If you’ve been reading this website recently, you’ll have likely noticed the series on Christian Creatives I’ve been putting out. Up this week is a personal favorite of mine. I’ve listened to his music literally my whole life, and have always enjoyed his succinct and poetic lyrics, as well his penchant for tuning his guitar in the wackiest of ways.
So without further ado, let’s talk about Andy Gullahorn.
Note: This post is one of a series on creativity in Christian music. If you haven’t yet, check out “The Problem with Christian Music,” which started the series, or click here to read about previous artists.
With elements of folk-rock emanating through his Texas upbringing and Nashville education, Andy Gullahorn uses his lyrics to bring the everyday and events that many would find uninspiring or repetitive to life.
Andy’s talent lies within his ability to draw you into a song, disarm you, and then hit you with a sucker-punch of a lyric that makes you stop singing and realize the words you just listened to. It’s a good ol’ one-two that you don’t see coming, and when it hits, you aren’t even upset that he hit you so hard.
One of my favorite songs of Andy’s, “If I Were” exemplifies this practice of his very well.
If I were the devil I wouldn't wear red. I wouldn't have horns or a pitchfork. I wouldn't breathe fire cause it might give me away. But if I were the devil you'd never know. I'd befriend you quick and corrupt you slow so you don't notice until it's far too late.
It’s a good song to listen to, and you don’t think about the lyrics that much, and then Andy builds up to this fast one:
No I'm not the devil but if I was, I'd take God's people and split them up to keep their minds off who they're called to be. So they're no longer fighting over living or dead its is it the body or just bread while all the unfed die hungry on the street. If I were the devil, If I were the devil
And then all of a sudden you are sitting in silence, waiting for the next line to drop, all while thinking about the global Church and your view of the world.
Andy walks the delicate high wire between songs that burrow deep into your soul and songs that make you want to laugh about the ironic circumstances he puts forward.
Aside from songs that convict you when you least expect it, Andy also does an amazing job of writing songs that have a distinct and witty humor on the most mundane of subjects. While his song “Roast Beef” is a personal favorite (about a friend who lost the middle/”roast beef” toe, as in “this little piggy went to market,” in a freak lawn-mowing accident), Andy’s humor can be highlighted in his song “Teenagers,” in which he laments the purpose of teenagers:
But who else could protect us From having fun in public From wearing things that might be out of style And who else could remind us Our best years are behind us Not getting any younger We're dying When they're not eating, they're just trying to help Sometimes it's hard to beat yourself up by yourself
Or “Skinny Jeans,” where he talks about how he’ll never become famous because he can’t resign himself to wear skinny jeans…
And I wanna hang out with celebrities Who are singing my songs But apparently my strategy is failing me And I think I know what's wrong I don't wanna wear those skinny jeans So maybe there's no hope for me I don't wanna wear those skinny jeans How can they even breathe?
Something I love about Andy’s music is the level of scriptural imagery and themes he manages to weave through his music. One of the songs of his that I will listen to (regardless of the season, which considering it was written as a Christmas song, is pretty big for me) is his song “I Will Find A Way,” which first appeared on his and Jill Phillips’ (his wife) Christmas album from 2010.
At the end of this run down tenement hall Is the room of a girl I know She cowers behind all the dead bolt locks Afraid of the outside world So how should I come to the one I love? I will find a way
The song, written from the perspective of God, tells the story of Mary in a way I had not previously heard. Mary is depicted as a sad and lonesome victim, cowering in the corner of a room. To knock on the door, let alone come crashing in, is to invite destruction to roost. What is God to do?
How should I come to the one I love? I will find a way No hiding place ever kept her safe So she hides inside herself Now to reach her heart the only way Is to hide in there as well I will hide in there as well She gave up on love waiting for a change But a change is coming soon How could she not love the helpless babe Who is waking in her womb? I have found a way, I have found a way
The portrayal of Mary as a victim in need of saving parallels the imagery of the world in need of saving. In this song, Christ came to Mary in much the same way He came to the world – in a totally unexpected way, but in a way that feels much more right than bashing in the door with trumpets blaring. Christ came quietly at first, unsuspecting, before later saying something that would change the whole viewpoint of those who were listening.
I believe that Andy works to do the same. Pulling you in with a message or a story, he builds upon it and forces you to see the topic in a new way or new light. He delivers profound truths with astonishing levels of humility and humor.
All in all, Andy Gullahorn writes beautifully poetic songs that equally tear your heart open and have you laughing from the wild circumstances described. That’s one of the reasons I have always enjoyed listening to his music. If you want more to listen to, here’s a sampling of his work:
If you want to listen to any more, check out Andy Gullahorn’s website, his Spotify, or this Youtube playlist. I’d highly recommend it.
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