Melodies with a Message: Why Lyrics Are Never Just Words

Lyrics are more than lines—they’re beliefs set to melody. This post explores the hidden impact of songwriting, especially in faith-based music, and why artists must handle their words with care. Because what we sing, we often start to believe.

6/17/20252 min read

selective focus photography of woman reading book while sitting at bench

selective focus photography of woman reading book while sitting at bench

The other day, I stumbled across a hilarious clip from Kevin Fredericks—aka KevOnStage—during his Life from the Back Pew tour. In it, he pokes fun at how both CCM and gospel music sometimes go full throttle into self-condemnation—all in the name of worship.

And look, the joke? Spot on. I couldn't stop laughing!

But beneath the humor lies a deeper truth: lyrics matter. Deeply.

Take a moment and really hear this:

“Burn me beautiful, burn me lovely, burn me righteous, burn me holy”
— Refiner, Maverick City (2019)

Or:

“I admit it was hard to see You being in love with someone like me”
— Imagine Me, Kirk Franklin (2005)

These aren’t just poetic laments. They echo a theology that suggests we're inherently broken—so flawed that everything we are must be erased before we’re lovable. It’s not just a melody; it’s a mantra. One that sings shame into the soul.

Now, I’ll leave the theological debates to the scholars. My concern is this: when you set something to music, it takes root.

Lyrics don’t just entertain—they embed. They loop in our heads, whisper during hard moments, shout in joy, linger in grief. A chorus can become a creed. A verse, a worldview.

That’s why songwriting—especially in faith spaces—carries a sacred weight.

Even if you’re not writing for a Christian audience, the impact remains. When there's no official doctrine guiding your pen, you're freer, yes—but that freedom is still a form of responsibility. You’re shaping hearts and minds with every bar, hook, and bridge.

In today’s music world, there’s room for everyone. The gates are wide open. But in the rush to be heard, don’t forget the depth of your voice. There’s power in your pen. So write with care—not for perfection, but for truth. For resonance.

Because one day, your lyrics might be someone’s comfort on a bad day…
Or the words they whisper when they look in the mirror…
Or that song that plays in the background when they start to believe in themselves again.

The pen is mighty, friends. Wield it with love.

Until next time,

Orianna Joy