SONGS I LIKE
Who knows music more than I? … Almost everyone!
Who has a better playlist than I? … Everyone (including your 6 year old).
So, don’t listen to anything I have to say about music or musicians. I don’t know a thing…except what I like. I have an oddly eclectic list …
Let me start off by saying I detest Indie music. Indie, to me, feels like a song that has no foundation under it. I would prefer something that has strong legs. (What do I know?) Anyway, I was surprised one day when I heard a Christian Indie song by an English group that struck a chord with my soul. It is old, produced in 2016 by Rivers and Robots. The album is “The Eternal Son” and the song is “To the Highest Place.” Everything I have comes from God and goes back to Him as praise. You may not like it, but it is my “go to” Indie music. (Another from them is very good: “Shepherd of My Soul” from the album “All Things New.”).
On the other hand, I think a lot of folk would like Jonathan Ogden’s “Take Me Back.” Solid. Meaningful.
I have always had a place in my life for Scripture music. I found a group which does it exceedingly well with a wide range of instruments, like fiddle and mandolin. I’ve heard lots of groups with those instruments which could not nail the vocals. This group nails the vocals and the harmonies are to live for. They also have fun takes on interpreting the Scriptures, saying things in memorable ways. Two albums I recommend, “The Words of Jesus, Volume I” and “Psalm Songs, Volume III.” I didn’t mention the name of the group: “The Corner Room.”
Not a Christian group … yet amazing instruments and vocals. This group has been around for decades and does some Irish, some Christian chants, some of everything. My wife and I were blessed to hear them in person in Michigan years ago and have tried to do so again many times … it has never worked out. Their website is WayGoodMusic. The name of the group is Switchback. If they are in your area you MUST go. I promise you will have a good time. Of course, a good time for me at a concert is when no one is talking behind me during the performance (or humming along). Anyone talking during this performance should be banned from all music venues for the remainder of their lives (may they neither live long nor prosper).
Sure, I like many well-known contemporary Christian artists. However, I could bunch about half into two categories: 1) “Boring,” 2) “Irritating.” I don’t need a chorus that never turns into a real song. I’ve grown distrustful of songs which talk about me, me, me. Artists who do great imitations of fingernails on a chalkboard don’t appeal to my tastes. Church worship hours are loaded up with those. No. Teach me something. Tell me that salvation is God’s idea, that He planned it before creation. Have God speak about being holy, righteous, and clean. Tell us that salvation is not just Jesus on the cross, it is about the power of His resurrection. Salvation has a purpose beyond giving us some fire insurance, otherwise we wouldn’t read that God will wipe the tears from our eyes when we get to heaven. Sing about hell being a place you would not want to go … filled with thieves, murderers, rapists, and liars (you and your friends will not have a good time hanging around with those violent people, would you?). In other words, talk about living beautifully different. You are not who you were, and you should never go back even once.
Anyway, movin’ on…
If you love to stomp your feet to music you could try Jason Eady’s “Wayside.” You can’t help but move with that song.
I do listen to a little Country, more mentioned here, but I’ve been known to enjoy Rock and Roll like Boston’s “More Than a Feeling” up loud. You may have to be from a certain era to enjoy it.
When it comes to patriotic music I have many I like and some which I wonder “why?” Here are a few I like…
I will mention Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
I love the references to family in Toby Keith’s “Made in America” Proud to be born and raised in America. Proud of American made products like “WD-40 and a Craftsman wrench.”
An oldie now, Neil Diamond’s “America” is significant.
Finally, Brooks and Dunn with their “Only in America” is a Country/Rock song about opportunity and choice and “everybody gets to dance.”
See? Pitiful playlist. But it is mine.
What song would you share?
[NOTICE: I hope you are enjoying the short story, “Ghost Cabin.” It is a story about a confused ghost who needs mental health counseling. I started writing it for fun when we stayed in early November at a cozy cabin. Check out the pictures.]
Copyright 2024 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere. ~ Sherry]
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