Secular Songs in Worship

[andy.tallman]

I am interested in maybe adding some quote on quote "Secular" songs to our Worship times. How about we make a list together of some songs that might be a benefit to all of us that want to do this. I know there are a bunch of songs that are mainstream that have lyrics that are very fitting.

Bob Marley's "One Love"

Sayin' give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right

There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation

So when the Man comes there will be no no doom

Please submit any others and i'll compile a list.


Thank you

[jerome.de.oro]

Here are some songs that I have come up with. Some, I feel, need minor alterations (although when it comes to changes like "baby" into "Jesus," I'd rather keep "baby"):

Come What May (from "Moulin Rouge")
Wonder- Natalie Merchant
Near Me Always- Jewel
Saving Me- Nickelback
Lo & Behold- James Taylor
Long Black Train- Josh Turner
Far Away- Nickelback (again, yes)
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive- Ella Fitzgerald
Sunday Bloody Sunday- U2
Lean on Me- Bill Withers

Let me know what you think. Preferably by email at , though.

[[Admin] danroth]

Here's a few:

Bad Moon Rising - CCR
Bargain - The Who
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkle
I Can See Clearly Now - Jonny Nash
In the Presence of the Lord - Eric Clapton
Let My Love Open the Door - Pete Townsend
Never Knew Love Like This Before - Stephanie Mills
People Get Ready - Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions
Put a Little Love in Your Heart - Jackie DeShannon
Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane

[Donald V]

We have a 20-somethings service that we do a lot of secular songs at...and some of them make it to our main services...here is a list of songs we have done over the past year.

Matchbox Twenty - How Far We've Come
Foo Fighters - Come Alive
Gavin DeGraw - I Don't Want To Be
Coldplay - Fix You
Rage Against The Machine - Sleep Now in the Fire
Flobots - Handlebars
Counting Crows - If I Could Give All My Love
Beatles - Revolution
Live - What Are We Fighting For
John Mayer - Waiting on the World to Change
Rage Against The Machine - Wake Up
Sevendust - Separate
Save Ferris - Lies
Train - Calling All Angles
Coldplay - God Put a Smile upon your face
Dave Matthews - Save Me
Foo Fighters - My Hero
Dave Matthews Band - Too Much
Incubus - Pardon Me
John Butler Trio - Gov Did Nothin'
Robert Randolph and the Family Band - Soul Refreshing

I know there is more but thats all I can remember now...

Donald

[andy.tallman]

awesome guys.. thank you.. some of these are by alot of bands that i enjoy, and i didn't even know about them..

[tedanderson]

Awww... come on guys.. you left out the ULTIMATE secular worship song..

Rod Stewart - Have I Told You Lately

And you can sing that song word for word with no modifications.

[[Admin] danroth]

Originally Posted by tedanderson

Awww... come on guys.. you left out the ULTIMATE secular worship song..

Rod Stewart - Have I Told You Lately

Given the oft-expressed Christian mysticism of Van Morrison (Stewart's version was a cover), I didn't think it counted as a secular song.

(seriously, Avalon Sunset is an Amazing album!)

[tedanderson]

Originally Posted by danroth

Stewart's version was a cover

Umm.. yeah.. I knew that..

[Jerry Carter]

Chicago - You're the Inspiration

I've heard this done by a Brooklyn Tabernacle-type choir a few years ago.

[prochlea]

one thing to consider regarding this - licensing... I kinda doubt that CCLI would cover alot of those songs.

[[Admin] danroth]

Originally Posted by prochlea

one thing to consider regarding this - licensing... I kinda doubt that CCLI would cover alot of those songs.

very true.

US copyright law allows a fair use exemption for the use of any song in worship (unless it was originally part of a dramatic work like a play or movie) as far as performing / singing. However, projecting or printing the words is a different matter.

[Donald V]

Originally Posted by prochlea

one thing to consider regarding this - licensing... I kinda doubt that CCLI would cover alot of those songs.

To cover the licenses for most of our songs which are used in and out of our services, we purchased a ASCAP, BMI, SEASAC license. We got ours from the Willow Creek Association and lucky for us it doesn't not require us to report which songs we do. Most songs are covered under one of those three companies...so it works for us.

Donald