Wondering what Christian music kids like? Same here. Years ago, I surveyed youth leaders, asking which Christian and worship songs today’s kids enjoy…and would play for their friends.
The response was overwhelming. And the key word was variety. According to the comments, common denominators among the artists were clear. Kids said they liked Lecrae, Hillsong, 21 Pilots, For King and Country, Skillet, and more.
Yet participants also said kids’ musical tastes vary…and awkwardly. Sometimes people don’t see beyond the tribes they have contact with. For example, someone made a derogatory comment about Skillet. I’d agree that Skillet doesn’t have a mainstream sound. Nothing in the top 50 songs on Billboard Hot 100 sounds anything like Skillet.
But does that mean kids these days don’t like Skillet? I’ve encountered kids all over the U.S. who like Skillet’s sound. (And according to my survey, so have many youth leaders.)
Christian Music Kids Like: Know That Tastes Vary
Sometimes people don’t realize that tastes vary beyond their own circles of influence.
A youth worker share a similar complaint … but from a completely different perspective. She questioned me for using a Justin Bieber song to provoke biblical discussion. She said it wasn’t relevant because, and I quote, “Kids today just don’t listen to Bieber!” Really?
What she should have said was, “I don’t hear my kids listening to anything like Bieber.” Maybe in her church, or even in her town, kids don’t like Bieber. She might personally think “kids today just don’t listen to Bieber.” But his music sales, YouTube views and chart ranking show otherwise.
I’m sorry if you don’t like his sound or his offstage antics—teens still love him! Those are the kinds of artist we often refer to on our free music discussion page (which we plan on writing much more on in the recent future!).
My point is this: Don’t assume “all kids are like this” just because “your kids are like this.” Yes, on one hand I really strive to keep my thumb on the pulse of the mainstream influences kids are listening to and watching. At the same time, I don’t discount that individual “tribes” have varied tastes.
Examples of Christian Music Kids Like
So which of these Christian songs have a mainstream sound? In other words, which sound to what most kids are listening to today?
The easiest answer is, anything by Twenty One Pilots. That’s simply because they are actually on the charts. And they are uniquely accepted by kids with all kinds of musical taste.
Lecrae also has a mainstream sound, gaining secular airplay, being recognized by secular personalities and played in secular venues. Songs like “I’m Turnt” would be accepted in most teen venues today.
Hollyn also boasts a mainstream sound, with songs like “Alone.” She provides a sound not unlike many in the Hot 100 today. (Count how many “raspy voiced” females sing like Sia, accompanied by powerful base on the downbeat and a finger snap on the up.)
I also have to give props to The Afters with their song “Live on Forever.” Their sound is probably most similar to secular bands like One Republic or Coldplay, who both are no strangers to the top of the charts.
Then there are anomalies in the Christian music world like Crowder. I can’t tell you for the life of me why his songs make it other than they are simply amazing! He can write an unashamedly Christian worship song (Like “Lift Your Head Weary Sinner”) … and it’s remarkable every time, resonating with a broad audience. Good stuff.
Other Christian music kids like varies in popularity by taste. You have hip-hop, grunge, and screamo (a genre I will never understand).
My advice: Know the ears of the kids you work with. I’m just happy to see really strong music options that speak truth in a world where lies are so abundant.
What can you add to the list of Christian music kids like? Please share insights in the comments below.
