Not every band with Christian lyrics gets lumped in with “Christian Rock.” You might be surprised by who has escaped that label.
U2
Source: u2.com
U2 have consistently put their Christian faith and Biblical themes at the center of their music over the past three decades, but have never sold themselves as a Christian band. This has worked out pretty well for them given that they are one of the most popular rock acts of all time. Most U2 songs have Christian themes, but here's some examples from their catalog.
"40" from War has lyrics lifted from Psalm 40:
I waited patiently on the Lord / He inclined and heard my cry / He lifted me up out of the pits / And out of the miry clay.
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is a straight-up gospel song:
I believe when the Kingdom comes / Then all the colors will bleed into one / But yes, I'm still running / You broke the bonds / You loosened the chains / You carried the cross / Of my shame / You know I believed it / But I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
Most of the songs on Pop are about a crisis of faith, and "Wake Up, Dead Man" directly addresses Jesus Christ:
Jesus / I'm waiting here, boss / I know you're looking out for us / But maybe your hands aren't free / Your father, He made the world in seven / He's in charge of heaven / Will you put a word in for me? / Wake up, wake up dead man.
Mumford & Sons
Via: Christopher Polk / Getty Images
Band leader Marcus Mumford's parents are leaders in the evangelical Vineyard Church in England, and he's a member of that church to this day. Most of his songs reflect his spirituality, some more directly than others. Mumford told The Guardian in 2010 that his lyrics are "a deliberately spiritual thing but deliberately not a religious thing. I think faith is something beautiful, and something real, and something universal."
"Sigh No More"
Serve God, love me and mend / This is not the end / Lived unbruised, we are friends / And I'm sorry / I'm sorry.
"Below My Feet"
And I was still but I was under your spell / When I was told by Jesus all was well / So all must be well.
"Whispers in the Dark"
Whispers in the dark / Steal a kiss and you'll break your heart / Pick up your clothes and curl your toes / Learn your lesson, lead me home / Spare my sins for the ark / I was too slow to depart / I'm a cad but I'm not a fraud / I'd set out to serve the Lord.
