Best Songs About Faith and Spirituality
In short: For joyful gospel, play Oh Happy Day. For doubt and longing, Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah or R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion. For questioning religion itself, Imagine. For devotion, I Can Only Imagine or George Harrison's My Sweet Lord. For a fuzz-guitar novelty that became a standard, Spirit in the Sky.
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"Oh Happy Day," The Edwin Hawkins Singers (1969). A gospel arrangement of an 18th-century hymn, recorded by a youth choir in Oakland, became a top-five hit around the world and won a Grammy.
"My Sweet Lord," George Harrison (1970). The ex-Beatle's devotional song moves from "hallelujah" to Hindu "Hare Krishna" chants. A number one in the UK and US, though a court later found it unconsciously copied "He's So Fine."
"Spirit in the Sky," Norman Greenbaum (1969). A Jewish songwriter's tongue-in-cheek gospel song with a famous fuzz guitar riff. A hit again for Doctor and the Medics and Gareth Gates.
Doubt
"Hallelujah," Leonard Cohen (1984). Cohen reportedly wrote dozens of verses, mixing King David, desire and despair. Barely noticed at first; Jeff Buckley's 1994 cover and its use in Shrek made it one of the most covered songs ever.
"Losing My Religion," R.E.M. (1991). The mandolin-led hit uses a Southern phrase for losing your composure. Its video, full of religious imagery, made people assume otherwise.
"Imagine," John Lennon (1971). Lennon imagines a world without heaven, countries or possessions. Often sung at memorials, which makes its message a gentle provocation.
Devotion
"I Can Only Imagine," MercyMe (1999). Bart Millard imagines meeting God, written in grief for his father. It crossed over to pop radio and became the best-selling Christian single ever.
Frequently asked questions
Is Losing My Religion about religion? No. Michael Stipe said the title is a Southern expression for losing your temper or being at the end of your rope. The song is about unrequited love.
Who sang the famous version of Hallelujah? Leonard Cohen wrote and first recorded it in 1984. Jeff Buckley's 1994 cover, based on John Cale's version, is the best known.
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