This year, we celebrate thirty years of music from my favorite band of all time, Jars of Clay. Few artists have left such a lasting imprint on my life and listening habits, and even fewer have managed to sustain such a unique balance between consistency and creativity. From the beginning, Jars of Clay refused to be boxed in. They never made the same album twice, yet somehow always sounded like themselves. Their songs are rooted in an acoustic core, but each record adds new textures and colors. Whether 80's electronica, string quartets, rock grit, folk warmth, americana, or indie alt-rock, they wove it all together with a careful attention to detail that rewards close listening.

What has always drawn me in most, though, are the themes at the heart of their lyrics. Jars of Clay write about seeking and doubt, love and love lost, the weight of brokenness, and the ache of eternity. Their music has been both a mirror and a companion, helping me name things I couldn't put into words. That's why celebrating thirty years of their art feels so meaningful -- it's a chance to revisit the journey, honor their boldness in sound and spirit, and reflect on how their songs have shaped me. So, I got an idea, and invited some friends and fellow fans to join me. The Top 30 list below is our attempt to honor the legacy of Jars of Clay.

Lastly, in case you missed it before you hit the Top 30 below, check out this incredible background on the band and the debut album written by JFH Staffer Evan Dickens. And you can also check out Christopher Smith's blog, "10 Jars of Clay Deep Cuts"

We hope you'll follow along, share your favorites, and join us in celebrating three decades of music that continues to resonate with honesty, beauty, and depth. -- Josh Balogh

Leave your list in the comments below!

Big thanks to contributors:

John DiBiase (JFH Founder, Editor)
Alex Caldwell (JFH Staff)
John Underdown (JFH Staff)
Michael Weaver (JFH Staff)
Christopher Smith (JFH Staff)
Evan Dickens (JFH Staff)
David Martin - (murlough23.Wordpress.com)
Eric McClanahan
Phil Lytle (Ramblingeveron.com)
Mike Harvat (Podcast on a Stick: A Jars of Clay Fan Podcast Co-host)
Lachlan Meurer (Australia's Biggest Christian Music fan)

30. "Headphones," The Long Fall Back to Earth (2009)

Jars of Clay's love song for an accessory is one of the best on The Long Fall Back to Earth. For the music-lover, it's easy to appreciate the subject matter here, and, to be honest, I may enjoy this song more for the subject than the actual music and melodies. That's not to say "Headphones" isn't a good song, but for me personally, it's elevated by its relatability. -Eric McClanahan

29. "Fall Asleep," Inland (2013)

Pure. Achingly gorgeous. Pleading. Heartbreaking. Perhaps no song better captures the themes contained on the 2013 album, Inland. The odyssey of relationships, be they vertical or horizontal ones; the loneliness, sacrifice, and draw of love are all here, wrapped in a tender piano ballad. The crickets and sounds of nature that open and close the track are in stark contrast to the lyrics keying in on the protagonist being pulled from the woods to the city lights -- those lights, or idols if you will, and the dreams of collecting "planes, and cars, and cities." -Josh Balogh

28. "Sinking," Jars of Clay (1995)

Jars of Clay's debut was huge for me as a 12-year-old just finding my way in youth group and discovering new music. It was even an album my parents enjoyed listening to as it wasn't too "heavy." "Sinking" has always been a massive favorite for me. Musically and lyrically the song just hits. It's the perfect representation of the Jars' "acoustic rock sound" and the lyrics still resonate today. While I don't doubt God, there are certainly times when I play the convincing role and try to do it on my own. Thankfully, God sees through those lies and calls me back to His forever healing. -Michael Weaver

27. "Amazing Grace," Who We Are Instead (2003)

For a long time, Who We Are Instead was my favorite Jars of Clay album. (You can read more about my journey with the band in the introduction of this article here, Jars of Clay: The Top 30 Songs, if you are interested). "Amazing Grace" was a big reason why. I love the Southern Rock vibes, and the splashes of organ are simply divine. It's soulful and comforting in all the ways that speak directly to my heart. -Phil Lytle

26. "The Valley Song (I Will Sing)," Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage (2003)

This is exactly what I want from a worship song. First, it's singable. I can hum or sing that chorus all day long. Second, the lyrics are honest and poignant, never whitewashing pain and struggle, but always pointing to the greatness of God's love and mercy. Finally, the song sounds amazing. Clear instrumentation and vocals that are not hidden in the mix. If most worship music sounded like this, I would listen to worship music much more often. -Phil Lytle

25. "Overjoyed," Much Afraid (1997)

Much Afraid is my favorite album of the 90s, and for quite a while, I considered it my favorite album of all time. But that wasn't the case on the first few listens. I didn't know what the heck had happened, where the strings and programmed drum loops had gone, or why this album was so mellow and melancholy. And it all got off to a rather abrupt start, with Dan Haseltine's voice being the very first sound heard after pressing the play button: "You name me. Who am I?" At the time, I didn't know about the depression he had gone through when making this album, or how that had informed the songwriting. Christians didn't have the right language for these things back then, and those who struggled with mental health issues often did so in silence, worried that they were somehow irreparably broken or that they were being unfaithful, "bad" Christians for not having "the joy of the Lord" all the time. The pressures of fame and the perceived urgency to follow up a massively successful record with a reprise of the same formula couldn't have helped in Dan's case. But I'm glad that the band chose to swerve hard away from that expectation. I had gone through my own depression in the early months of 1997, so while I was just barely coming out the other side of it that fall when Much Afraid dropped, it dawned on me slowly that I really related to the fragility in this song, acknowledging that, while we may feel weak and uncertain and helpless in our need for God, that's exactly where we can be most assured of God's love for us. I feel like no amount of dissecting the lyrics could really get to the bottom of how deeply I've felt both the desperation and the sense of overwhelming gratitude expressed in this song over the years. Never mind that the vocal melody, chord progression, and brief bits of guitar soloing in this song are downright delectable. Quite a bit is packed into a mere three minutes, and I can't overstate how influential "Overjoyed" and several other songs from Much Afraid have been in getting me to appreciate eccentric chord progressions that go well beyond the bounds of the "four chords of pop." -David Martin

24. "Reckless Forgiver," Inland (2013)

With perhaps their best use of the violin since "Liquid" all those years ago, "Reckless Forgiver" finds the band in a vulnerable state that finds them wresting with self-doubt ("every time I look in the mirror, I'm in the shadow of doubt") and uncertainty. This prayer for peace like a river and a "reckless forgiver" is about as honest and open a song that you will hear in the CCM realm. The folk-rock swing here is just right for a wide-open song about where to direct your uncertainties and vulnerabilities. -Alex Caldwell

23. "Scenic Route," The Long Fall Back to Earth (2009)

A bit of a deep cut, at least of their songs that are on regular studio releases, "Scenic Route" is tucked away at track 11 of 14 on The Long Fall Back To Earth. It feels like they are pushing themselves artistically here, especially with the unconventional song structure that does not have a chorus. Still, it manages to be infectiously catchy and the message of taking time to appreciate the intricacies of life and relationships (through the metaphor of driving the slower, scenic route) feels even more relevant in the increasingly busy and fast-paced world we live in. Interestingly, this song didn't go unnoticed by the JFH Staff members in 2009 as it appears on multiple top ten song lists for the year-end picks. -Christopher Smith

22. "Light Gives Heat," Good Monsters (2006)

This song rarely ends up on anyone's favorite Jars lists, and honestly it is normally at number 1 on my list. Why does it affect me so much? Musically, it's just gorgeous, from the opening soloist, to the bass and simple guitar and drums. It never overdoes it, but never gets boring. Lyrically, it's so challenging how we treat the poor with a savior complex, not with the compassion and humility of Jesus. No throwaway lines here, it's a meaty song that challenges, but on a bed of roses. -Lachlan Meurer

21. "Portrait Of An Apology," Much Afraid (1997)

It's been a long time since I've listened to this song out of the context of the Much Afraid album, my favorite album of Jars of Clay's. I had forgotten how much this song can stand on its own. Beginning with some acoustic strums and tenderness, but building to a crescendo at the end worthy of the praise of even post-rock fans. For me, sometimes I think it gets lost amongst an album full of great tracks, and I rarely let this song be its own thing of beauty. Ironically, I think I owe this song an apology. -Eric McClanahan

20. "Silence," The Eleventh Hour (2002)

This might be the darkest Jars of Clay song. As the title implies, the song is about silence and isolation - a broken faith that can barely cling to God. And sometimes, that sense of isolation is worth exploring. Jars does it masterfully, with utter precision, driving the knife in so deep that we have no choice but to fully examine our own hearts. If the song offers any hope, it's in the fact that even when we feel completely alone, we still ask questions. We are still seeking God's presence. -Phil Lytle

19. "Much Afraid," Much Afraid (1997)

If you compare this track to some of Jars' other title tracks, it may not have the catchiest hook or the biggest anthem, but it is powerful in its own way. Drawing inspiration from Hannah Hurnard's Hinds Feet in High Places, it perfectly captures the trepidation we all feel in opening up to deep, abiding relationships -- whether with God or other humans. It encapsulates the themes Jars explored through the rest of the record, but can stand alone on its own quiet merit. -John Underdown

18. "Trouble Is," Who We Are Instead (2003)

With its fanciful, jaunty electric piano intro, "Trouble Is" begins as a deceptively lightweight tune. But as the aggressive strumming of the acoustic guitar kicks into full gear, the lyrics about confused identity and the "trouble" that brings us match the blues stomp and glorious harmony vocals of the chorus. The band masterfully unpacks a universal topic and concludes with a unique turn of phrase taken from the beloved Sunday school song, "Jesus Loves Me, This I know." A brilliant three minutes of a title track rock song. -Alex Caldwell

17. "Tea and Sympathy," Much Afraid (1997)

I remember being disappointed with Much Afraid in September of 1997. I wanted another version of the self-titled album and Much Afraid just was not that. It slowly grew on me -- and then continued growing on me. Today, it's my overall favorite Jars album, and "Tea and Sympathy" is a big part of that. The acoustic guitar, organ, and perfectly complementary strings just work so well. The lyrics here, as Dan begs to save a relationship, are also quite striking. It features so many aspects of the best things Jars of Clay have to offer. This song remains a favorite amongst their catalog and is a Top 3 song from Much Afraid. -Michael Weaver

16. "Boys (Lesson One)," The Long Fall Back to Earth (2009)

This album was released the same month and year as my only son was born, April 2009. On it was a song which Haseltine wrote for his son which spoke exactly some of the biggest lessons I had learned in life that I wanted to share with him, especially "Do not hide, Own it, What you have done doesn't define you." I have never heard this put to music as well as the guys did here. This song just means so much to me. -Lachlan Meurer

15. "Inland," Inland (2013)

A bold bass drum opens this final track of Jars' final album, and a better eulogy for a band you cannot find. "Inland" drops quotes from the classic English poet John Donne ("no man is an island") and a potent geographical metaphor about faith. In the days of the explorers, the coast was a safe place to be in a strange land. The ships were close by for a quick escape if you needed it. But marching inland, farther and farther away from your ocean escape route, into the unknown, took real courage. "Inland" is a brilliant final word from this masterful band. -Alex Caldwell

14. "Like a Child," Jars of Clay (1995)

Man... Jars of Clay's debut was such a big deal for me as a 15-year-old. And it remains one of my all-time favorite albums. Easily. "Like a Child" has such a great 90's vibe with its acoustic/electronic blend that made Jars of Clay so unique and innovative in their day. This is also a song that still screams "Jars of Clay" to me, even if it's a sound they deviated from pretty quickly with follow-up albums. (Although I'd say their cover of Petra's "Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows" was kind of a matured version of this musical vibe.) Also, just lyrically? It really hit home with this public high schooler trying to figure out how to be a believer while learning how to grow up, and these lyrics still resonate as an adult and father to a 15-year-old now myself. (Crazy times, eh?) I especially have always loved these verses (and the ones bookending them): "Dear God, don't let me fall apart / You've held me close to you / But I have turned away and searched / For answers I can't understand" -John DiBiase

13. "Jealous Kind," Who We Are Instead (2003)

In 2003, I largely ignored Who We Are Instead, but when 20 was released in 2014, "Jealous Kind" really struck me. This is a powerful song where Dan explores all of the other "lovers" he's placed ahead of God, realizing that He was right there the whole time wanting his full attention. While it's an interesting point of view on how others are put before our Savior, it's also extremely sad to realize that we all do it far too often. It's a beautiful and heartbreaking song, both musically and lyrically, and that gospel influenced bridge just takes it to another level. This is Jars of Clay at their absolute best, and it's my personal favorite song from their very deep catalog. -Michael Weaver

12. "Safe To Land," The Long Fall Back to Earth (2009)

On "Safe to Land," Jars of Clay uses a brilliant metaphor to describe the toll that a touring life can take on a marriage. The song describes a plane circling, waiting to be cleared for landing in inclement weather, not sure if it's got enough fuel left to remain in a holding pattern for too much longer. The concept of grace is emphasized heavily in this song - at some point, there's no time to wait for every little concern to be perfectly addressed and for the conflict to be cleanly resolved. That plane's just gotta land. I didn't really know what real turmoil in a marriage looked like when I first heard this song in the summer of 2008. But I knew it was an instant classic - a perfect blend of a finger-picked guitar melody and some ambient keyboard sounds befitting the more electronic "retro pop" makeover that would be fully unveiled on The Long Fall Back to Earth in 2009. -David Martin

11. "Oh My God," Good Monsters (2006)

There are some pretty good songs, but when they hit the second half -- whoa. Think "Hey Jude" by the Beatles. Think "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. I put "Oh my God" up there with the best. Jars has an amazing way of building songs to a crescendo without having to use standard tricks of key changes and choirs ("Jealous Kind" is another good example). This is one of them; it starts from the size of a mouse and builds, taking us on an emotional journey. I love it. -Lachlan Meurer

10. "Crazy Times," Much Afraid (1997)

I'll never forget the first time I heard "Crazy Times." I was in the Lemstone Christian Store at the local mall, and the Crazy Times Maxi-Single was available for listening at the demo station. (For those of you who are too young to remember, in the days before streaming, stores used to set up listening stations so that you could "try before you buy" while shopping for music!) I had just bought Jars of Clay's self-titled album with Christmas money about eight months prior, so I was still riding high on the excitement of being a new fan. Imagine my surprise when I heard electric guitars on a Jars of Clay song! Much like the *cachunk, cachunk* of Radiohead's "Creep," the bombastic entrance of distorted guitars in "Crazy Times" made a bold statement. Fans who were willing to accept this change would eventually learn that no Jars of Clay album would ever be a simple re-treading of what came before. And thank goodness for that! -Mike Harvat

9. "Frail," Much Afraid (1997)

If Jars of Clay ever recorded a perfect song, "Frail" is it. Its sparse and haunting instrumentation is elevated by a lush string arrangement that's simply incredible. "Frail" was originally written as an instrumental, but for Much Afraid, lyrics were added that further explore the album's themes of fear and self-doubt. While one may be tempted to despair at his or her shortcomings, "Frail" speaks to a greater truth: "When I am weak, then I am strong." -Mike Harvat

8. "Love Song For A Savior," Jars of Clay (1995)

"Love Song for a Savior" may be one of Jars of Clay's simplest songs, but it reveals a truth that runs deeper than its repetitive chorus. We want to love and be loved by God, and that's a relationship that goes beyond putting on your Sunday best and going through the motions of faith. Sometimes a little girl singing to Jesus in a field of wildflowers is the purest form of worship. There's a reason this song has stood the test of time, and I'm glad Jars of Clay continued to incorporate it into their live shows (in varying presentations) throughout their career. -Mike Harvat

7. "Work," Good Monsters (2006)

I'll never forget being at GMA Week in Nashville, trying hard to come up with questions for an interview with the four Jars guys. I was really struggling because they were between albums and I didn't know what to ask them. When we sat down with them, and they mentioned they'd just finished recording Good Monsters after my first question, I almost completely threw out my questions and just kept prodding for more info about the album. By the end of the interview, they'd become so amped to talk about the new music that they excitedly led to a party room in the convention center we were in and found a stereo to play us one new song from the album on the overhead speakers. That song was "Work."

When my wife Amy and I married in 2003, she worked nights as a nurse, which gave me several nights out of the week living in our apartment completely alone for the first time in my life. "Work" has a chorus that asks, "Do you know what I mean when I say 'I don't want to be alone?'" It's a song that was born out of loneliness for the band, and it's one that I was definitely feeling word-for-word when they released it in 2006. It's still one of my favorite songs by them, or anyone, and it's just yet another song that gives a voice to those frustrating and stifling feelings of loneliness. -John DiBiase

6. "Fade to Grey," Much Afraid (1997)

Oh man, that B3 organ, am I right? A near hip-hop drum sample, the organ bed, and a swirling string section sets up the second half of the song to hit hard. "Fade to Grey" is urgent and driving, and I love the full stop A cappella ending. Charlie's organ line is what carries the song for me though, the real MVP of the track. To me, this is Jars of Clay at their best. I've always loved this song. -Josh Balogh

5. "Flood," Jars of Clay (1995)

The iconic "Flood" helped catapult Jars of Clay's music career as their first and biggest crossover hit into mainstream music. Striking a magical balance between being fun to sing along loudly to, and having profoundly desperate lyrics, "Flood" is an absolute staple for Jars of Clay. It has been well-loved by fans and the band, with two music videos, updated versions, alternative takes, remixes, acoustic versions, and compilation appearances spanning the three decades since its initial release. Interestingly, though, it did not make it onto their fan-voted 20 album which features two songs from each studio release. -Christopher Smith

4. "Love In Hard Times," Inland (2013)

There's a C.S. Lewis quote about how "falling in love" is like the initial spark that gets an engine going, but what must follow is a "quiet love" that is like the steady thrum of an engine. I think this song captures that feeling. The spark is long past and what remains is the hard work of maintaining that love. The longing apparent in Dan Haseltine's voice grips the listener while the music keeps driving on without slowing down. It perfectly captures the tension that every couple who have been together a long time feels. -John Underdown

3. "Dead Man (Carry Me)," Good Monsters (2006)

The band had certainly rocked out a handful of times to this point in their career, but I don't think there was quite this level of confidence as displayed on "Dead Man (Carry Me)." For all intents and purposes, Dan is strutting through this admittance of needing help. The drums kick, the bass thumps, and the electric guitar riff is insanely catchy. It stutters and then drives into the chorus in the most satisfying way. With this tune and "Work," Jars turned a corner toward a more straight-ahead alt-rock sound and it was a needed zap of energy for their body of work. -Josh Balogh

2. "Liquid," Jars of Clay (1995)

There is no other song that quickens my pulse and sends a jolt of energy down my spine quite like the opening track on my favorite Jars of Clay album. That sample that sounds like a plane propeller growing louder, the acoustic guitar, violin, the vocally stacked "yeahs," and the Gregorian chanting monks as the drum loop kicks in all make for a one-of-a-kind recipe of sonic delight. I still remember the feeling of this song rumbling in my chest as it boomed over the speakers of the massive sound system of a large auditorium. While "Worlds Apart" is likely the best song from their self-titled album, "Liquid" has always been my personal favorite. There's just nothing like it. -Josh Balogh

1. "Worlds Apart," Jars of Clay (1995)

Man... this song has been a powerful one to me since I first heard it as a teenager in 1995. And as a pretty new born-again Christian at the time, it was a wonderful voice for those times I felt like I fell painfully short. And while I may feel like I fall short even more now than I did then, it was somewhat comforting to hear a voice speak words I was feeling to remind me I wasn't alone. And, on top of that, there was vocalist Dan Haseltine's iconic ad-lib at the end of the song that summed it all up for me, too... It's as true now - if not truer - to me today as it was then. -John DiBiase

"I look beyond the empty cross
Forgetting what my life has cost
And wipe away the crimson stains
And dull the nails that still remain
More and more I need you now
I owe you more each passing hour
The battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago
So steal my heart and take the pain
And wash the feet and cleanse my pride
Take the selfish, take the weak
And all the things I cannot hide
Take the beauty, take my tears
The sin-soaked heart and make it yours
Take my world all apart
Take it now, take it now
And serve the ones that I despise
Speak the words i can't deny
Watch the world i used to love
Fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross
Forgetting what my life has cost
So wipe away the crimson stains
And dull the nails that still remain
So steal my heart and take the pain
Take the selfish, take the weak
And all the things i cannot hide
Take the beauty, take my tears
Take my world apart, take my world apart
I pray, I pray, I pray
Take my world apart"

(You can read the full song lyrics here)

What are YOUR Top Jars of Clay Songs or Albums? Post your list in the comments below!

 

 

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