The Top Ten Righteous Pop Songs

We all know the classics: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye, “Imagine” by John Lennon. But what about the righteous pop songs of today? Here are our top ten picks.

Introduction

The term “Righteous” has been co-opted by some people in the music industry to describe a certain kind of religious pop song. You know the ones I’m talking about: they generally have an upbeat message, and they’re almost always performed by artists with some connection to Christianity.

There’s nothing wrong with these songs per se, but I feel like they’re getting a bit too much attention these days. So, in the interest of diversity, I’ve compiled a list of ten pop songs that feature positive messages but aren’t necessarily about religion. I hope you enjoy them!

“We Are the World”- Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie

This song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones. It was released on February 7, 1985, as a single from the album We Are the World. The song was a massive success, raising over $63 million for famine relief in Africa. “We Are the World” won multiple Grammy Awards and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.

“Heal the World”- Michael Jackson

“Heal the World” is a song co-written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced by Jackson and recorded for his eighth studio album, Dangerous. The song was released in 1992 as the fifth single from the album. It was written after witnessing a young boy being shot in Baltimore, Marylandicon_savedeal_savedand was inspired by the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. “Heal the World” incorporates elements of pop, gospel and soul. Lyrically, it is a call for unity and an end to greed, poverty and war.

The song was a commercial success; it topped charts in thirteen countries including the Hot 100 in the United Statesicon_checkmark_alt2where it became Jackson’s eleventh number-one single. It peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart becoming Jackson’s second highest charting single in Britain at the time (after “Black or White”). In 2004, Rolling Stone placed “Heal the World” at number 24 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time; it also appeared on similar lists by Pitchfork Media and Vibe magazine. “Heal the World” has been covered by multiple artists including Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber and Beyoncé.

“What’s Going On”- Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” is a song that is as relevant today as it was when it was first released in 1971. A beautiful, soulful ballad with a message of love and understanding, “What’s Going On” speaks to the injustice and inequality that still plagues our world. With its gentle piano melody and Gaye’s stunning vocals, this song is a reminder that we all need to work together to make things right.

“We Shall Overcome”- Mahalia Jackson

This song is a civil rights anthem that has been recorded by numerous artists over the years. Mahalia Jackson’s version is widely considered to be the definitive version of the song.

“Respect”- Aretha Franklin

“Respect” is a song written and originally released by Otis Redding in 1965. The song became a 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin. The music in the two versions is significantly different, and through a few years of covers and re-releases the song was associated with both Redding and Franklin.

Aretha Franklin’s version of “Respect” was a number one hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 1967. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1968, including Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, which it won, becoming her first Grammy. “Respect” is considered one of the greatest songs of all time. It was added to the National Recording Registry in 2002, Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll in 2004, and ranked number five on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

“A Change is Gonna Come”- Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” is a song with a message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. The lyrics were written by Cooke in response to the racially charged atmosphere of the early 1960s, and they speak to the struggles of both black and white Americans at that time. The song was released in December 1964, just months after the Civil Rights Act was passed, and it quickly became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. Today, “A Change is Gonna Come” is widely considered to be one of the greatest pop songs ever written, and it remains an important part of American culture.

“People Get Ready”- The Impressions

“People Get Ready” is a song written by Curtis Mayfield and released as a single by his group The Impressions in 1965. The single peaked at #3 on the Billboard R&B chart, #14 on the Billboard Pop chart, and #28 on the UK Singles Chart. “People Get Ready” was ranked #411 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 1999, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The song has been covered by many artists, including Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder,Whitney Houston and many others.

“Imagine”- John Lennon

“Imagine” is a song by English musician John Lennon from his 1971 album of the same name. The best-selling single of his solo career, its lyrics encourage the listener to imagine a world at peace without the barriers of borders or the divisions of religion and nationality.

“Let it Be”- The Beatles

“Let it Be” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, released on 6 March 1970 as a single, and as the title track of their album Let It Be. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney.

With its purchase, the song became the only single ever released by the Beatles before their breakup in April 1970 to become number 1 in both the United States and Britain when issued as a standalone single. In May 1987, “Let It Be” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The track was recorded in January 1969 during the Get Back sessions and originally released in May of that year as part of an aborted documentary project called Let It Be. A second version, with a different arrangement by George Martin, was included on their final album Abbey Road released later that year.

The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Ray Charles, James Brown, Willie Nelson, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Aretha Franklin; Dionne Warwick; Barbra Streisand; Bobby Womack; Shirley Bassey; Joe Cocker; Neil Diamond; Patsy Cline; Johnny Mathis … In 2004, “Let It Be” was ranked at number 20 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.