The Best of 1980s Gospel Music

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Introduction
The Beginnings of Contemporary Gospel Music
The 1980s Gospel Music Explosion
The Best of 1980s Gospel Music
Conclusion

Looking for the best of 1980s gospel music? Look no further than our list of the top 10 songs of the decade. From classics like “Oh Happy Day” to more modern hits like “Shout to the Lord,” these are the songs that defined the genre in the 1980s.

Introduction

The 1980s was a fruitful era for Gospel music. New stars emerged and Jazz, Funk, and Pop beats became mainstream in the genre. This decade saw the increase of Gospel music on television and in film. Great strides were made to make the music more accessible to listeners outside of the church. The following is a list of some of the best Gospel songs of the 1980s.

The Beginnings of Contemporary Gospel Music

The 1980s saw the beginnings of contemporary gospel music. Gospel artists began to use more secular sounds and styles, fusing them with traditional gospel to create a new sound. One of the first and most successful groups to emerge from this new genre was The Winans. The group, which consisted of brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael, and Ronald Winans, combined traditional gospel with elements of R&B and soul to create a unique sound that appealed to both gospel and secular audiences. The group went on to release a number of successful albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including their self-titled debut album, The Winans, which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Other notable contemporary gospel artists from the 1980s include Shirley Caesar, Albertina Walker, Richard Smallwood, Andrae Crouch, James Cleveland, and Commissioned. These artists helped to pioneer the sound of contemporary gospel music and paved the way for future artistes in the genre.

The 1980s Gospel Music Explosion

The early 1980s saw a tremendous explosion in the popularity of gospel music. After decades of being relegated to the margins of American popular culture, gospel artists suddenly found themselves in the mainstream, selling millions of records and winning multiple Grammy Awards. The “gospel music explosion” not only changed the sound of gospel music, but also had a profound impact on American society.

The most important development of the 1980s gospel music explosion was the rise of contemporary gospel. Prior to the 1980s, most gospel music was performed in the so-called “traditional” style, with large choirs and orchestras accompanying soloists. Contemporary gospel, by contrast, featured smaller groups or even just soloists accompanied by keyboards and drums. This new style was more adapted to popular tastes and helped to make gospel music more accessible to a wider audience.

Another important development of the 1980s was the rise of black Gospel radio stations. These radio stations played a critical role in promoting contemporary Gospel music and helping it to reach a wider audience.

The 1980s also saw the rise of “crossover” artists who achieved success both within and outside the Gospel music world. The most successful of these crossover artists was probably Amy Grant, who had huge hits with both secular and Christian audiences. Other successful crossover artists included Michael W. Smith and Sandi Patty.

The 1980s were a truly transformational decade for Gospel music. The genre emerged from the margins to become one of the most popular musical styles in America. And while some purists may have mourned the loss of traditional Gospel music, there is no doubt that the1980s were a Golden Age for Gospel music.