Artist Playlists
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Blessed with a sweet, silken voice, Amy Grant is a CCM icon. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, she became one of the first Christian artists to cross over into pop on the heels of her successful albums Unguarded and Heart in Motion, the latter of which included the bubbly "Baby Baby," a No. 1 single that raised eyebrows because of its secular tone. Amy Grant continues to explore the boundaries of sound—most notably country—and faith with every new album and tour. - Amy Grant’s Christmas music is some of her most enduring, and it’s easy to understand why. As with her massive crossover hits, the CCM legend’s string of holiday albums feature lovingly crafted blends of traditional Christian values with secular pop hooks. This is especially true of the 1992 blockbuster <i>Home for Christmas</i>, on which old hymns come wrapped in contemporary arrangements, while modern fare is suffused with a solemnity that makes newer songs sound like they’ve been around for generations. Grant has even managed the rare feat of adding new pieces to the Christmas canon, including the deeply meditative “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song).”
- While her biggest inspiration exists on a plane high above pop, Amy Grant's songwriting influences come from masters of the craft in both the religious and secular realms. Missionary and worship-song writer Rich Mullins' ability to marry the sacred and the everyday directly influenced her early albums, while the plainly emotional poetry of Carole King and James Taylor have helped guide her lyric-writing.
- Amy Grant's strong voice, elegant songwriting, and belief in the power of love energize her catalogue. The Queen of Christian Pop's thoughtful cover of Joni Mitchell's “Big Yellow Taxi” illuminates her influences and her hopes for a better world; ballads like “Faithless Heart” and “Don't Try So Hard” expose her emotional range; and uptempo tracks like the twangy “Curious Thing” showcase her playful side.
- Amy Grant's unwavering belief and upbeat songs gave CCM a pop boost and inspired others to use openhearted, hooky music as a way to bear witness. It's an approach that lends itself to adaptation: The chiming alt-pop of Sixpence None the Richer, the sparkling synths of Margaret Becker, and the piano balladry of Lauren Daigle all serve the same end, fusing of-the-moment musical ideals with proud declarations of faith.