Changes

The 1980s saw Christian Rock shed its counterculture hippie image at the beginning of the decade and aim for the mainstream.  The "Jesus Music" label fell out of favor and newer styles like [[new wave]] and [[heavy metal]] started finding a foothold in Christian music.  Christian pop and [[adult contemporary]] also became a major music genre during the decade, led by [[Amy Grant]] and [[Michael W. Smith]].  Some bands from the 1970s who had seen some minor success suddenly became among the top tier of Christian Rock artists after 1980, led by Petra.  The label 'Contemporary Christian Music' came into usage during this time.

The 1980s saw Christian Rock shed its counterculture hippie image at the beginning of the decade and aim for the mainstream.  The "Jesus Music" label fell out of favor and newer styles like [[new wave]] and [[heavy metal]] started finding a foothold in Christian music.  Christian pop and [[adult contemporary]] also became a major music genre during the decade, led by [[Amy Grant]] and [[Michael W. Smith]].  Some bands from the 1970s who had seen some minor success suddenly became among the top tier of Christian Rock artists after 1980, led by Petra.  The label 'Contemporary Christian Music' came into usage during this time.

One of the more controversial new bands was [[Stryper]]. Stryper was far from the first Christian band to play heavy metal, having been preceded by bands like [[Agape]] (band)[[Jerusalem]] (band), and the [[Resurrection Band]], but what made Stryper controversial was appearing on stage in 80s [[Glam Metal]] garb complete with flashy yellow and black tight-fitting [[spandex]], posing on their album covers with an arsenal of high-tech rifles, and titles like ''To Hell With the Devil''.  Even worse to some critics, Stryper went on tour with controversial secular metal bands like [[Motley Crue]].  Another controversial artist was [[Steve Taylor]].  Like Stryper, Taylor was not the pioneer of his genre, in this case, Christian new wave musically similar to [[Devo]] and [[Oingo Boingo]]; but he attracted controversy because his lyrics used heavy sarcasm to make a point.  He repeatedly had to endure misunderstanding in the wake of such songs as "I Want To Be a Clone" and "Lifeboat"; and his song "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good" was even more controversial as Taylor found himself on the [[Oprah Winfrey]] show defending himself and having to explain the song's meaning to angry [[feminist]]s who didn't get the irony.

One of the more controversial new bands was [[Stryper]]. Stryper was far from the first Christian band to play heavy metal, having been preceded by bands like [[Agape]] (band)[[Jerusalem]] (band), and the [[Resurrection Band]], but what made Stryper controversial was appearing on stage in 80s [[Glam Metal]] garb complete with flashy yellow and black tight-fitting [[spandex]], posing on their album covers with an arsenal of high-tech rifles, and titles like ''To Hell With the Devil''.  Even worse to some critics, Stryper went on tour with controversial secular metal bands like [[Motley Crue]].  Another controversial artist was [[Steve Taylor]].  Like Stryper, Taylor was not the pioneer of his genre, in this case, Christian new wave musically similar to [[Devo]] and [[Oingo Boingo]]; but he attracted controversy because his lyrics used heavy sarcasm to make a point.  He repeatedly had to endure misunderstanding in the wake of such songs as "I Want To Be a Clone" and "Lifeboat"; and his song "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good" was even more controversial as Taylor found himself on the [[Oprah Winfrey]] show defending himself and having to explain the song's meaning to angry [[feminist]]s who didn't get the irony.

Another trend in the 1980s was similar to that of the 1970s, many secular rock bands discovering Jesus as subject matter for their songs. [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]] were obviously in the forefront of this, not the least because some members of Kansas really had converted to Christianity.  Other 1980s artists notable either for using Christian themes or for one or more members professing a Christian faith include [[U2]], [[Mr. Mister]], [[Simple Minds]], [[The Call]], [[The Alarm]], [[After the Fire]], [[Kajagoogoo]], [[T-Bone Burnett]], and much later in the decade, [[King's X]].

Another trend in the 1980s was similar to that of the 1970s, many secular rock bands discovering Jesus as subject matter for their songs. [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]] were obviously in the forefront of this, not the least because some members of Kansas really had converted to Christianity.  Other 1980s artists notable either for using Christian themes or for one or more members professing a Christian faith include [[U2]], [[Mr. Mister]], [[Simple Minds]], [[The Call]], [[The Alarm]], [[After the Fire]], [[Kajagoogoo]], [[T-Bone Burnett]], and much later in the decade, [[King's X]].