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11 Songs That Reference the Lord features music courtesy of Andrea Bocelli, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, George Harrison, Kanye West, and Ricky Dillard.
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Folks, prepare to let Him into your life! Who is Him, you ask? Why, THE LORD! On 11 Songs That Reference the Lord, the keyword is Lord. Often, the songs that appear on this playlist are faith-based and specifically mention the Lord. There is, of course, an exception – look at you “Lord of the Flies” courtesy of Kxllswxtch & Pouya (NOT a church song in the least). Anyways, 11 Songs That Reference the Lord features music courtesy of Andrea Bocelli, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (churchier than Kxllswxtch & Pouya, I promise), George Harrison, Kanye West, and Ricky Dillard among others. So, prepare to get your praise on (most of the time) on 11 Songs That Reference the Lord!
1. Ricky Dillard, “I Love The Lord (Live)”
Choirmaster II // Capitol CMG, Inc. // 2024
Beyond the core lyrics, Dillard and company further amplify the praise with variations. At one point, the Choir affirms, “He’s been so good, He’s been so good, He’s been so Good.” More frequently, they assert, with riffs by Ricky, “Yes I love Him / And I adore Him / I lift my hands / I bow before Him / Deep in my heart / I really, really love the Lord / I love the Lord, I love the Lord, I love the Lord.” THANK YA JESUS 🙌! Beyond the spirited lyrics and high-flying vocals, the instrumental is EVERYTHING! The jubilant sounds of the keys! The exalting trumpets! The robust bass line! It all contributes to the spiritual experience. Also, a lit, complex harmonic progression, multiple key changes, and vamps amplify the praise! What I’m saying is, the musical lift is epic on “I Love The Lord (Live)”!
Appears in 🔻:
2. Cissy Houston, “The Lord is My Shepherd”
The Preacher’s Wife // Arista // 1996
Appears in 🔻:
3. Kxllswxtch & Pouya, “Lord of the Flies”
“Lord of the Flies” // Pouya // 2021
4. BRELAND, “Praise The Lord” (Ft. Thomas Rhett)
Cross Country // Bad Realm / Atlantic // 2022
The colorful chorus, excerpted above, is the first section of “Praise the Lord” the listener hears. Next, BRELAND drops the first verse, which continues the praise. It’s not all Christian of course, as he offers up praise “for my bartender, turns a single into two / We went crazy out there last night, we need saving in this pew.” JESUS! Thomas Rhett enters the fray in the second verse, thankful for his children, his Chevrolet (of course), and “cold beer conversation and broken cowboy boots.” I guess that’s how they do it in country music! The music supporting BRELAND and Rhett is bombastic, energetic, and a blend of hip-hop, pop, gospel, and country. It is something to hear for sure! Tongue-in-cheek to the nth degree, “Praise the Lord” is certainly entertaining if nothing else.
Appears in 🔻:
5. Kanye West, “Jesus Lord” (Ft. Jay Electronica)
Donda // Def Jam // 2021
Appears in 🔻:
- 11 Spiritual/Not-So Spiritual Jesus Songs (2021)
- Awesome Songs: September 2021
- 13 J Songs: No Rhyme or Reason (2021)
- Best Songs of 2021: 35-21
6. Andrae Crouch, “Jesus Is Lord”
I’ll Be Thinking of You // Light // 1979
Andraé Crouch is fired up praising The Most High 🙌 🙌 🙌. “Jesus was / (Wounded) / For my transgressions / … And He was bruised / (Bruised) / For my iniquities.” WOO! Crouch’s vocals are gritty, powerful, and oozing with soul – the soul coming from the black church, of course. Crouch is accompanied by an anointed rhythm section (piano, organ, bass, and drums), horns and an anointed choir. The choir amplifies Crouch’s magnificent lead, sending on home the TRUTH: “Jesus! / (He was sent from the Father) / Jesus! / (He’s a great Messiah) / Jesus! / (He’s bread for the hungry) / Jesus! / (He’s water for the thirsty).” Andraé Crouch and his gifted musicians make the praise lit. Not only is the pastoring uplifting, so is the instrumental – those riffs on 🎵 “Jesus is Lord” are heaven-sent! Notably, Crouch re-recorded the record on his 2007 album, Mighty Wind, alongside Karen Clark-Sheard.
Appears in 🔻:
7. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)”
Strength & Loyalty // Interscope // 2007
Yolanda Adams sounds amazing riffing throughout this repurposing of the beloved gospel classic, “Order My Steps in Your Word”, famously performed by the GMWA Women of Worship. Notably, much of “Order My Steps” is in a minor key, which provides an optimal background for a dramatic rap record. Adams also performs the chorus alongside the pitched-up sample. Those awesome Bone brothers crush it with their rhymes, rapping agilely. Layzie Bone shines as he spits, “Cause in his name no weapon should be formed against me / Simply know that the world gon’ tempt me Satan is the enemy / God, please help us I don’t want to be selfish / I don’t want to live my life tryin’ to be rebellious.” As for Krayzie Bone, “The scriptures could mean your survival and I don’t wanna die no neva / I wanna live forever and I would a lot better / So, when Armageddon really come true what chu gon’ do?” And last but not least, Wish Bone asserts:
“You can feel it if you open up, you can get it if you need love
As much as a mustard seed is all you need
Small person pays for the air that we breathe
And the baby is born, place to go when we leave
Food that we eat, weapon when we sleep
It’s a miracle no believin’ the Lord.”
All told, “Order My Steps (Dear Lord)” is a Midwest rap banger that’s the total sugar honey iced tea!
Appears in 🔻:
- Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Order My Steps (Dear Lord): Rap BNGRZ 🔥 No. 13 (2022)
- Step: 5ive Songs No. 45 (2022)
8. George Harrison, “My Sweet Lord”
All Things Must Pass // G.H. Estate Limited / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC // 1970
“My, my, my Lord (Hare Krishna)” clearly separates this from Christianity. Still, Harrison serves up many hallelujahs, though eventually, its Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Gurur Brahma, etc. Considering Hinduism, the lengthiness to see The Lord doesn’t mirror what many Christian religions ascribe to – heaven versus reincarnation.
Regardless of the religious specifics, which are intriguing, what makes “My Sweet Lord” a musical lift is the embracement of faith and believing in something. The lyrics are uncomplicated, which, interestingly, is similar to many Christian and gospel songs. Harrison sounds fantastic, while he and Phil Spector construct a marvelous, folk-gospel backdrop. Even if “My Sweet Lord” isn’t a gospel standard, there is ample faith, not to mention plenty of instrumentalists! Of course, we can’t mention “My Sweet Lord” without that lawsuit – we’ve all been highly inspired by others’ music, haven’t we? Yes Lord! Also, the late, great Billy Preston recorded this Harrison classic, too!
Appears in 🔻:
- George Harrison, My Sweet Lord: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 6 (2024)
- Billy Preston vs. George Harrison: Head 2 Head No. 8 (2024)
- 11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 3 (2024)
9. Inez Andrews, “Lord, Don’t Move the Mountain”
Headline News // Geffen // 1999
[Andrews] scored her biggest hit in 1973 with Lord, Don’t Move That Mountain. Recorded in Chicago by veteran R&B and gospel producer Gene Barge, her rousing rendition of the Doris Akers composition sold so well that it placed on Billboard’s Best Selling Soul Singles chart, peaking at No. 48.
So, what makes “Lord, Don’t Move the Mountain” a truly mountainous record in Andrews’ career and gospel music? First and foremost, it’s that anointed instrument. I can’t overemphasize how gifted Andrews was, singing with incredible confidence and filled with the holy spirit. Furthermore, the songwriter is also a legend, the late great Doris Akers, responsible for penning some of the greatest hymns of all time. The lyrics are utterly inspiring, providing encouragement to keep on keeping and ultimately overcome despite those pesky stumbling blocks.
“Lord don’t move the mountain
But give me strength to climb
Lord don’t take away my stumbling blocks
But lead me all around.”
There’s also the production, which successfully plays to both the church crowd as well as soul enthusiasts in 1973. “Lord, Don’t Move the Mountain” is nothing short of a classic.
Appears in 🔻:
- Inez Andrews, Lord, Don’t Move the Mountain: Sunday Refresh 🙏 No. 16 (2022)
- 11 High Flying Songs About Mountains (2022)
10. James Cleveland, “Aren’t You Glad You Know The Lord”
The King of Gospel Music // Malaco // 2021
Appears in 🔻:
- James Cleveland, Aren’t You Glad You Know the Lord: Sunday Refresh 🙏 No. 17 (2022)
- Whitney Houston vs. James Cleveland: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 18 (2022)
11. Andrea Bocelli & The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, “The Lord’s Prayer”
My Christmas // Sugar Srl // 2009
When Bocelli enters the mix, his vocals are gorgeous. His tone – celestial to the nth degree. He reiterates the text sung by the choir, continuing the beloved Biblical scripture: “They kingdom come / Thy will be done / On Earth / As it is in heaven.” When Bocelli and choir sing together, the musical experience grows even more emotional, spiritual, holy. This occurs twice. The first is “Give us this day / Our daily bread,” and most memorably, the powerful ending: “For Thine / Is the kingdom / And the power / And the glory / Forever / Amen.” Andrea Bocelli and The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square shine on “The Lord’s Prayer”. Notably, Bocelli has also duetted on the Malotte classic alongside his handsome, talented son, Matteo Bocelli.
Appears in 🔻:
11 Songs That Reference the Lord (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, Atlantic, Bad Realm, BMG Rights Management (US) LLC, Capitol CMG Inc., Def Jam, Geffen, G.H. Estate Limited, Interscope, Light, Malaco, Pouya, Sugar Srl; Chil Vera, Ray Shrewsberry from Pixabay]
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