Let’s be real: you’ve probably been fooled once (or twice) when you were riding in the backseat of your grandmother‘s Buick on the way to church when an unsuspecting jam came through the car’s speakers. The beat was smooth, the lyrics were relatable and the next thing you know — you were bobbing your head.
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Turns out the jam was by a Christian music artist and the song was (technically) considered gospel.
The line between secular and sacred has been blurred for decades — primarily because many of your favorite artists of today and yesterday grew up in the church and their choir-background in the church made its residence in their sound even in worldly songs. But, there’s still a handful of gospel songs that slap like those classic R&B jams.
We’ve picked 13 gospel songs that could easily pass for R&B. Did we miss any?
BeBe & CeCe Winans – “Addictive Love” (1991)
Siblings BeBe and CeCe Winans sang about an addictive type of love that took “them higher” on their 1991 single, “Addictive Love.” The track, from the duo’s album “Different Lifestyles,” spent two weeks at No. 1 on the US R&B chart.
It became so popular not only in Black households, but it ranked #364 on Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Mary Mary – “Walking” (2010)
These gospel singing-sisters were “walking, walking, walking” in their 2010 track titled just that!
“Look at me, I’m trying / Everyday, I fall down / Make mistakes, get back up / Try again, next time that you see me / I’m walkin!” they sang, making this gospel song one that can transcend over into R&B with its encouraging lyrics to keep it moving into your blessings no matter what.
“Walking,” the lead single from their sixth and final studio album “Something Big,” was so popular that not only did it peak at No. 3 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart, it also made the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at No. 5 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. See, we told you!
The Clark Sisters – “You Brought the Sunshine” (1981)
Some of y’all wasn’t even born yet, but The Clark Sisters put it DOWN on this gospel track in 1981. “You Brought the Sunshine” became a hit on Christian radio and cassettes thanks to it’s funky, dance-floor ready basslines that made you think you were at the disco and not the sanctuary.
The song became an instant crossover hit, peaking at No. 16 on US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 27 on Dance Club Songs in 1983. The Clark Sister’s music has also been sampled for decades (Beyoncé’s “Church Girl,” anyone?).
God’s Property – “Stomp” (1997)
Ok, Kirk Franklin and God’s Property had Sunday School and youth ministries bobbing their heads AND stomping their feet while praising the Lord! The track, which featured Cheryl James, better known as Salt from hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa, even sampled “One Nation Under a Groove” by Funkadelic.
Fast forward nearly 30 years later, the track has been introduced to a whole new generation in nightclubs, and us Millennials already know it’s time to put our hands in the air when the DJ plays it cause “we having church and we ain’t going no where!”
Commissioned – “Irreplaceable Love” (1996)
This song by Commissioned, an urban contemporary gospel group from Detroit comprised of Marvin Sapp and Fred Hammond amongst other gospel heavyweights, was an ode to a faithful, one-of-a-kind love money can’t buy.
They sang about the goodness of God and how He’s always there, but if you’re not listening close enough you could probably make the case that this song is about an earthly love— romantic or platonic.
Mali Music – “Beautiful” (2014)
More currently, Mali Music’s “Beautiful” may be considered gospel, but its often performed like a smooth R&B ballad. It was his first major-label single after signing with RCA Records, and we can see why.
And the lyrics reflect the song’s title flawlessly.
“I put my lighter in the air for you /I see whatch’you doing, yeah I see whatch’you go through / Put my lighter in the air, the truth is you’re beautiful, beautiful / Now put your lighter in the air for us / Everybody singin’ together, sing a new song / Put your lighter in the air for love is beautiful, beautiful”
Yolanda Adams – “Open My Heart” (2000)
Gospel powerhouse Yolanda Adams had a HIT on her hands with 1999’s “Open My Heart,” and it could arguably pass for a ’90s R&B slow jam. And rightfully so because it was produced by iconic R&B and soul producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Stokley Williams, lead singer of R&B group Mint Condition, even played the percussion and live drums on the track.
“Open My Heart” became Adams’ most groundbreaking single of her career and introduced her to secular audiences as the song was often played on R&B radio stations. The song peaked at No. 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and thanks to remixes by Steve “Silk” Hurley and Junior Vasquez, it even peaked at No. 29 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Smokie Norful – “I Need You Now” (2002)
Smokie Norful sang about needing divine help only God could provide in the piano-driven ballad “I Need You Now.” Some say the vocal stylings was so strong and soulful comparisons to Luther Vandross were made.
The limited edition of Norful’s album of the same name won a Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year at the 35th GMA Dove Awards, and even peaked at No. 24 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Sounds of Blackness – “Optimistic” (1991)
This praise and worship jam by Sounds of Blackness had nearly every Black person feeling goodt about being Blackity-Black while holding on to renewed joy despite their circumstances.
The gospel anthem, heavy with a R&B/neo-soul arrangement, was written and produced by Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It reached the top three on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, and was even featured in the 1991 film “House Party 2” featuring hip-hop duo Kid ‘n Play.
Years later in 2001, rapper Jadakiss recorded his own version of the song, “Keep Ya Head Up.” Singing trio August Greene and Brandy also remade the track in 2018.
Donnie McClurkin – “We Fall Down” (2000)
Donnie McClurkin’s classic gospel ballad had heavy rotation on both gospel and urban radios. The 2000 track sung about the normality of human mistakes but how divine redemption is always readily available.
Not only did the song appear on the US Gospel Chart, it peaked higher on the US Adult R&B chart at No. 2. The encouraging anthem also appeared on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart at No. 40.
Tye Tribbett & G.A. – “Victory” (2006)
The story behind the recording of “Victory” is equally heartbreaking and encouraging. Leading up to the live recording in Philadelphia of the energetic and hip-hop-inspired production, one of the choir’s members died in a car crash and two others close to the choir died within five months of the recording. That didn’t stop Tribbett or Greater Anointing choir (G.A.), as the live recording for the song and album of the same name was standing room only with 5,000 people (1,000 had to be turned away).
“Victory Live!” debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Gospel charts, and “Victory” became the poster child for high energy worship with a youthful appeal. The hype song reminds every listener, “They got the victory!”
Mary Mary – “Shackles (Praise You)” – (2000)
Mary Mary wanted OFF with them shackles chile because they were ready to dance and “just want to praise You!” The 2000 single was so uptempo and fun it became a mainstay on mainstream radio.
It was the gospel sister’s debut single, and they started out with a bang! “Shackles” became one of the best-selling gospel songs of all time and was a top-10 hit in Australia, Denmark, and Iceland.
As modern and groundbreaking as it was at the time, it wasn’t without a side of hateration (shoutout to Mary J. Blige). The sisters told GospelFlava.com in an interview in 2000: “It’s definitely contemporary. It’s music that everybody in any style of music can relate to. It’s universal, but the lyrics are undeniably Gospel.”
Kirk Franklin – “Love Theory” (2019)
Kirk Franklin’s “Love Theory” is gospel, but has the feels of contemporary R&B. Singing about unconditional love, gratitude, and faith, the song declares how they “don’t want to love nobody but You,” but “You” could be anyone close to the listener whose been a steady friend and companion.
“Love Theory” even won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song in 2020.
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