A Career Long Retrospection: 10 of Our Favorite Amy Grant Songs

Touted by ABC News as the "Queen of Contemporary Christian Music," Amy Grant is arguably the best selling Christian music artist.  With sales of over 30 million, 6 Grammy Awards, 25 Dove Awards, Grant is also the first contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum selling record.  

Here at Hallels. we have taken the time to step back to give thanks to God for Grant's contribution to God's kingdom.  And we have decided to celebrate such a milestone by reflecting on 10 of our favorite Amy Grant songs. 

10.  "Hope Set High" from "Heart in Motion"

On the heels of the release of Amy Grant's mega- platinum seller of an album "Heart in Motion," while pop radio stations were working its way to promote the smash hit "Baby Baby," Christian radio was serviced with "Hope Set High."  Though propelled to no. 1 on the Billboard Christian chart, "Hope Set High" is the odd child in "Heart in Motion."  It's not as glitzy as the rest of the tracks and it hints on Grant's more subdued pandering in the years to come.  Nevertheless, Grant's delivery on this ballad is stunning: without over singing yet with brimming emotions she gives glory to Jesus in a way that can quietly move the heart.

9.  "The Next I Fall" (with Peter Cetera) from "Greatest Hits 1986-2004"

Ok, this may not be Amy Grant's most spiritually ravishing track.  But this is one of her biggest crossover successes that have widened Grant's audience beyond the CCM community.  It has all the hallmarks of a great power love ballad from the 80s: an utterly irresistible tune, the perfect blending of Cetera's high tenor with Grant's lower reaching alto and those romantic words....

8.  "Lead Me On" from "Lead Me On"

One of the greatest appeals about the music of Amy Grant is that she can tackle with equal aplomb heavy hitting subjects as well as lighter romantic escapades in her songs.  The heavy driving guitar at the introduction of "Lead Me On" is preparation for one of Grant's most socially gruelling songs.  Dealing with the horrors of Holocaust, one can't help but cry out with the saints in heaven, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (Rev. 6:10).   

7. "I Love a Lonely Day" from "Age to Age"

Nobody loves loneliness. Many live in a quiet desperation all their lives trying to get rid of loneliness.  Yet, every suffering (loneliness included) in the hands of our Almighty God can be used for His glory and for our good.  Instead of trying to rid herself of loneliness, listen to how Grant turns loneliness from a monster into a servant; a servant that can help us to draw close to Jesus. 

6.  "Simple Things" from "Simple Things"

Amy Grant's first foray into commercial radio in the new Millennium, "Simple Things" finds Grant returning back to Top 40 on the secular frontier.  Despite the commercial appeal of this radio-driven single (that even comes with the sounds of twitching old vinyl records), it unmasks a very vital Scriptural truth: the root cause of our dissatisfaction lies in the very fact that we are not thankful.  Often we are so focused on our own unattainable "wants" that we forget the million and one blessings God has already graced us with. 

 5. "Lucky One" from "House of Love"

One of Grant's claims to stardom is the ability to capture the feeling of being loved.  The dazzling feeling that you are being adored, the giddiness of the first flush of love, and the satisfaction to know that in someone's eyes you matter, they are all captured on this lead single coming out of Grant's highly successful "House of Love" album.

4.  "Saved by Love" from "Lead Me On"  

Avid Amy Grant fans should know the answer:  there are only two songs in Grant's entire catalog where she uses her own name "Amy" in the lyrics.  One of them is "Saved By Love," and the other song is?  It's the song "Jehovah."  Mixing in the organic with the electric where a mandolin is heard coterminous with flashy guitar riffs, here Grant turns a third person narrative into a personal plea for Jesus' saving power. 

3.  "Baby Baby" from "Heart in Motion" 

When it comes to Amy Grant, you can't really talk about her without mentioning "Baby Baby."  Not only is "Baby Baby" her second (and final) hit to top Billboard's Hot 100 chart, it garnered for her three Grammy nominations.  Inspired by her 6-week old daughter, "Baby Baby" showcases the power of motherhood.  When a mother loves, her abilities are endless. And this includes co-penning a number one record!

2. "Don't Try So Hard" (Featuring James Taylor) from "How Mercy Looks from Here" 

Released last year as her 17th studio album, "How Mercy Looks from Here" showcases a contemplative woman with tales of wisdom and keening observations to share.  Lead single from the album, "Don't Try So Hard" has a seasoned maturity that can only come from a Christian veteran who has lived and breathed God's grace. Here is a woman who knows grace inside out. 

1."El Shaddai" from "Age to Age" 

An Old Testament professor once said somehow in a tongue in cheek fashion, "Greek may be the language of the gods, but Hebrew is the language of the God."  With the chorus sung in Hebrew, Grant allows us to experience firsthand what the Old Testament originally sounded like.  With such haunting melody and such heart rendering words, it's no wonder this is one of the few contemporary Christian songs that had had made it into many hymn books.  And it is also awarded by RIAA as one of the "Songs of the Century."

Tags : Amy Grant Amy Grant 10 songs Amy Grant El Shaddai Amy Grant Don't Try Si Hard Amy Grant Baby Baby Amy Grant Saved by Lord Amy Grant Lucky One Amy Grant Simple Things Amy Grant Lead Me On Amy Grant The Next I Fall Amy Grant Hope Set High