Gospel music is religious at heart. Gospel means “good news,” and mentions of this good news is prevalent throughout the gospels of the New Testament of the Bible. The delivering of this good news has been a way to give strength to downtrodden people. As it has evolved, gospel style has branched out into non-religious music as well.
During the era of African slavery in America, Negro spirituals became popular among the enslaved people. Church services among slaves were often monitored, and slaves were forced to study certain Bible passages and sing certain hymns. This didn’t always stop secret meetings from taking place, and at those meetings traditional hymns started to evolve into what may be some of the earliest gospel songs.
More modern gospel pioneers include Thomas A. Dorsey, who has often been called the “father of gospel music.” Dorsey set out to combine his bouncing blues and jazz rhythms with religious messages. This angered a lot of religious people at first, but in time gospel music rose in popularity, and Dorsey, who was active in gospel from the late 1920s to his death in 1993, remained a driving force.
The themes of suffering and searching for hope are at the heart of gospel. Singers frequently sing about looking for salvation. This message is often related to God and how he can bring people from an unwanted place to a place of comfort. That need for a move from suffering to a place of comfort is prevalent in gospel music.
Mahalia Jackson is one of the most well-known gospel singers. In the 1960s, her emotional vocals landed her on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and she gave a stirring performance before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream.”
James Cleveland’s raspy voice helped him to win four Grammys and delight audiences. He remained a popular entertainer from the 1950s until his death in 1991.
Willie Mae Ford Smith often delivered a powerful sermon in addition to performing songs. Her soul-stirring physical performances won audiences over time and time again. She rose to prominence in the 1920s and was a popular figure until her death in 1994.
Among the more well-known and often performed gospel songs are: “There Will be Peace in the Valley,” “Drown in My Own Tears” and "Amazing Grace.” These embody the themes of gospel with their desire for salvation. "Amazing Grace" sums up that need in one of its most popular lines: "I once was lost, but now am found."