Love has inspired countless songs, but the most powerful ones remind us what it means to love selflessly, faithfully, and with God at the center. Whether it’s Skylar Kaylyn’s “May I Have This Dance,” written as a promise of lifelong devotion, or Matthew West’s “Jesus and You,” a reflection on gratitude and grace, these songs capture the beauty of relationships that mirror divine love. From the excitement of engagement to the enduring strength of marriage and parenthood, they remind us that true love grows deeper when guided by faith. In this edition of Staff Voices, NewReleaseToday contributors share the relationship songs that have moved them most and the personal stories behind why they matter.
“May I Have This Dance” by Skylar Kaylyn
Skylar Kaylyn (Ferris) released a beautiful album titled "This is Love." I especially love her song "May I Have This Dance," written for her husband, Jason. The line “You bring out the best in me/finally the waiting is over” echoes my own journey of waiting for the one God had for me, and the ways we both bring out the best in each other. Skylar and Jason's love story is a true testament to God's faithfulness. - Janice Rigel-Henriquez
“Second To God” by Amanda Nolan
One of my favorite emerging artists, Amanda Nolan, released her first love song, "Second To God," in April 2024. This song has become one of my favorites about relationships, with its beautiful lyrics about finding someone who truly loves like Jesus and keeps Him first. Love is a wonderful thing, and I pray that I will find it someday. It's so important to find someone who puts God first and holds us second to Him. For new couples and even those married for many years, He's the perfect example of love and the love we're meant to show our significant other as we pursue Jesus together. - Bradden Ford
“Jesus and You” by Matthew West
One of my all-time favorite songs about relationships is "Jesus and You" by veteran musician Matthew West. Even though this song was released in 2017, it has stood the test of time. In fact, I wasn't a big fan when it first came out, and I would always skip it. But one day, I listened to the entire song, and it resonated with me in a completely new way. I listened to this song as if I had written it for my wife, and it hit me immediately. My favorite parts are this verse: "One is saving me for heaven, When I leave this world behind/And one gives me just a little taste when she holds me late at night/They both give grace, and it's amazing/They both have healing in their hands/And it ain't easy/But they're both making me a better man." And this part of the chorus: "When I think about the only things in life that pull me through/I hit my knees and thank the Lord/For Jesus and you." - Tommy G
“Happy Wedding Day (Alex's Song)” by Skillet
On paper, this might seem like an odd song to include in a list like this. After all, it's the song John Cooper, lead singer of popular rock band Skillet, wrote to sing to his daughter on her wedding day. However, delving deeper into the lyrics reveals that the song is just as much about his relationship with his wife, Korey Cooper. The song recounts the simple, everyday life on the road that made up the majority of Alex's childhood: "Me and mom were working at the speed of light/Trying to be parents, trying to live right/Guess we made it/And I wouldn't change a thing/We started out with dreams and love and nothing more/We ate from paper bags and we slept on the floor/Sometimes we weren't sure 'bout this adventure/But you made us so proud/I blinked, it went faster than a freight train."
Parenthood is one of the most defining achievements of Christian romantic relationships. It's one of the main reasons God established Holy Matrimony. And while it isn't the only aspect of Christian romantic relationships, it is vital. Raising a new generation in Christ is one of the noblest parts of our relationship. Parenthood is the area where humans get a small share in God's creative power. God could have chosen many ways to bring about new life, but He chose parenthood.
As a new father myself, this song came at the perfect time. While John Cooper sings this from his current perspective as the father of a newly married adult child, it has reminded me, as a new father, to cherish these small moments now and to appreciate this journey I am on from the beginning. And it's a journey I have a partner in: my wife. So, these memories and the life we’re building—together and with Christ—are precious. I think this song's reflection on the joys and occasional struggles of parenthood is an excellent reminder of actual relationship goals. Parents still together at their child's wedding, looking back on their lives, will see not just a story of parent and child, but a story of a husband and wife.
- J.J. Francesco
OpenAI's ChatGPT helped with this article. Assembled from all corners of North America and many other places in between, the NRTeam includes staff members whose energy is equally dedicated to loving and writing about the music they cherish.
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