Saturday, June 21, 2008

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

The Champion


I am a total child of the 80's. I spent my junior high and high school years listening to Def Leppard, The Police, Chicago, Richard Marx and Journey. I remember when Contemporary Christian music really began. I live in the Houston area and remember when KSBJ (the now powerhouse Christian radio station) came on air. Back then, it was all light rock, easy listening...nothing like contemporary Christian music now.

But it was no wonder as the genre grew that it produced artists that appealed to teenagers of the time. I spent many a summer choir tour with my church youth group singing along to Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Al Denson, Gabriel, Wayne Watson and Carman as loud as we could. I have so many of those old songs on my iPhone, and every time I hear one I get really nostalgic for those days.

During the time when I was finding my way through the difficult labyrinth of my teenage years, these songs grew my faith in a way that defies explanation. And I remember the words to these songs as well as I remember the words to the hymns that I love so well. Completely different feel and sound, but still edifying and important. So you will forgive me if my song today is a bit dated.

I can remember thinking that this was such cool metaphor for the sacrifice that Christ made for us...and it is peppered with phrases from the time period. Seriously, Christ tells Satan to "go ahead, make my day" which made us howl with laughter. It's not completely biblically accurate, but not in a way that damages the gospel in any way. My friends and I listened to it over and over again to memorize the lyrics so we could perform the song for each other verbatim.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling about it, and get to the song. I'm not posting the lyrics because it's a song (well, it's mostly spoken, but you get the picture) that needs to be heard and not read. The video I found is mostly a black screen with a few random bursts of light and imagery, so don't think something is wrong with your video player.

It's long (a little over 8 minutes) but I think it's worth it. I still get chills when I hear it and I hope that you'll give this old relic a chance to speak to your soul about the spiritual realm and the warfare that continues to rage around us every day. Warfare that continues, but that we have ultimate victory over because Jesus is the champion!




9 comments:

Karen said...

I love your music reviews! You really should write a column for a publication or newspaper. I'm rather music-illiterate, so I'm always impressed when others can talk about music and songs and make it come alive for me.

Have a good Saturday;)

Mocha with Linda said...

This brought back memories! I remember seeing Carman live in Kerrville at a music festival right after I graduated from college.

Susan said...

Oh yes...

Can't forget Carmen and his powerful songs and illustrations.

I loved playing that song for Children's Church, the kids would get to hyped up!

Yes, it was fun and had a POWERFUL message right in the midst of it all.

Thanks for bringing back a flood of GREAT memories!

Blessings♥

Addicted to Beadz said...

Xandra,

Great song. Brings back memories. Very good history also. There is good music from the 80's.

Blessings!
Cheryl

luvmy4sons said...

You eightie's girl you! Well, you picked a good one. Makes you juat want to jump up and yell Yea! Go Jesus!

Buffi Young said...

You and me are right there together...EVERY SINGLE SONG AND ARTIST were all my favs too!!! Total 80's child!!! LOVE IT!!! You just can't beat Carman either!! He had a HUGE impact on my during my teenage years!!! Such a powerful ministry. It brought back so many memories!!!! Thanks for the great post!!!
Love,
Buffi

Kellye said...

Wow, with all the synthesizing...I thought I needed to pull out my Max Headroom glasses, roll my pants up at the bottom and put on two more pairs of bright colored socks!

Crystal said...

We use to do a skit to this song when I was in the youth group! So many memories! :)

BethAnne said...

Oh my goodness, this was one of my favs too----I am such an 80's nut!!!