the band at Kmart when I was 10, that was awesome!
4. Thank You For Giving To The Lord, 1988, Ray Boltz
Whenever I heard this song, it would bring me to tears in the backseat of my parent’s station wagon. I’d think of my childhood Sunday school teachers, Awana leaders and Kelly Canon, (Ms. Kelly) the lady who led me to Christ. This song forged in me a deep appreciation for those who serve the Church and give of their lives for others, for Christ.
5. Be The One, 1990, Al Denson
I wonder how many future pastor’s felt what I felt when I first heard this song. This song calls you to the mission of the Gospel like no other. My youth pastor, Tim Schrader played this video at Southcliff Baptist church in Fort Worth. I remember exactly where I was sitting when the song closed and I answered inside, “I will.” While cheesy as heck, I can’t help but appreciate the directness of this song to call believers to Christian living and witness.
6. Shameless, 1991, Garth Brooks
Yeah it’s an odd fit in the list. This song caught my ear while dial surfing the radio. I kept tuning back to 99.5 KPLX to hear it again, and along the way I heard a few others songs I enjoyed, within a week I became a country music fan. A couple years later I started working in country radio, writing country music, and eventually going to school in Nashville. It all started with Shameless.
7. Love Song, 1996, Third Day
When this song came out, I was trying to figure out, how to love God. I was maturing as a young man and struggling to connect emotionally with God. When I finally figured out how much He loved me, that took care of it. We love because He first loved us. I John 4:19
8. I Can Only Imagine, 2001, Mercy Me
I first heard this song on the radio on my way to work at the Athlete’s House in Nashville. I pulled in to the parking lot and just sat their numb with tears in my eyes. I love the line, “Would I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you stand still”. My buddy Tony Russell introduced this song to secular radio where it ended up #5 on Billboard AC chart and even #50 on the country charts.
9. Voice of Truth, 2003, Casting Crowns
I can put this song on and get pumped up to do about anything for God. It’s easy to know when I am scared, because you’ll hear me humming this song under my breadth. Before doing a funeral, preaching a message, navigating conflict, or walking into a devastating situation, I sing this to build my faith in who God is and who He’s called me to be.
10. Closer To Love, 2009, Matt Kearney
This song hasn’t passed the “time test” yet, but it makes the list because is has one of my favorite lyric lines of any song… “I guess we’re all one phone call from our knees”. Tragedy in life is real, inevitable, never expected, and never answered. The hope of drawing closer to God’s love is all we have in those moments. One of my favorite things Jesus said is… “in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” Matt and I were friends in Nashville; he paid his dues and served his way into his destiny, a super cool guy.
Recent Comments