Southern rock band 7eventh Time Down has churned out hits for the past decade. In their music, you can hear gritty rock coupled with a radio-friendly-pop sound. Some listeners compare the band’s sound to Creed and Nickelback. Some compare lead singer Mikey Howard’s vocals to Chris Daughtry (more on that later).
Their song “Get Me to You,” from their 2011 label debut, Alive in You, was the big draw for me. At the time, I was exploring Christian rock: Decypher Down, Seventh Day Slumber, and, of course, Skillet. I found “Get Me to You” during my exhaustive search. The song checked all the boxes: catchy radio rock, inspiring lyrics, and a focus on Christ. Rock on. But their 2013 sophomore album, Just Say Jesus, gave me a different perspective of 7eventh Time Down’s music.
Much to my surprise, the rock label didn’t exactly fit the band’s sound. They were more Christian contemporary, with some gritty guitar riffs. Despite the incorrect Christian rock label, I thought I was listening to Daughtry, nonetheless.
In an interview with the band, bassist Cliff Williams said, "We’ve gotten the Daughtry comparisons and it’s a compliment. It’s mostly because of Mikey’s massive vocals. We’ve been doing this for well over a decade and in that kind of time you just grow up—you change, life changes, and so does the music you create. We hope with every evolution we get better and better."
And Cliff's right. Over time, my perception of the band has changed, as well. Now, 7eventh Time Down sounds like 7eventh Time Down. I’ve followed the band album by album, and I've heard the evolution in their music. What stays the same is their God-centered lyrics.
Here are my favorites. And after hearing these songs, I hope my favorites are music for your ears. Happy listening.
“By Faith”
Something is encouraging in the band's latest single, "By Faith." The words "By faith, I keep pressing on/By faith, hope is never gone/No matter what I'm walking through/All things are possible with You/By faith, on the rock I stand/Always, I will trust Your plan/Every step I take along the way/I will walk by faith" expresses someone who trusts God through every circumstance, struggle, and life event.
The song reminds me of my wife. She's been through many health challenges, but no matter what happens, she keeps her faith. I've had my own health challenges and life's disappointments. And while I talk and walk with the Lord, I struggle with the line "You never let me down." Sometimes truth to the ears is hard to accept for anyone. 7eventh Time Down sings it, but I’m not ready to hear it.
“Questions”
This evangelistic song encourages listeners to ask questions about faith and God. Many Christians and non-Christians alike are afraid of asking questions. But evangelistic organizations, such as Alpha International, give people a safe platform for non-believers to ask any question about the Christian faith: Who is Jesus? How does God guide us? Why have faith?
Christians ask different yet relevant questions. But often fear asking them because others might accuse them of not having faith. But ask your questions. No shame. No blame.
”The 99”
When I talked to 7eventh Time Down about their 2019 album, Brand New Day, I asked them if their hit, “The 99,” was inspired by Audio Adrenaline’s classic hit, “Leaving 99.”
“I can’t believe we’ve never thought about comparing these songs: "The 99" and "Leaving 99." Audio Adrenaline’s song is so intimate and personal. You feel like he’s reminding himself that God will chase him down to love him. I'm personally attached to the second verse of our song. It’s a reminder of the lengths to which God has already gone to prove His love.”
Many people—including myself—fear being left alone. But this song is reassurance that Jesus doesn’t leave one person behind. Luke 15’s The Parable of the Lost Sheep proves God’s promise to never leave His children behind: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
”Lean On”
When I was working, I was always exhausted—not just physically, but mentally as well. Lately, I’ve experienced spiritual exhaustion. And what I often forget to do is to take my exhausted self to Jesus for resting and healing.
“Lean on Me,” by far, the band's best song has God speaking reassurance to what can be a weary life. “I know just how you feel/When you're too tired to stand up/I know it's hard to believe/When you wanna give up/You can lean on everlasting arms/When your strength fails and your faith is worn/You'll be safe here from all alarms/You can lean on everlasting arms.”
When you don’t have people—including yourself—supporting you when you’re weak, or if you can’t hear God’s reassuring voice, then play this song and let it lift you.
”The One I’m Running To”
“The One I’m Running To,” from 7eventh Time Down’s second album, Just Say Jesus, has a similar message found in “Lean On”—when you’re tired and weary, lean on God. This song takes it a step further. It illustrates two families struggling to make ends meet. The singer talks about the temptation to run, but instead chooses to lean on God: “Tonight I'm gonna fix my eyes/On the only Hope who satisfies my heart/You are the One I'm running to/Everything that's good and right and true.”
“Just Say Jesus”
The message of lean on Jesus when you’re weary is a common theme in 7eventh Time Down’s earlier music. And the title track of the band’s second album is no different. But it also carries additional meaning.
In a press release for the album, band frontman Mikey Howard says, “‘Just Say Jesus’ reminds us that the name of Jesus is just as life-giving, just as redeeming, and brings just as much healing to the sick and lost today as it ever has. I think that's what makes the song so special. When people hear it, I think they are reclaiming the power of Jesus over their lives and things change when people do that. We are grateful to play a small part in all of this.”
The band told the rock news site, Louder Than The Music that the title track “is a personal favorite because of the amount of stories we have received from listeners about how God has used the song to help them.”
For me, proclaiming the name of Jesus is a form of evangelism. Saying His name out loud in reverence acknowledges His existence and gives testimony of how He’s saved lives.
“Get Me To You”
“Get Me To You” could be a romantic ballad—and it is, but with someone else in mind: “I'm never gonna let You go/Now that I've found You/I'm never gonna let You go/I'd climb the highest mountain for You/I'd swim the ocean, it's true/I'd come running to You/There's nothing I wouldn't do/To get me to You.”
Third Day’s legendary hit “Love Song” illustrates how a significant other would climb the highest mountain and swim the deepest ocean. But it emphasizes, “That it’s never been done.” But, Jesus has done that—swam the deepest ocean, climbed the highest mountain, and died on the cross for our sins.
“To Get Me To You,” sung from Jesus’ point of view, similar to Third Day’s hit, illustrates how far Jesus came to achieve the impossible—for you and me.
Paul Phillips is a Canadian journalist with 20 years of experience writing and editing digital and print content. He specializes in health, fitness, nutrition, and travel. He loves music, Marvel movies, and, of course, living for Jesus.
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