Amy Grant is one of my all-time favorite artists. Ever since she released her first album in 1977 at the tender age of seventeen I have listened to her music and watched her career, and her songwriting talent, blossom. She was the first artist in the Contemporary Christian Music genre to cross over into the mainstream market. She has sold over 25 million albums worldwide, and over the course of her career has been awarded six Grammy awards and 21 Gospel Music Association Dove awards. She is the only CCM artist to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In looking through my collection of Amy’s music, I have had a hard time deciding what my top ten favorites are. There are so many great songs to choose from, whether from her earlier, blatantly Christian material, to her mainstream pop songs, to her later, more introspective works. Every album of hers that I own includes material that I enjoy. However, when I made my list of my top ten favorites, the songs that resonated with me the most all have a spiritual component to them, even though they are not necessarily flat-out “Christian” in the traditional sense.
So, here are my personal Top Ten favorite Amy Grant tunes (I wish I could list more than ten, really!).
10. Takes a Little Time—from Behind the Eyes, 1997. I love the bluesy harmonica intro and the upbeat lyrics. When you’re feeling overwhelmed by circumstances and think things will never turn around for the better, this is a good boost for your spirits.
9. El-Shaddai—from Age to Age, 1982. This is a classic worship song, written by Michael Card. It was named Gospel Song of the Year. A very heartfelt recording by Amy.
8. Sing Your Praise to the Lord—-from Age to Age, 1982. Again, another classic worship song, written by the late Rich Mullins. Very upbeat and joyful.
7. Thy Word—from Straight Ahead, 1984. Worship song based on Psalm 119:105. Very soothing to listen to, and to sing along with.
6. Wise Up—from Unguarded, 1985. Very funky with a get-down groove; you just have to dance! An admonition to watch one’s motives and the choices one makes.
5. Oh, How the Years Go By—-from House of Love, 1994. This song can bring me to tears; yes, I am sentimental! It brings to mind the preciousness of family and friends and the memories we make through our lifetime.
4. Too Late—-from Never Alone, 1981. A rocker with a blistering electric guitar solo. I love it! I also love the message of the lyrics, which challenges one to get off the fence and choose what one is going to follow—the world, or God.
3. Innocence Lost—-from Simple Things, 2003. This is a reflective, mellow song mourning regrets of the past, but finding hope and restoration through God’s forgiveness and love. This one also makes me teary-eyed.
2. Eye to Eye—-from Simple Things, 2003. A mid-tempo pop song about seeking reconciliation and understanding in a difficult relationship.
1. Somewhere Down the Road—-from Behind the Eyes, 1997. This song speaks of the questions we all have in the face of hard times, and the faith that one day we will understand the reasons for it all. Very simply done in acoustic fashion.
Thanks to Amy for sharing her talent and heart with us over the past 30+ years. I appreciate her honest lyrics in sharing the struggles of this life, as well as the joy and hope of the faith that she has also shared. I hope she continues to create more good music for many years to come.
