Love Song - Little Country Church

[@BradSteffler]

I was converted in late September 1972. My 2 Christian roommaes played the 1972 album daily at least once a day. Just litening brings tears to my eyes as I remember falling in love with Jesus fall of 1972. the music was such an encouragement to a new Christian guitarist/med student. Fell in love wih my wife of 50 years fall-spring 1972-1973 at the same time. I felt so clean and fresh! All my sins were washed away.

[@PutDownTheBunny]

I appreciate your vivid memories. You have been blessed, as you know it.

[@complimentarycontemplation1873]

I grew up in so California and remember pastor chuck smith always had a band or up and coming band. Actually after awhile several churches did the same. I really had a hunger for truth about the word of God and even got my mom to go with me from Anaheim to Costa Mesa and she always fell asleep around 7 pm . Plus chuck had a really relaxing voice. And cool easygoing vibe.

[@erinangel2991]

What a GREAT thing to hear something from my teenage years at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. Every Saturday my brother, me and my uncle went to the Saturday night Christian concert. This was our first taste of some really great Christian music and enjoying that new excitement of sitting on hay bails, under a tent, learning how t praise the Lord--it was great! As we listened and learned while God planted a lifetime of sprouts in my heart to mature later in my life and would hold me close to Him during difficult times. Today, I live in Tennessee and every time I drive by a little, white, country church, this song plays in my head and heart without fail--always with tears! Thank you Love Song, Chuck Smith and all those who made those wonderful days and years possible!

[@bettierusso5410]

An instant time trip! My heart softens and the tears flow. Remembering sitting on the floor of the "Little Country Church" back when we could all just ask Pappa Chuck questions as we studied. Wearing "granny gowns", Feeling the Holy Spirit, The White doves in the courtyard by the drinking fountain. Romain the "cop of calvary"as we called him. Chuck's "GLORIOUS"smile. Love Song at the Maranatha concerts on sat. nights. How I miss those days. We were and still are a family. I am honored God has given me the desires of my heart and my sweet husband and I just celebrated 42 years of marriage. Praise God.

[@happiness777applered]

chuck smith?

[@bettierusso5410]

yes,he was like a second father to us. Few of us that grew with the church were blessed to be a 11 year old child and there when it was the Foursquare church, then the "little country church,then the Tent, then the large sanctuary. It was a wonderful time. I miss him so much.

[@loriep.9493]

I lived in Anaheim back then and we called it Big Tent ! " Little Country Church " really brought back memories .

[@lynnm.2019]

Granny gowns LoL!! ; )

[@lauralairose5164]

Have you seen Calvary Chino Hills with Jack Hibbs? They are in a tent because of remodeling and it's decorated like the old tent with the same lettering ect. You can watch the services online. Love Pastor Jack!

[@md9680]

Love Song was the first Christian band I heard and that was in September, 1970 at the University of Texas at Austin. I was a new believer, wondering if there would ever be any Christian music I could ever get into and, from a couple of blocks distant on campus, heard this song being played from the small bandstand on the north side of the student union. They played an indoor concert that night which I also attended and they stuck around afterwards to talk with people. My inspiration to learn to play guitar came from hearing this specific song. I can say now that my wife and I have been blessed by participation in various worship groups/bands since, nearly 50 years later. Thank you, Jesus!

[@mikemila4075]

I never met Chuck Smith even though I was in southern Cal as a hippie. It wasn’t until I came home to Massachusetts that the revival from Calvary Chapel had spread to Mass. I still have the original Love Song album. Miss those days ! Soooo much has changed but I live for today and keep it real for tomorrow

[@lovelysade]

I’ve been trying to find Christian music I love to replace old worldly music and this is so good! Praise the Lord, I’m coming alive.

[@victorm1559]

Awesome time to know Jesus. He is my Savior.

[@davidthomas283]

The "Jesus Revolution" movie is a great reminder of this

[@starshine428]

I remember those early "Jesus Music" days. I am glad to have been the age I was (about 17) and a young Christian when that swept through the country. So many good artists and it was so exciting to see it building

[@edbrinley2285]

Fist band I listened to when I got saved in 1974, along with Larry Norman & Phil Keaggy, these guys kept me singing God's praises in the early days...still love em!

[@josephromero125]

it was about 1977 my friend Ruben put into his boom box a cassette of Love Song it was the 1st time I heard Christian rock. I love music and especially music that glorifies Jesus! These guys did glorify God. You have to be very careful now days so many artists just want a stepping stone into their carriers good music but not a lot of Jesus in it. Thank you for sharing this!

[@kathicrissman2032]

I remember Saturday nights at Calvary Costa Mesa; great days and powerful movement of the Lord Jesus Christ; almost 50 years later, Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!

[@CyclingM1867DubbysMama]

I was born in 1970 and went to Sunday school but not church services until I was 11, because Mom didn't feel comfortable going to church alone, since Dad didn't want to go until he became a Christian. I do remember this music well, though, as during the first few years of going to church and youth group from 1981 onwards, this music was played by one of my youth group leaders quite often. I vaguely remember that same youth group leader talking about the Jesus People movement down in California and how it had spread to some parts of the States, as well as how he remembered when it started to show up here in Canada. The music is the part I got to know well, and this song has long been a favourite of mine.

[@waverider501]

Oh ya, the memories, I was hitch hiking all over southern CA telling people about Jesus and He led me to Calvary Chapel, of coarse Love Song was there and Chuck Smith with a real soul winning message which lead me to an even better relationship to the LORD along with a one month stay in one of there half way houses, called Mansion Messiah. What a blessing this was for me, at the time, the year was 1969 or 70 my memory is a little rusty now I was 20 years old at the time. To this day Love Song's music still brings a joyful tear and a good memory along with Chuck Smith and His ability to reach all the young people of my time. ONE WAY !

[@johnbooth2944]

Grew up in a church where we couldn't use guitars in the '60's. Four years later, I went back there as worship leader and first kids to join were "head bangers." Instant Christian rock band. Heard "Love Song" and Larry Norman and said "These are my people." Remember all those people that taught me in Sunday School coming to our concerts and clapping along. :)

[@chriscalvin7649]

Love Song, Larry Norman, Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill............ain't Heaven going to be full of fantastic music praising HIM>

[@elbuchito2907]

Don't forget Keith and Oden me brother.

[@lynnsanders8426]

Why should the devil have all the good music? Larry Norman used to say.

[@bikboo]

I was only 6 years old in 1980 and my dad would put the group love song in the tape player so I could sleep at night cause I was scared, and today I still listen to them and it as stuck in my head and soul. Love them God bless

[@diegoespinoza8185]

It's really wonderful how these song's are still valid in words meaning and sound after all these years!! Like we got our own Golden Oldies. But ours are really GOLDEN!!!

[@gregstickler3798]

With all the compromising in the church today I’ve returned to the roots of my salvation where the music was mainly true and real and non compromising simple and easy on the ears

[@turn4and2Him]

I still love the catchy music and lyrics!!

[@fastfretting]

The first JESUS band i had ever heard played a song by LOVE SONG in 1973.

[@thomasp2489]

God bless the songs of "Love Song" during the Jesus Movement. Good, quality Christian alternative music for us Jesus freaks!

[@RitaMacWillie]

You are so right. 1973 C.I.T.A.❤.

[@alanmoon7785]

Calvary church and chuck Smith have a great legacy

[@chriscalvin7649]

Saw them live 3 or 4 times, back in the day. Love them, God used them to reach me.

[@johnjones2733]

I got saved back in '78 so I heard this on record

[@sabbysavedbygrace7]

Jesus Revolution brought me here: well after a little research on this awesome band

[@complimentarycontemplation1873]

I grew up in so. cal. and there were so many churches that had up and coming bands or established bands all over. There's so much more to music in church that I don't want it to seem one dimensional but if that's what it takes to get people to church to avoid hell, so be it. Jesus is still the reason. :)

[@ArtisticRescue]

Like Chuck Girard, I also played the piano and sang. Back when he was still doing live concerts, he went to Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri for a solo concert. Sadly, I never had any great albums of my own songs, the way Chuck did with Love Song. But my parents were in the audience that night, as was my younger brother, Matt.

[@shannoncowling4851]

Great to hear this song again... great memories from back in the day....

[@steverz383]

When ever I listen to the, "LOVE SONG", it takes me back when I use to live in Hawaii on Oahu. My folks use to fly me to Maui to hang & visit at the "Teen Challenge -- Boy's Home". They'd played this "LOVE SONG" record back then many of times in their dining hall. Yes... My dad use to be the Director of Teen Challenge over all the 8 Islands of Hawaii from 1970 till 1978. =))

[@curtis195]

+Steve Hall I lived in Hawaii at that time, working with Sam Sasser at Honolulu First Assembly. Knew your dad and rocked along with Love Song.

[@quickdrw1]

I was there too right after the tent, in that big new worship center. One night, they said, "we have a guest visiting tonight, let's see if we can get him to come up and sing a couple songs for us"... and Andre Crouch got up and took the microphone.

[@GlennMcCarthyArt]

How influential was this album? Spurned millions to accept Jesus Christ as Lord! Thank you Freddie, Chuck, Bob, Tom, and Jay!!! Wasn't that John Mehler on drums?

[@xandermaltman4222]

I was just talking to my grandpa, and he said that he composed this song in high school with his friends and someone took it and published it. I am surprised it was this popular.

[@TJ-kk5zf]

what a discovery!

[@marienebraska6237]

Mom loves this song!

[@successmusicstudios]

I really Like this Jam!

[@isazmom]

Oh YAY! Glory to God! This was of my daddy's and my favorites! Just blessed beyond words!!

[@dinodasbunce6224]

I got to see Love Song in concert in St. Louis in I believe 1975. What a great concert and great music. I also played a couple of Love Song tunes in a Christian rock band in the mid 70's.

[@GregoryAnderson]

I went to their concert in Longview Washington in the early 70's, and just had to learn the guitar from seeing them. Yup. This is a classic song too.

[@markpettigrew3482]

At Evangel College in Springfield Missouri, in the 1970s, I had the privilege of being the opening act for Chuck Girard. This particular song was embematic of the Jesus Movement as a whole. In Missouri, we had no Chuck Smith, but David C. Rees-Thomas (my pastor) looked a lot like Chuck, and Chuck did in fact visit our church.

[@carolfleming8963]

I went to that church while attending Central Bible College. I remember the Jesus people who came for a while. Were you one of them?

[@markpettigrew3482]

Carol Fleming Yes. Dave Gable, who was the national head of Chi Alpha (more a ministry for SMSU than CBC or Evangel), also attended Evangel Temple.

[@dougo1962]

What year would that have been, Mark?

[@etienneduran6966]

Great memories Praise the Lord

[@girlintheglen]

Love it! Wow, I was there at those concerts at Big Calvary when these guys were playing in the tent. Thanks for posting these great classics of Christian rock.

[@HarHah]

Sunday school is for learning 📖

[@reedp.gagnon7846]

Thank God for all our country churches !

[@burtward895]

I was 10 when this came out and I remember them to this day. This song popped up in my head today because I was at the Baptist convention of Oklahoma and you had this gladhanding and award giving to all of the big money Baptist anchor churches. But then you look at the budget and hidden in there is that the little church was still relevant in giving. I think this is often lost at the BGCO.

[@markkerns8143]

One of my favorite groups.

[@irenebabcook9560]

Delora and Roger played this song at a coffee house 30+miss them

[@sealevelbear]

Nice guitar tracks

[@complimentarycontemplation1873]

Also remember knotts berry farm in Buena Park had Christian night either Friday or Saturday. Can’t remember. Last time I was there it was mostly gangs

[@relaxinmaxin7246]

Let's introduce those gangs to Jesus!

[@rayonasimmons2615]

Love music

[@Jacque_K]

Hallelujah ♥️🙌🏻🔥

[@rustysruger]

Sad to see how quickly corruption set into the Contemporary Christian music scene...😢

[@johnjones2345]

I was 10 when this song came out

[@abrahamosayogie5978]

I am on God’ Side! In Jesus’ Name by The Power of The Holy Spirit! We pray! Amen!🙏🏾 John 3:16-“ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus Christ loves you yesterday, today and forevermore. He is with you and died for your sins so that we could repent and be redeemed, become a new creation in Him! Jesus paid the price that we couldn’t pay. He lived the sinless life that we couldn’t live. He died the sinless death that we should’ve died so that we could gain the free gift that none of us could’ve earned: Eternal Life through Him! Jesus Christ paid our bail. He has set us free if you chose to believe in Him and confess Him as your Lord and Saviour. Accept His Free Gift of Salvation today! God bless you all. Never forget that God sees you and hears you. He loves you and adores you endlessly friends. He loves us so much He says come as you are, but loves us too much to keep us the same.

[@theonlydjtopcat]

Wow this band 2nd Chapter of Acts, Larry Norman etc I lived the Jesus Revolution movie as a kid! haha

[@benbernardgraham2286]

timely lyrics.

[@marcondecarvalho8241]

BÊNÇÃO de DEUS!!!!!

[@loissoya9006]

Little country church on the edge of town Doo-do- do-dn-do-do-do People comin' everyday from miles around For meetin's and for Sunday school And it¹s very plain to see It¹s not the way it used to be Preacher isn't talkin' 'bout religion no more He just wants to praise the Lord People aren't as stuffy as they were before They just want to praise the Lord And it¹s very plain to see It's not the way it used to be They're talkin' 'bout revival and the need for love That little church has come alive Workin' with each other for the common good Puttin' all the past aside Long hair, short hair, some coats and ties People finally comin' around Lookin' past the hair and straight into the eyes People finally comin' around And it¹s very plain to see It's not the way it used to be

[@stanleisenring1449]

Sounds EXACTLY like how I remembered it in '72! What's different bout it? I know my music spot on, No difference, except...maybe..mastered a bit differently. Our stereo sucked then, not sure!

[@annaiselin648]

IIRC, there was some weird copyright ownership issue with something about something, etc...At any rate, If I understood correctly, Girard/Love Song ended up re-recording all of their albums. I'm guessing that this is one of the remakes rather than the original.

[@smoothestones1]

This is NOT the original. It's a redux from about ten years ago. I like the original.

[@benjamin.schreiber]

I have the CD “Welcome Back” (released in 1995) from Love Song and it sounds quite different on the CD! 🤷🏻‍♂️ I like this old version on KZbin much better! 😊

[@marcondecarvalho8241]

MUITO BOM!!!!

[@dougpack4616]

This IS the original 1972 recording from the album.

[@fullblownalcoholic]

................................................................ Lookin pass the hair and straight into the eyes @1:57