A song that comes to mind is Wings of a Dove by Madness, from the summer of 1983.
This is a Christian blog, so I could say hymns – any hymn, when I deeply reflect on it. But secular songs can put me in a good mood too. Most older songs bring me back in time. I spent 1983 working with London City Mission with over 20 other young voluntary evangelists. Any music from that year tends to lift my spirits. I was only 21 😀.
What’s unique about this one is that Madness weren’t a Christian group. Yet, it has a gospel feel to it. Non-believers might simply look up at the rooftops when they’re feeling down, but I can look higher. But it’s interesting how taking such a simple step can cause mood changes. I remember reading research indicating that the more you smile, the happier you’ll be. Both the body and the mind form habits, and sometimes these can be bad habits. And there are many simple trick to break the habits. But my deepest hope is looking to what life will be like when I depart and be with Christ.
Madness were joined by a Pentecostal gospel choir. Gospel choirs are quite popular in Ireland. I’m not sure if they’re all religious. I remember hearing one singing “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. I watched a documentary about Queen. and some other members of the group disliked it because it reminded them too much of Freddie Mercury’s adoption of a hedonistic lifestyle. It’s hardly the sort of song that a Christian choir should sing – unless they changed the lyrics 😀.
I don’t hear African American gospel music much in Irish evangelical circles. Maybe it’s out of fashion everywhere, but I am keen on checking it out. Christian music has so many different styles – everything from Handel’s Messiah to Christian punk. Yes it exists 😀. Perhaps Wings of a Dove is more calypso than African American, but many songs mix multiple genres. I once watched a show where someone said that African American music was influenced by Scottish folk hymns – particularly the call and response 😀
I generally like Christian music to feel a bit churchy. There are other “Wings of a Dove” songs that are more churchy than the Madness song, but the Madness one does lift my spirits:
Hibernia Gospel 