I view contemporary worship music the way I view every other musical genre. If the music and lyrics and singers are good, I love it. If they’re not, I find the song annoying. Frankly, I find most contemporary Christian music falling into the second category. Now I’m not criticizing any ears that might be differently affected, but as for me and my ears—I’m a country girl.
I feel most at home with country music. I love the storytelling, the generally clean lyrics, and the love songs. . . Oh, the love songs! These are the ones that cause me to raise my hands and offer my heart to the One who gave me His. Though I know the songs are written for human love interests, I easily turn them into God worship songs.
Like today. I became a driving hazard as one of my favorites came on the radio on the way to Nick’s tutoring this morning. Well, not really a driving hazard—but if any passerby saw me they would probably think I was a raving lunatic. My poor teenage boy! He puts up with me and thinks I’m fun in my own wacky way. So I completely indulge myself, singing and raising one hand high while staying grounded on earth with the other hand on the steering wheel. And I say . . .
Nick! Listen to these words! THIS is a love song to God! The lyrics, the music, the voice of . . . . I had to have him look up the artist on my phone. Uncle Kracker? Really????? Who would choose that as a stage name? Or did his parents think that was cute? Oh well, the song is fabulous and every time I hear it, no matter where I am, my heart starts dancing in worship. Soooo . . .
I thought I might take the liberty of sharing the lyrics and hope you hop over to ITunes and check out the music. Worship together, country-style, shall we? I have an extra pair of cowgirl boots if that would entice you to jump genres for the sake of great worship!
Here we go with Uncle Kracker!!!!
You Make Me Smile
You’re better than the best
I’m lucky just to laugh in your light
Cooler than the flip side of my pillow, that’s right.
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where
You send me, let’s me know that it’s okay
Yeah, it’s okay
And the moments where my good times start to fade
Chorus:
You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like a bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile
Don’t know how I lived without you
‘Cause every time that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile.
Repeat chorus.
Songwriters: Jeremy Bose, Blair Daly, J. Harding, Matthew Shafer