Some people hunt or fish. Others play golf or pickleball. I create playlists. It started when I did a radio show in college. It continued through radio gigs in California, Virginia and Arkansas. Now it’s for my own enjoyment. My daughter Grace thought some of you might like to hear some themed playlists just for fun. So here’s the first.
They will be topical and include music from various genres, decades and styles. Some might sound strange to you. I think that’s a good thing. Feel free to share them, and let me know what you think. The playlists will be posted on social media with inside information here on the Firefall International blog.
Crank it up, dude!
Playlist #1: Heaven
More on each song
I Shall See God — Roby Duke: This beautiful song about seeing the face of Jesus in heaven was composed by my friend Roby Duke only months before his untimely and unexpected death. He stepped through the door where time is no more. I’m impacted each time I listen to it.
All My Tears — Selah & Kim Hill: When we step into eternity, what’s left behind pales in comparison to what’s ahead. What’s left behind, it don’t matter.
The Setting Sun — Switchfoot: There is a longing in each of us for eternity. C.S. Lewis wrote much about this longing. Switchfoot's power pop song reminds us of our desire to be home somewhere past the setting sun. I think Jon Forman has read a lot of Lewis.
Absent From The Flesh — Sojourn: The Apostle Paul was conflicted. He wanted to stay alive and help new disciples, but he also wanted to be with Jesus. “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” This song by Sojourn takes Paul’s words as a springboard to sing about the transition to where God and glory shine.
When the Long Road Ends — Paul Thorn: Before we leave this life, we can reflect on our legacy, or what we will leave behind when we go. These are Paul Thorn’s thoughts about looking back at valued relationships when the long road ends.
Heaven is My Home — The Soul Stirrers: I’ve been a student of Black Gospel music, especially from the 1930s to 1960s. For those who had a hard life, heaven was a prominent theme. It was a promise of better things to come. The Soul Stirrers were one of the great male vocal groups of their era.
I Will Move On Up A Little Higher — Mahalia Jackson: Mahalia Jackson is my favorite female vocalist. This is one of her signature songs. Enjoy joining her in this tour of heaven. She’s there now where it’s always howdy, howdy and never goodbye. Will you be there? She’ll be waiting somewhere round the altar.
When I Go Away — Levon Helm: Levon Helm was drummer and vocalist of The Band (earlier called Levon and the Hawks). He helped define what is now called “Americana,” a music genre that combines traditional, rock and country music. Listen for the part in this song where the instruments drop out and the layered vocals stand on their own over Levon’s backbeat.
Where the Soul of Man Never Dies — Ricky Skaggs & Tony Rice: In traditional Appalachian (later bluegrass), the theme of heaven was prominent. Life was hard in the mountains, too. This song has been recorded by dozens of artists, but Skaggs and Rice capture the instrumentation and high lonesome vocals common in bluegrass.
Heaven — Gungor: We usually talk of going to heaven, but that won’t always be true as we think of it. The apostle John speaks of a new heaven and a new earth, the New Jerusalem “coming down” as God’s dwelling place with his people (see Revelation 21). Gungor reminds us of this perspective.
When He Returns — Bob Dylan: I get it. Even though Bob Dylan’s voice has been part of the musical wallpaper of my life, for many, it’s an acquired taste. Still these lyrics are some of the most moving I know. This playlist is about heaven, but overarching heaven and hell, time and eternity is the consummation of all things — when Jesus returns. Accompanied by piano alone, Dylan’s lyrical genius and grasp of biblical witness is at its zenith. Would you agree?
