Here are some hit songs that you didn’t know have religious overtones and some that you thought had them, but actually don’t. Do you have a favorite song with religious overtones? Share it with us in the comments below.
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The songs stresses the importance of forgiveness and confession.
The word 'God' was deleted from the radio version's release.
Album: Jesus Freak - 1996.
Mary's Prayer is deeply rooted in religious metaphor, such as these lyrics, "Save me, save me, be the light in my eyes and if I say ten Hail Marys, leave a light on in Heaven for me." In Christianity, Mary is commonly referred to as the Virgin Mary.
Album: Meet Danny Wilson - 1987.
Counting Blue Cars is about a boy's spiritual journey. The song's principal writer, J.R. Richards wrote "So this idea of God, being an omnipotent being, could be a male or female. We always refer to God as a male, so why not make it a female?"
Album: Pet your Friends - 1995.
Love is the Answer wasn't written as a religious piece, however it has been adopted as one.
Album: Nights Are Forever - 1979. Written by Todd Rundgren - 1977.
The song's writer, Issac Slade said, "the song asks about the problem of evil, why bad things happen to good people, after some of their friends and family went through very tough times."
Album: The Fray - 2008.
In Greek, Kýrie, eléison means "Lord, have mercy." Vocalist Richard Page said that the entire song is virtually a prayer. Page also wrote "Broken Wings."
Album: Welcome to the Real World - 1985..
Open my Heart is a song about asking God for guidance. While Yolanda Adams isn't wearing any religious artifacts while singing, religious imagery appears in the video. Yolanda Adams is dubbed the "Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music."
Album: Open my Heart - 1999.
Although it's not a religious song, the song's writer, Dave Grohl, said "it's about looking for inspiration and things that make you feel alive, be they good or bad."
Album: There Is Nothing Left to Lose - 1999
Save for four words, the song is virtually identical to the Bible's Ecclesiastes, 3:1-8
Album: Turn! Turn! Turn! - 1965
Although not specifically a song rooted in religion, its lyrics have been embraced as one. Notably, "Well I never pray But tonight I’m on my knees, yeah. I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now...."
Album: Urban Hymns - 1997.
Prince said 'Let’s Go Crazy’ was about God and the de-elevation of sin. He added, " ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ was God to me. It was: Stay happy, stay focused, and you can beat the de-elevator (Satan)."
Album: Purple Rain - 1984.
'Heaven is Waiting' lays out what the song is about and the lyrics back it up, "Searching for something. Heaven is waiting. Wanting it all now (heaven is waiting). Losing everything (heaven is waiting). Waiting is hell (heaven is waiting)."
Album: Danse Society - 1983.
