Welcome to the latest instalment of our most recent blog series Top Tens. Last time, we unveiled our favourite animated Disney movies of the 90’s and 2000’s!
This upcoming week is probably one of the most anticipated weeks of the year thus far- the movie The Shack releases, starring Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer and Tim McGraw, based on the critically acclaimed novel, where the main character has a spiritual awakening after a tragic event forces him to basically revaluate his life (yeah, I still need to read the book, but it’s on my to do list!). Just this past week, the companion movie soundtrack released- while we are reviewing the album in the near future, within a few days; let me say that I have listened to the project, and the mix of songs from Christian, country and mainstream pop artists is quite unique and thought-provoking.
Why would you listen to and advocate an album containing ‘mainstream’ music, you say? Well, while I would not want to start an argument about the benefits/downfalls of listening to mainstream music, originally we as a site wanted to delve into inspiring media, and not just media that is aimed at Christians (meaning inspiring music as opposed to music solely directed to Christians and with only Christian messages). Over the past 2 and a half years we haven’t really explored music and songs that have been meaningful and impacting to us that were from the ‘mainstream’ media market. Not every song that is encouraging has to have the lyric ‘Jesus’ in it, for it to change someone’s life. And while you may think I’m being heretical or blasphemous, I thought it was fitting that we as a site delve into the songs that mean the most to us and inspire us, that aren’t necessarily about Jesus, in light of the Shack releasing, which can and maybe will change all of our perceptions about Jesus, as we see Him in a new light.
So, without further ado, here are 30 songs (not necessarily by ‘non-Christian’ artists) that have spoken to me over the past 5 years. These songs have delved into a myriad of topics (from self-worth, identity and friendship, to overcoming adversity, taking risks and believing in someone greater than ourselves!), and guaranteed, you will be blessed by each one of them! Enjoy listening!
Jess Glynne- Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself
Owl City- My Everything
Brooke Fraser- Therapy
Michael Buble- I Believe In You
Needtobreathe- Hard Love
Cimorelli- Worth The Fight
Alessia Cara- Scars To Your Beautiful
Tori Kelly- Hollow
Keith Urban- The Fighter
Switchfoot- I Won’t Let You Go
Austin Webb- Slip On By
Carrie Underwood- Something In The Water
Taylor Henderson- Light Up The Dark
Delta Goodrem- Enough
Dami Im- Alive
Jessie J- Flashlight
One Republic- Kids
The Fray- Love Don’t Die
Jessica Mauboy- Risk It
Jana Kramer- Love
Avicii- Wake Me Up (feat. Aloe Blacc)
Britt Nicole- Be The Change
Mumford And Sons- I Will Wait
Phillip Phillips- Home
Daughtry- Waiting For Superman
Rachel Platten- Stand By You
Hayley Orrantia- Silence You
Finding Favour- Tiny Town
Mat Kearney- Heartbeat
For KING & COUNTRY- Priceless
I listen to most of Tori Kelly’s songs, they are inspirational and so yes, I really really love Hollow. I just discovered Delta Goodrem late last year and I don’t seem to get enough of “Enough”, I even played it last week. Though I listen to a few songs by The Fray, I just happened to listen to Love Don’t Die this January and it was a repeat song on my playlist for some time.
Dami Im is another musician I discovered last year when I first heard The Sound of Silence. Carrie Underwood just has a way of singing that I can help but hear the passion in her voice; Something in the Water is a song I love singing along to. Rachel Platten’s Stand By You made me discover something last year and I wrote it down like this: I will learn to view new challenges as the word Kaleidoscope – you never how easy it is to pronounce until you do. This song made love the word “Kaleidoscope”
Who doesn’t love Brooke Fraser? She’s an inspiration to many including me but I’m not sure the song Therapy made me want to listen again. I prefer Human which talks about accepting your flaws, after all we are not perfect.
Talk about NeedtoBreathe anywhere anytime and I get excited. I love the song Hard Love because lately, I’ve felt discouraged to love difficult people and when I play this song, I’m reminded that real love is hard love(there I go quoting the lyrics from Brooke Fraser’s Who Are We Fooling song). I think their collab on the Shack Soundtrack album with Lauren Daigle is awesome.
Okay, this seems like my longest comment. I have not heard some songs that are listed above but I’ll do myself a favour and listen. Thanks Josh.