God is in the Midst of These 11 Secular Songs featuring Ariana Grande, Drake, Florence + The Machine, Stryper, Travis Scott among others.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Amen, Amen, Amen! The Bible ma-annnnn – that’s deep stuff right there! In 2018, for whatever reason, lots of musicians are talking about God, like a lot. Honestly, it’s been a minute since the artists have been so spiritually-motivated… well at least to some extent.  Even though the boss man is explicitly named in the song title as well as referenced in the songs themselves, I’m not sure he’d always be onboard with everything on this playlist. “God is in the Midst of These 11 Secular Songs,” features music courtesy of Ariana Grande, Drake, Florence + The Machine, Stryper, and Travis Scott among others.

1. Travis Scott, “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD”

ASTROWORLD • Epic • 2018

“Stop tryna be God Almighty / F*ck the money, never leave your people behind, yeah / It’s never love, no matter what you try.” “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD” definitely ranks among the crème de la crème of ASTROWORLD.  Travis Scott is totally team anti-god-status/anti god-complex, which have been prevalent in the hip-hop community.  At one time, god-status was ‘trending’ in hip-hop music.  It hasn’t disappeared, but rappers have also moved to other things.

Kid Cudi and legendary Earth, Wind & Fire singer Philip Bailey appear on the pre-chorus and chorus (“Hmm, hmm / Stop tryna be God”).  Arguably the best uncredited guest feature (lots on ASTROWORLD) comes courtesy of hip-hop’s ‘it boy,’ James Blake. He sounds fantastic as he sings the inquiring bridge.  “Is it the complex of the saint / That’s keepin’ you so, so still?”  Also, there’s a Stevie Wonder feature (harmonica primarily).

2. Ariana Grande, “God is a Woman”

Sweetener • Republic • 2018

Arguably, Ariana Grande makes her boldest statement yet, one that God himself might question – “God is a Woman”.  Naturally, the urban-pop record isn’t about spiritual matters, unless you consider sex to be spiritual.  At the beginning, she establishes a sensual theme on the chorus.

“You, you love it how I move you / You love it how I though you / My one, when all is said and done / You’ll believe God is a woman / And I, I feel it after midnight / A feeling that you can’t fight / My one, it lingers when we’re done / You’ll believe God is a woman.”

Wow! She’s so good in bed that after making sweet love with her, you’ll believe that “God is a woman…” – something like that.  There’s more sacrilege on the verses, including “Baby, lay me down and let’s pray” on the first, and “And boy, if you confess, you might get blessed.” Woo Ari, you’re bad girl! The best moment of this soaring, slickly-produced urban-pop ballad comes during the outro.  Here, Grande delivers her best vocals, ascending to that next level. While the most devout, pious Christians may take offense to the ‘blasphemy’, those open-minded and devout fans of Grande will definitely be in heaven.

3. Drake, “God’s Plan”

Scorpion • Cash Money • 2018

On the melodic number one hit single, “God’s Plan”, Drake acknowledges God (“I can’t do this on my own”), but, he also references secular ideas.  Such secularism is a damnable offense, at least according to the Ten Commandments – #FALSE IDOLATRY (“Might go down as G.O.D.”). Nonetheless, “God’s Plan” feels pseudo-celestial at a minimum, kicking off with an enigmatic, major-key, driving rhythmic synth. Drake mumbles on the intro (“Yeah they wishin’ and wishin’ and wishin’…”), the eventual post-chorus.

The beat doesn’t enter until the second half of an incredibly melodic first verse. The centerpiece of the record is the chorus: “God’s plan, God’s plan / I hold back, sometimes I won’t… / I feel good, sometimes I don’t… / I go hard on Southside G / I make sure that north-side eat.” The second verse goes a bit harder than the first, with the production and Drake digging in more aggressively.

4. Florence + The Machine, “Big God”

High as Hope • Virgin • 2018

“You need a big God / Big enough to hold your love.”  On “Big God”, Florence + The Machine (Florence Welch specifically) struggles in the aftermath of being ‘ghosted’ in her relationship. “I still like you the most / You’ll always be my favorite ghost,” she sings at the end of the first verse. The brilliant single makes ample spiritual references, but the big picture isn’t about G-O-D.  No, Welch is focused on being fulfilled by love, likening fulfillment to something the size of a higher power.  After commencing with minimal production, by the song’s outro, horns and strings expand the sound.

5. Hunter Hayes, “Dear God”

Dear God – Single • Atlantic • 2018

Add Hunter Hayes to a list of musicians, and people in general who have written a song, or merely uttered the phrase, “Dear God”.  In this case, the baby-faced, 26-year old country singer/songwriter writes a song where he questions the good man upstairs.  Unlike some who have been skeptical, Hayes doesn’t deny God, he merely questions him, as many believers do at some point. The message is superb – relatable to the nth degree. Hayes is on-point, particularly on the bridge:

“I know this ain’t for nothing / There’s nothing you don’t make / I know you got your reasons / This shit’s just hard to take / I don’t mean to criticize / I know I’m hard to teach / I know you tell me there’s nothing wrong with me.”

Deep. If you are a Christian who has experienced hardship, Hayes nails questioning God and basically asking him, why haven’t you, or why won’t you intercede.  Nonbelievers will likely have a snarky response, but if you’re from the Bible Belt (“above average religiosity”), you totally get it.

6. BØRNS, “God Save Our Young Blood” (Ft. Lana Del Rey)

Blue Madonna • Interscope • 2018

“God save, God save our young blood / God save, God save our young love / Hot pavement, hot pavement, hot wheels in the sun.” “God Save Our Young Blood” superbly commences Blue Madonna, the sophomore album by BØRNS. The vocals begin relatively low-key, while the sound is cool, yet mysterious. There’s an air of chill, yet BØRNS still exhibits energy. Throughout, Lana Del Rey sings alongside him, as opposed to being featured in a substantial solo role.  The pairing of the two distinct voices is strong. A true fever pitch occurs on the chorus, where the enigma grows more enigmatic, with synth-driven production leading the charge. As the ear adjusts and familiarizes itself to “God Save Our Young Blood,” the magic is revealed in all its glory.

The question is, just how much is God actually in the midst of this glorious duet? Well, it depends on how you interpret it.  Lyrics like “We can never stop movin’, we see nothin’ but green lights” aren’t tied to spirituality or morality, but BØRNS makes a point of verifying, “I feel like we’re living in a time of increasing speed and there’s no slowing down.” Apply the aforementioned excerpted lyrics from the chorus, and perhaps BØRNS is really concerned about how quickly youth and slipping away, and perhaps even society.  Is that a stretch? Of course, it is. But. There’s been much more suspect songs that include God in the song title or lyrics.

7. Father John Misty, “God’s Favorite Customer”

God’s Favorite Customer • Sub Pop • 2018

Listening to “God’s Favorite Customer,” the superb title track from Father John Misty’s 2018 LP, Josh Tillman’s religious past is perceptible through the musical arrangement, production, harmonic scheme, and the songwriting.  The instrumentation plays a sizable role in the effectiveness of this number, incorporating electric piano, organ, and harmonica, in addition to the standard acoustic piano, acoustic guitars, drums, and supporting vocals (Weyes Blood).  The supporting vocals are absolutely chilling. Beyond the gospel-infused cues, there’s also the spiritual lyrics of the chorus, even as Tillman is no longer “God’s Favorite Customer” as he was when he was an evangelical Christian.

“Speak to me / Won’t you speak, sweet angel? / Don’t you remember me? / I was God’s favorite customer.”

8. CHVRCHES, “God’s Plan”

Love is Dead • Glassnote • 2018

“I’ll wait for a sign / I’m tracing the lines of your hand… / What’s yours can be mine.” Alternative trio CHVRCHES returned with their third studio album, Love is Dead in 2018. For our purposes, Love is Dead brings us another “God’s Plan,” definitely not nearly as ubiquitous as the aforementioned, no. 1 hit by Drake.  With Lauren Mayberry stepping aside from lead vocal duties (she serves in a backing role), Martin Doherty takes the reins.  He references the big man’s plan, though he actually only sings the titular lyric once, during the verse.  “You confide in me / Shamed and maligned / Shaped and defined by God’s plan.” There’s not incredible lyrical depth, but give CHVRCHES credit for referencing ‘The Great I Am’ and keeping it groovy.  God is a dancer?

9. Stryper, “God Damn Evil”

God Damn Evil • Frontiers • 2018

“God damn evil / God damn it all / But God save the people / But God damn the walls.” For many Christians, the word goddamn (or god damn) is offensive. Perhaps that’s why it’s a bit surprising that a Christian rock band, Stryper, would be so bold to title their 2018 album God Damn Evil.  Even though the band clearly is anti-evil, anti-sin, and definitely don’t pose the title as taking the Lord’s name in vain, it was enough to dissuade good ole Wally World from carrying the LP.  I could go on a rant about how inconsistent Walmart’s censorship policies and practices are (did back in 2012 actually), but this isn’t about them.

Throughout “God Damn Evil” (has a ring to it, doesn’t it?), frontman Michael Sweet talks about the sinfulness and ungodliness of various things.  “Self-control is all but gone / The weak time after time / Take the bait and break the bond / But never pay the crime.” Pretty ridiculous that the band created such a stir in the name of God damning evil… couldn’t resist.

10. Ezra Furman, “God Lifts Up the Lowly”

Transangelic Exodus • Bella Union • 2018

Spirituality is a prominent theme throughout the course of Transangelic Exodus, among The Musical Hype’s best albums of 2018.  Given numerous references to angels, that’s not totally surprising.  “My angel’s got eyes like a housing project / He was born inside a guitar.” On the expressive ballad “God Lifts Up the Lowly,” Furman paints pictures of the downtrodden, forgotten, and misfortunate, as evidenced by the aforementioned lyrical excerpt.  Ultimately, he provides some sense of encouragement, and Biblical for that matter, as he sings the titular lyric, “I know God lifts up the lowly.”

11. Chloe x Halle, “If God Spoke”

The Kids are Alright • Parkwood / Columbia • 2018

So, at this point, it’s safe to say that at least a couple of the musicians on this list aren’t blasphemous or ‘get extra’ with their interpretation of God.  You can add Chloe x Halle to the category on “If God Spoke.” “I remember when you said to me, oh / There’s a fountain filled with golden rings, oh / Make a wish any day / You’ll be praising my name.” Sadly, Chloe x Halle, who speak from God’s perspective on “If God Spoke,” had one of the quieter album rollouts of 2018 with the release of The Kids are Alright.  Regardless, the teen sister duo, signed to Beyoncé’s Parkwood label, is definitely an act to watch.  Furthermore, they seem to note and understand the power of God, with this call to actions – Christians, you better “Wake Up” – #Missy Elliot!

Photo Credits: Atlantic, Bella Union, Cash Money, Columbia, Epic, Frontiers, Glassnote, Interscope, Parkwood, Republic, Sub Pop, Virgin