A while ago a friend posted a list of ten songs that had influenced her life. She challenged me to do the same, so I have.

Since then I have been compiling a list of ten songs and the reason why they have influenced me.

I reckon some of you are thinking that something like this would be easy. It can’t be hard, it’s only a list of songs. But for me it’s so much more than that.

I used to work at a radio station. For two years I hosted my own two hour show, and for a lot of that time I selected the music that went on the station. I was surrounded by music, and even though I couldn’t continue, I still love music.

So when I start to think of songs that influence me about 100 come to mind, and browsing through my music collection brings another 200 influencing songs. To get that down to ten has been difficult.

But I’ve finally done it, so here is my list, complete with the reason why it has influenced me in my life. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: My greatest influence is God, so the songs that influence me most are the songs that draw me closer to Him. So if you’re expecting to find Michael Jackson on this list, you won’t, but hopefully you will find God.

10. Refiner’s Fire – Hymn

From an early age the church I went to would always mix new worship songs with old style hymns. However, it wasn’t until I really listened and understood the depth of these songs that I started to love them. This is one of those first few hymns I grasped the meaning of.

9. I Cannot Tell – Hymn

A few years ago at music practice for church, where I played bass, we started practicing this song.  Before the end of the first verse I had stopped playing, I was in awe of the depth of the words. I love how it is so open about the doubts, but at the same time just trusting in God. I still am in awe of the words, and always will be.

8. Consider Christ – Hymn

Another great hymn that influences me because of one March day. A month earlier I had moved down south to study, and although I was great, it was also challenging. It was on a particularly challenging day that the chorus of this song came into my mind without me even thinking about it. I just started singing “My Lord and God, You are so rich in mercy…” It was just a gentle reminder from God that brightened up my day, and many days since.

7. Lead Me – Sanctus Real

For about a year I had this song as my alarm to wake me up. And for a year I woke up asking exactly what the song asks, “Father, lead me, cause I can’t do this alone.”

6. Be Strong and Courageous – Colin Buchanan

Although I love the depth of hymns, I also love the simplistic brilliance of kid’s songs, and in particular Colin Buchanan. I still sing the ba ba’s when I hear Isiah 53:6. But no matter your age I think this song can influence you.
I personally love how it isn’t loud and proud, as strength and courage is often represented, but instead it’s calm and points to someone greater. Because it is His strength that allows us to be strong and courageous.

5. Love Song for a Savior – Jars of Clay

You could play this song all day and I would still be singing and loving it. The acoustic guitar gives this song a raw feeling that I love. But it’s the words and melody that make this song the singable classic that it is. I really could sing the chorus all day, “I want to fall in love with You.”

4. Above All – Hymn

This song is mine. Whenever it’s played, whenever I sing it, it is mine. It reminds me of what Christ did for me, it’s personal. “And thought of me, above all.” And I am so thankful.
But that is not the only thing I remember with this song, I also think of Doctor Who. At the end of Series 2, the Doctor and Rose are separated, leading to a very emotionally broken Rose. It is this image of a crying, broken Rose that I think during the line, “Like a rose, trampled on the ground.”

3. Safe To Say – Playjerise

When I moved down south to study this song and album was on repeat for my first eight weeks. The song itself just spoke into my situation perfectly, “On my own, I know what I do; On my own, I’d be leaning on You; On my own, it’s safe to say I need strength to go.”

2. There Will Be A Day – Jeremy T Camp

I first heard of Jeremy Camp at the announcer training I did before I started my own radio show. From there I listened to all of his songs, and this one immediately stood out.
When you’ve experienced what at times seems like never ending pain and fear, the hope of a better place is so amazing. This song brought hope to many a day for me. But back when I first heard it I was missing the best part of it. Now that I put my full trust in Christ and his plan for my life I understand the last bit of the chorus, “But until that day, we hold on to You always.”

1. Never Let You Go – Manafest

I don’t think this is the greatest song, musically or lyrically, in this list, but it had by far the greatest influence on my life.
Back in 2012 I was so over run by fear, pain, and anxiety. No matter the situation these feelings would weigh me down. I remember a night when I felt totally alone, broken and on the floor in tears. It was a few days later when this song spoke into my life. The lyrics just spoke into my life so perfectly that I knew it had to be God. Since then I have been able to fully put my trust in God, it hasn’t been easy, but I’ll never regret it. God changed my life through this song and now I have peace in my situation. God has it under control.