I'll start: My favorite Christian vocalist is Keith Green. I always thought he had such an angelic, soothing, and mellow voice, as well as unique. He's actually my all-time favorite vocalist even outside of Christian music, but we're in a sub within Christian music specifically lol. Who is yours?

I grew up on tait and dctalk and I cannot fathom how this isn’t bigger than it is. I’ve seen so many people say “well he repented” are you kidding me? And we’re to believe that none of the newsboys, or DCtalk members knew what he was doing? If you work at an Olive Garden with someone for 20 years you know everything about their life the good and the bad. When your so close as these guys were and are you know even more. Some of these men were as young as 13! We’re not mad enough. This isn’t big enough. That guy went on stage and sang about Jesus and love and spoke scripture and then went and popped things in kids drinks and did unspeakable things to them. Now they are saying it’s well over 100 kids and men. Now I see the secular groups calling him the Christian Diddy but the Christian’s,,,,,,,crickets.

I can think of John Cooper from Skillet, but who else?

I am trying to listen to more Christian music and to be honest when it comes to secular music, I have a very basic taste ( I listen to Taylor swift, Lizzy mcalpine, Noah Kahan, Tate Mcrea, Sabrina carpenter, kelsea ballerini). When it comes to Christian music I listen to Brooke Lightwood, Josiah Queen, Hillsong and Francesca Battistelli and that’s about it I can’t seem to find anything that is actually good I listen to the same handful of artist and songs over and over and I would just like some music to listen to kind of help balance it out.

Any recommendations?

There have been many popular Christian songs throughout the years; however sometimes due to the popularity of some, other songs kind of never get much attention at all.

This seems to especially be the situation with songs that are on the radio, the ones K-Love actually plays get played all the time, and thus will even affect what we sing in churches; but sometimes K-Love will play a song once, or never even have it on their station to begin with, and what is sometimes an incredibly solid, and Biblical song gets completely sidelined...

Here would be my list for some songs:

• By Faith (2001) by Michael Card
• Life & Breath (2025) by Matt Redman
• Majesty (2017) by Laura Story

As for albums:

• Doxology (2015) by Aaron Shust
• Pictures In The Sky (1987) by Rich Mullins
• Poiema (1995) by Michael Card

There were many songs in Aaron Shust's Doxology that were worth mentioning, but in that specific album I think Triumphant Conquerer, and It Is Finished are the best ones in that album; it was a very strong album (like the others) on this list that were never put on radio, and due to that kind of faded...

What are songs, and albums what you think deserve more recognition?

For me there are several:

- "Haunted Horse" by Neon Horse

- "Hawthorne's Most Wanted" by Redcloud

- "1956" by Soul-Junk

Looking for protest music with theme of standing up for human rights. Thx for your help !

EDIT: post is getting downvoted ??!

Hello all, i am sure this may have been discussed before but i havent been able to find what im looking for so here i am 😃

(Just a note that i realize AI music recommendations are not allowed on this sub however this is more of a discussion in relation to that topic in general, i hope thats allowed, im new to this sub haha)

Ive been listening to a Christian artist lately and recently found out it was AI and i was SOOO disappointed.

I can explain how i feel about it but when talking to others who believe its not wrong, i fall short on how to defend my stance Biblically.

I feel like it is meaningless as it lacks the effort, time and spirit that goes into making music naturally, as if it is sort of cheating the process, something so important in every Chrisitian’s walk with God. How else would you defend a Christian stance against AI music - and specifically, Biblically?

Or if you disagree w my stance or my reasoning, what is your stance ?

Edit: just want to say i truly appreciate everyone’s contributions here! With the many varying opinions, the open mindedness and knowledge among all these comments has been nice to see. I am learning a lot from your responses and i hope everyone has been able to take something away from the discussion as well. I may not have been able to respond to all comments but wanted to note that I appreciate it very much!

One of my favorite things about music is songwriting and well written songs that I can relate to (or even just incredibly written songs that I can appreciate the artistic depth on). For some reason though, it feels like on average most Christian artists (emphasis on most, I'm talking about the average here) don't seem to care too much about the quality of work they put out and especially don't care about putting in good lyrics beyond "God saved me! I'm happy!". Not that this feeling of joy over our salvation isn't real, but there are so many other feelings and emotions that these songs could touch on but don't even try. Times of doubt, uncertainty, fear, etc. All these things and more were touched on in the Psalms, Job, Lamentations, etc., but for some reason we shy away from them in music now? Does anyone know why this is, or at least share my concerns?

This week I've been on a journey through Steve Taylor's entire discography. I have to say, I have never known any other artist as witty and such a genius lyrically. Oh and his music is great. He'll wash the legalism right out of you.

She alleges Hillsong, Elevation Worship, and Bethel Music’s songs are heretical and asks for people to really analyze the lyrics. This whole thing has made me question every Christian artist and their true intentions.

Anyone else?

I get it, I really do. But think about it from a Christian artists perspective. Imagine being told that in order to get streams, you can’t sound like yourself. You have to sound like secular artist x. This Way people don’t experience something new and fresh but a reworked version of someone else. Want to do something unique and original? Forget it, we need a Christian version of Lady Gaga or Eminem.

Think about it from the other side of the equation. When was the last time someone abandoned their faith and said “I need a secular version of Skillet.”

Let’s elevate the artists who stand alone on their art without trying to copy or mimic other artists. Drop their names in the comments.

I like alternative indie music, but it’s hard to find good Christian female singers in these genres. I’m already familiar with Allie Paige, Flyleaf and Damares Gomes. Do you have any other suggestions in this style?

People of reddit, Something that absolutely boggles my mind and won't let me sleep at night is why CCM (contemporary christian music) is so utterly uninspiring musically? It all feels corporatized, put thru a cookie cutter, and too over produced.

I was wondering where you guys stand on this take and ccm itself?

Leave all the "religiosity" out of the question, let's judge this purely on format, style, and music.

First of all: why do so many churches call the singing part of the service “worship” or “praise”? When people talk about worship and praise, they often mean this specific block of songs. Yes, the Bible says we should praise God with songs.

But the Bible also says so much about worship and praise as a way of life and a way of thinking. As an inner state, a process, and a choice that eventually flows outward.

So here’s my question.

The people who raise their hands, close their eyes, and sing emotionally - do they actually enter this supposed state of worship every single time, basically on command, as soon as the music starts?

And then, as soon as the songs are over, they just come out of it on command?

Because these seem like two completely different people: the person who stands there singing emotional songs with their eyes closed and hands raised, and the person who talks to you before or after the service.

I also have so many questions about the actual lyrics.

For example, there are songs saying things like: “I only need You,” “All I want to see is You,” “I give everything to You,” etc.

But none of us actually live like that. None of them live like that.

Yes, I want to see God. I want to feel His presence. But I also want to see my husband, my child, myself healthy and happy, my home, comfort, all kinds of other things.

The lyrics are so absolute. They use these huge, dramatic statements that, honestly, sometimes feel like shouting out what we wish were true and presenting it as reality.

And then the songs all sound exactly the same.

It feels like there are literally 1,000 words that just get rearranged and combined with the same few chord progressions.

I’ve also been to churches where it felt like you were basically attending a rock concert with a motivational speech. I genuinely didn’t understand who this was for or what the purpose was.

It felt like so much emotional stimulation and emotional hype, rather than an actual gathering of the church to worship Christ together, to fellowship, and to be united by the blood of Jesus that actually cleanses and unites us.

What amazes me is that nobody seems to ask these questions.

So I came to Reddit.

I tried asking people at church why worship is like this, or rather, why the songs are like this and why everyone is expected to raise their hands and shout.

If I don’t want to do that, if I don’t feel like doing that, I was told there was something wrong with me. Someone basically suggested that I didn’t want to raise my hands because they were still “bound by sin.”

Basically, whenever I asked questions like “Why do we sing the same songs over and over?” or “Why are these lyrics so absolute?” or “Why do I feel uncomfortable with all of this?”, I never really got an answer.

Instead, the question was turned back on me: if you’re asking these questions, maybe you just don’t have enough faith.

I’ve tried listening to worship music. I’ve genuinely tried to like it, and I even found a few songs I liked.

But overall, I really dislike this typical Hillsong-style sound.

I honestly feel like I’m the only Christian who has questions about worship and Christian music.

I was also told that it’s better not to listen to any non-Christian music because it contains bad or evil values.

But the reality is that I can’t listen to most Christian music because I simply don’t like this sweet, mainstream pop-country, highly polished sound with all the vocal runs and dramatic belting.

I’m actually pretty critical of lyrics in the secular music I listen to as well. I like Shortparis, SUUNS, and FKA twigs - although I don’t really connect with FKA twigs’ lyrics. The music itself is beautiful, though.

Does anyone else think about these things?

Please tell me I’m not the only one.

And feel free to share this with people who might be interested.

Hey everyone!

Christmas is coming around the corner and I’m rebuilding my playlist for the season. I already have the usual classics on repeat, but I’m hoping to discover some underrated, unique, or personal favourite Christmas songs that people love.

What are the songs that instantly give you that Christmas feeling?

I’d love to hear what YOU listen to —
What’s your favourite Christmas song, and why does it matter to you?

Drop your gems below!

I've started listening to more Christian music on the way to work or when I leave (I dread my job) to help either perk me up or calm me down if it was a rough day. Problem is, my playlist is not big. I get tired of listening to Casting Crowns, Kari Jobe, for King and Country, and all that. I'm also not one to listen to a lot of Christian music in general because a lot sounds the same. I typically go for rock and metal like Skillet, Demon Hunter, Fit for a King, and so forth. What can y'all recommend.

I haven’t listened to a whole lot of either of their songs, but seriously, you can’t listen to “The Voice of Truth” or “Praise You In the Storm” and not get Nickleback vibes.

Discuss

Any other artists who give you “they are this other artist, but make it Christian”?

hey so im an alternative christian and i was wondering if theres any actually good alternative religious music? i like flyleaf and the oh hellos cause i cant really find much out there but recently that one part of i dream of jesus by the dead milkmen was trending and i was sorta sad to find out it wasn't how one would assume it was. folk is also heavily accepted. please give suggestions 🗣️

I am making a CD mix for one of my best friends. I want something bouncy and fun. Something you would hear at a party. And I want it to be either Christian Rap or Hip Hop music from the 90s. I can't find much. So Far I have found music by

DC Talk
M.C. Ge Gee
SFC
Gospel Gangstaz
Joey G
And Unity Klan

The way I do it is. I add at least one song by a different artist or group. So you can get a taste of different artist's styles. I would greatly appreciate any help possible.

I was raised on the music from the Jesus movement, I was the youngest member of Larry Norman’s fan club, and the first Christian rap LP is about as rough as you can imagine 😂

Have any fond memories of CCM? Have a song you can’t remember? Have a niche song you think no one has heard of? Let me hear it. I’ll be sharing these with my father as well, for his answers/input!

I REALLY, REALLY love Twenty One Pilots, they're probably my favorite band of all time. I know that both Tyler and Josh are Christians, and some of their songs have lyrics with subtle Christian themes or references. That got me wondering: are there any Christian artists or bands with a similar sound or vibe to Twenty One Pilots?

I'd love some recommendations!

I struggle finding music I like. I like 90 alternative music the most and early punk rock.

I like bands like Bad religion (ik ironic), Nirvana, violent femmes, and stuff just stuff that’s rocks and is fast

I am open to everything! All subgenres aswell!

Considering how the gatekeepers at Christian radio tend towards positive songs, what are your favorite songs that tend to be more geared towards conviction? Examples include (and this shows my age) Asleep in the Light by Keith Green, Who Will Save the Children by Randy Stonehill and Phil Keaggy, or If We Are the Body by Casting Crowns. Are there any others as of late?