Joyful Noise

The New Testament doesn’t endorse or condemn any specific genre of music, and James 5:13 commands believers to sing praises if they are happy, suggesting a connection between music and joyful experiences. That’s my experience: it’s hard to be mad at the world when you are singing joyful songs. So here are some rock songs that create a joyful noise while lifting up Jesus so we can overcome life’s struggles. 

The Doobie Brothers’ “Jesus is Just Alright” comes to mind. It was written by gospel musician Arthur Reynolds in 1966 and covered by the Byrds as well, but the Doobie’s version charted better. “Jesus, He’s my friend, Jesus, well, He’s my friend, He took me by the hand, He led me far from this land.” It gets a respectable amount of airplay.

Another notable classic rock song staple is “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum, a Jew. It has a simplistic view of Jesus as a friend and doesn’t get bogged down in the complexities of compliance.

Uriah Heep scored their only U.S. Top Forty (barely, at #39) with “Easy Livin’.” A song clearly not intended to be spiritually endowed, it nevertheless has the chorus line “Easy livin’, and I’ve been forgiven, since you’ve taken your place in my heart.” I’m not the only person to make the connection to following Jesus being easy living.

The song “Turn, Turn, Turn” is—except for the title and final two verses—the first eight verses of the third chapter of the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes. Made into song by Pete Seger, it gained prominence when the Byrds released it in 1965, and it hit Number One. 

Ultimately, Christian contemporary artists do a much better job of lifting us up in song. The wonderful musicians today, like Lauren Daigle, Casting Crowns, and MercyMe, coupled with past artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, give us plenty of great music to worship by. I fall back to some all-time classics, with “I’ll Fly Away,” “How Great Thou Art,” and my all-time favorite, “Amazing Grace,” which are beautiful, joyous, and expansive songs. 

What I’m trying to say is that no matter what you listen to music-wise, you can find inspiration if you just listen. George Harrison was not a traditional Christian, although he possibly embraced Christianity in the latter months of his life. He embraced Hinduism, transcendental meditation, and Eastern mysticism during his life. A couple of his songs come to mind: “My Sweet Lord” and “What is Life?” when I think of George’s yearning to understand. 

I don’t struggle with doubt; I’m not hung up on details. So I don’t consider it sacrilege to think Uriah Heep’s “Easy Livin’” has Jesus relationship overtones to me. You may disagree. I’ll let you. 

I’m just thankful for the joyful noise that overwhelms the tears that life brings us. Ellie, the world was a better place with you in it. 

Kelly Burke was born in Knoxville where he spent his younger years, followed by high school years in Atlanta where he graduated from Georgia Tech. He then graduated from Mercer Law School. He has been in private practice, a magistrate judge, and an elected district attorney. He writes about the law, politics, music and Ireland. He and his wife enjoy gardening, playing with their Lagotto Ramanolo named George Harrison, and spending time with their grandchildren.