South Carolina's GRAMMY-nominated band NEEDTOBREATHE has managed to improve their craft with each album, garner an opening slot for Taylor Swift, play on late-night television, and collaborate with Gavin DeGraw on one of their biggest hits to date, "Brother," from my Top Album of 2014, Rivers in the Wasteland. NEEDTOBREATHE's album, Out of Body, includes the standout "Who Am I" and there's a version featuring Elle King. NEEDTOBREATHE's album Into the Mystery, includes standout "I Wanna Remember," featuring country superstar Carrie Underwood. They have returned with CAVES, which includes the standout song "Fall on Me," featuring country music artist Carly Pearce, who also appeared on the standout song "Truth be Told" by Matthew West.
As I reflected on the blurring of the genre lines, the other examples in recent memory include for KING & COUNTRY's "For God is With Us" with a version featuring country music's superstar Hillary Scott of Lady A, who also appears on "Who You Are to Me" with Chris Tomlin, and also, for KING & COUNTRY's hit song "God Only Knows" has a version featuring country music superstar Dolly Parton, who also appears on "There Was Jesus" with Zach Williams. To round out my top 10 list of CCM songs that have had an impact on mainstream pop culture, Lauren Daigle's "You Say" has been the perfect example of a genre-busting song, topping all charts for over a year and launching Lauren to another level of stardom, transcending the CCM genre.
Here are my top 10 favorite cross-over CCM songs in recent memory, and I'm excited to see this trend continue! I was saved from hearing Jars of Clay cross-over to the alternative music genre with their hit song "Flood" and I'd love to see more artists of faith continue to impact mainstream pop culture and build the Kingdom by honoring God, transcending genres, and making great art that inspires people to seek God and His saving mercy and grace. God bless!
1. "You Say" by Lauren Daigle
2. "Who You Are to Me" by Chris Tomlin feat. Lady A
3. "There Was Jesus" by Zach Williams feat. Dolly Parton
4. "Who Am I" by NEEDTOBREATHE feat. Elle King
5. "Fall on Me" by NEEDTOBREATHE feat. Carly Pearce
6. "Truth be Told" by Matthew West feat. Carly Pearce
7. "God Only Knows" by for KING & COUNTRY feat. Dolly Parton
8. "For God is With Us" by for KING & COUNTRY feat. Hillary Scott
9. "Brother" by NEEDTOBREATHE feat. Gavin DeGraw
10. "I Wanna Remember" by NEEDOTOBREATHE feat. Carrie Underwood
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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