Is the 80’s Sound Coming Back to Christian Music?

by Alaina Goode

April 28, 2025
3 minute read

Pull out those legwarmers… the 80s are back.

And it’s not just the phenomenon of Stranger Things—reboots of Top Gun, or fashion trends that have yet to fade like oversized denim jackets and scrunchies. It’s crystal clear the 80s are not going anywhere any time soon. And now, it’s spilling over into Christian music too.

Recently, Michael W. Smith — an artist who absolutely thrived in the 80s — dropped his latest song, “Arms Around the Sun.” And honestly? It’s full-out 80s. From the shimmering synths to the colorful, spunky music video, to the bright vocal patterns — this song is a love letter to the decade. Fun fact: Jonathan Roumie (aka Jesus from The Chosen) played drums on it!

Hearing this got my gears turning… Is the 80s sound making a comeback in contemporary Christian music?

Spoiler alert: I think it is. And I’ve got some receipts.

The OGs Are Leaning In

The mullet men who rose to fame in the 80s, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, are not shying away but embracing the era that made them icons. Michael’s latest work feels like a sequel to his classic hits, proving that tracks like “Place in This World” still hold up. (That’s why he remastered it with for KING + COUNTRY without the key change.)

Steven Curtis Chapman, too, has hinted at sonic nods to the 80s in his more recent songs, blending timeless storytelling with retro textures- a recent example and one of my favs, “Do It Again” which he wrote with his sons.

New Artists, Retro Vibes

I think I should make it clear, in my humble opinion three waves of Christian music are gaining popularity: Country (cue Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah“), what I call “Worship Wave” (that’s your Elevation, Maverick City, Bethel, insert any other church name here), and this spunky 80s sound in contemporary Christian music.

Even though it’s not blatantly 80s, in Jeremy Camp’s song “These Days” the tiny riff with the muffled/autotuned shout in the middle sounds just like early samplers and gated reverb trend from the 80s.  Katy Nichole’s ballad “When I Fall” could easily fit into a Heart album from the 80s. The lush piano, soaring keys, and her heartfelt, belty delivery bring to mind the dramatic ballads that dominated the decade.

And then there’s for KING + COUNTRY, who are practically modern ambassadors for the cinematic 80s sound. Their hit “joy.” opens with a synth riff reminiscent of Toto’s biggest tracks.

Joel and Luke literally made a rendition of a U2 song for the “House of David” biblical drama. And it was completely on brand for them!

Why the 80s Sound Works

So, what makes the 80s sound so timeless? It’s all about the layers.

  • Synths and Keyboards: The 80s was the golden age of synthesizers, and their warm, ethereal tones, and this longing for nostalgia.

  • Dramatic Ballads: The 80s mastered the art of a powerful, emotional ballad. Today’s Christian artists, specifically the women of Christian music, are tapping into that same energy that resonates deeply with listeners.

  • Rhythmic Drums and Big Melodies: The percussion of the 80s was bold and simple, and modern tracks like Michael W. Smith’s latest single embrace that rhythm to drive the music.

Music: The Universal Time Machine

Music has this incredible way of bridging gaps between generations. It’s a universal language, after all.

A few weeks ago, I went to a Forrest Frank concert with my best friend and her mom. Watching her mom dance alongside teenagers reminded me that music doesn’t belong to one age group. On the ride home, she asked if she should feel weird about loving his music, given its younger fanbase. My answer? Absolutely not.

Christian music has grown so much since the 80s, expanding into genres that didn’t even exist back then. But the core of what makes music powerful—connecting hearts and telling stories—remains unchanged. The resurgence of the 80s sound is a beautiful reminder that history repeats itself, not out of lack of innovation, but because some things are simply too good to leave behind.

So, I’m choosing to embrace the 80s renaissance in Christian music. And I’m grateful that I get to hear generations of music along the way.

How Well Do You Know 80s Christian Music? | Song Battle ft. Steven Curtis Chapman & Chonda Pierce 
Latest posts by Alaina Goode (see all)
00:00 / 00:00