Top 10 Sanctus Real Songs Of All Time

There are so many great bands that are already established in their careers and it seems every time you turn around a new band has arrived on the scene.  During a booming time in the Christian music industry there are several bands that now stand out as "elite" and I feel Sanctus Real is up there with the very best of them.  They were formed in Toledo, OH in 1996, and signed with Sparrow Records in 2002.  They have since had 5 major studio releases with a sixth arriving February 5, 2013 titled "Run".  Here is a list of what i consider to be their top 10, but with so many hits this was a tough selection to make.

"The Truth" Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart

  • Matt Hammitt – lead vocalist

  • Chris Rohman – guitar

  • Pete Prevost – guitar, banjo, piano

  • Dan Gartley – bass and bells

  • Mark Graalman – drums

Albums:  "Say it Loud", "Fight the Tide", "The Face of Love", "We Need Each Other", "Pieces of a Heart", "Run"

Honorable Mention- Everything About You, Whatever You're Doing, We Need Each Other, Beautiful Day, Don't Give Up

10.  The Face of Love

This is the title track off of their third album.  This song tells us that we need to know Jesus in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Favorite Lyric- "You've been portrayed a thousand different ways.  But my heart can see you better than my eyes."

9. I'm Not Alright

Love these lyrics, because no matter where I am at in a day however good or bad, Jesus is always there unchanging and steadfast.

Favorite Lyrics-  "All I go through, it leads me to you."

8. The Fight Song

I selected these lyrics because I am reminded to treasure loved ones and the precious little time we actually get with them.

Favorite Lyrics: "My foolish words got in the way of us being friends.  Wake up!  Make up!  Can't we get along again."

7. All of Me

Lead singer Matt Hammitt and his wife Sarah have 4 children altogether but their third child Bowen was born in 2010 with "hypoplastic left heart syndrome", his first surgery was days after birth and during this time Matt wrote this song "All of Me" about his son.

Favorite Lyrics- "Cause you're worth every falling tear, you're worth facing any fears, you're gonna know all my love."

"The Truth" Luke 18:27 But he said, What is impossible with man is possible with God.

6. Forgiven

These are great lyrics because it reminds us that we ourselves should not judge others and there is nobody that is too lowly for Christ to accept should they choose to believe.

Favorite Lyrics: "I am reminded of the wrong that I have said and done.  And that devil just won't let me forget. In this life I know what I've been.  But here in your arms I know what I am, I'm forgiven.

5. Keep My Heart Alive

These words grab our attention because we are all guilty of it.  Getting lost in the chores and duties of the day and forgetting whose path we are following and why.

Favorite Lyrics:  "I'm so tired of chasing the moment, instead of chasing you."

4. Shining

This is also at the top of my favorite Christmas Christian songs. This song makes me think about how appropriate the word "Miracle" is for the birth of Jesus, and how we should truly rejoice.

Favorite lyrics: "He came just like he promised." "God became man, they could reach and touch his hands."

3. Promises

Coach Bobby Bowden once said in an interview that he believes in the world of sports the most underutilized preparation tool was the Holy Bible.  This is God's Holy word poured out on paper for us, when someone questions God and his existence, how can they do so if they have never opened the Bible?  When I was a kid before I truly knew Christ I used to get goosebumps from exciting sports games.  Now I get goosebumps from God's word or anything that glorifies it.

Favorite Lyrics:  "Just open up the pages, let his words be your strength."

2. The Redeemer

Who hasn't said this first set of lyrics to themselves at some point?  Our bonus set tells of how we all have some degree of regret but it's still okay to dream big and rely on the divine power of God.

Favorite Lyrics: "Sometimes I just want to start over 'Cause everything looks like a wreck."

Bonus Favorite Lyric: "Dreams that have slipped through my hands, I may never get back again.  But I'm still a dreamer, a believer.  Oh I've lost my faith in so many things but I still believe in you, cause you can make anything new."

1. Lead Me

These ones get me every time because I do have a beautiful wife and this speaks of God's plan for the man to rise up and take responsibility as the head of the family.  And these lyrics also speak to a couple's eternal love for one another as is necessary in any lasting marriage.

Favorite Lyrics:"In picture frames I see my beautiful wife always smiling, but on the inside I can hear her saying Lead Me."  "Show me your willing to fight that I'm still the love of your life." 

Song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real

"The Truth" Ecclesiastes 7:13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

So as you can see Sanctus Real has an arsenal of hits and there is no end in sight.  I would expect this list to double in size before it's all said and done.  They have already received two Grammy Award Nominations for Best Rock Gospel Album and Best Contemporary/Pop Gospel Album.  Lead singer Matt Hammitt has such a distinct voice you can always tell it's Sanctus Real as soon as you hear them.  Having also experienced the hard trials that they go through with their son has certainly deepened their faith.  They have made some very powerful lyric driven material that I'm sure has changed lives.

If you know of a hit that I have left off the list here please leave it in the comments below

God Bless!

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