I thank God for the mountains,
I thank Him for the valleys
And I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through
‘Cause if I’d never had a problem
I’d never know that God could solve them
I’d never know what faith in His word can do.
-“Through It All” by Andrae crouch
I’d say he built all of us up, some a little, some, like me, an awful lot. Music permeates, after all, so when musicians birth great songs, they settle into our lives and literally become part of us. That’s why you can still remember tunes that got you through a rough time decades ago, or calmed you, or had you dancing around the room when no one was home. Powerful stuff, music, even more powerful when communicating vital truth.
And sometimes great music not only stands on its own, but it breaks new ground as well, paving the way for future artists who’ll build on it. So even if you’re unfamiliar with a significant songwriter from 50 years back, you’re probably benefitting from the gains he or she made, gains enabling the current artists you enjoy. That’s power, and rarely is that power more evident than in the musical legacy of Andrae Crouch.
As of Thursday, Andrae is officially absent from the body and present with Him. I never knew the man, but I sure knew his music, having been introduced to it in 1971 when a friend played me a recording of “I’ve Got Confidence.” I instantly became and remain an Andrae Crouch groupie, amassing all his records, banging out my own versions of his greatest hits on my piano, and, during my long-ago years of music ministry, joyfully accompanying a number of accomplished singers who tackled his stuff beautifully. If it came from Andrae, it was rich.
Not just musically, though the tunes were nothing if not terrific. Unfamiliar with Crouch’s stuff? OK, imagine a smooth blend of Motown, jazz, gospel and pop. Better yet, listen for yourself. Click onto “I Didn’t Think It Could Be” and just try resisting the groove. Do some soul searching with “Take me Back” , or let “Just Like He Said He Would” pump you up. The Crouch sound is magic.
Then there are the classics, songs so integral to Christian music they may as well be hymns: “The Blood Will Never Lose It’s Power” ; “Bless His Holy Name” ; and the man’s signature “My Tribute”, probably the best known of his many well-known, an anthem of personal thanksgiving so potent that it makes being a sinner saved by grace sound downright cool.
But his lyrics also stand out in an age when, hate to say it, we wonder if some music calling itself Christian has any connection to the Bible. We never wondered that about Andrae’s songs, which were unfailingly clever but never shied away from sound doctrine. His catalogue was no compromise, no nonsense stuff. “What Ya Gonna Do?” sent a warning to non-believers to get right with God, just like “What Does Jesus Mean to You?” slapped the faces of the lukewarm. “Lullaby of the Deceived” took on false teaching; “Soon and Very Soon” anticipated the Second Coming ; “Tell Them” reminded us that evangelism is a non-negotiable. Crouch was equally at home blessing our hearts or kicking our butts, and we loved him all the more for it.
What strikes me in particular, though, is the integrity he maintained throughout a 40-plus year span, regardless of the exposure or accolades, both Christian and secular. Everyone’s got his flaws and I’ve no doubt Andrae’s were intact, but the record on him seems to have been pretty favorable. He was a seven time Grammy award winner; composed music for the film The Color Purple; handled choral arrangements for 1994’s The Lion King, and was covered by or collaborated with the likes of Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Madonna, Elton John, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley, to name a few. But he remained Andrae, never to my knowledge backing down from clarity about himself or the gospel. His closing years, in fact, were spent co-pastoring his late father’s church, a fitting end to the life of a King-David like guy who could shepherd or sing, preach or compose.
“Just let me live my life”, he prayed in his oft-covered My Tribute, “and let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee. And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary.” Well, consider it done, Andrae. To God be the glory for the things He has done, both in you and through you. And to you be our deep appreciation for a life well lived, a stellar body of work, and gifts we’ll continue to draw strength from.
You did it, brother, and you did it with unusual class and amazing grace. So thanks for saying yes to a calling we all benefitted so much from. Now rest well and enjoy, until we see you again, soon and very soon.
