#2: Larry Norman — Only Visiting This Planet (1972)
The cornerstone of Jesus rock—sharp cultural critique, prophetic boldness, and a sound that helped launch a movement.
Intro
Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Only Visiting This Planet (1972) stands as a deeply influential and beloved project. Its blend of craft, conviction, and emotional resonance has shaped listeners and artists for generations.
The Album in Context
This album arrived at a moment of musical and spiritual transition. Artists were stretching creative boundaries, embracing new sonic languages, and deepening the emotional honesty of their writing. This record reflects that cultural and artistic restlessness, balancing innovation with timeless spiritual themes.
Within Christian music, the album helped expand expectations—showing that faith-driven art could be sophisticated, poetic, bold, and culturally engaged.
Standout Songs
- “Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?” — A defining track that encapsulates the album’s voice and artistic center.
- “The Outlaw” — A listener favorite whose arrangement and lyric continue to resonate.
- “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” — A cornerstone moment that anchors the project’s enduring legacy.
Why It Matters
Artistically, this album remains a benchmark—rich in musicality, emotional depth, and spiritual insight. Its impact extends far beyond its release year, influencing multiple generations of worship leaders, songwriters, and Christian creatives.
Historically, it marks a turning point (or in the case of Honorable Mentions, a defining supplement) that broadened the scope of Christian music’s reach and artistic credibility.
What’s Next
As the journey continues, we pause for a Top 6 Honorable Mentions mini-countdown, kicking things off with HM6 — Glad: The A Cappella Project, Vol. I (1988). Don’t miss the companion episode of The CCM Professor podcast with Greg Rice, as we begin the final stretch toward the most influential album in Christian music history.
Soli Deo Gloria!
This post is part of the series The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, celebrating the artists and recordings that defined a generation of faith-filled creativity.
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Album Details
| Artist: | Larry Norman |
| Album: | Only Visiting This Planet |
| Year Released: | 1972 |
| Record Label(s): | Verve |
| Producer(s): | Rod Edwards, Jon Miller, and Roger Hand |
Previous Post in the series:
#3: Rich Mullins – A Liturgy, A Legacy, And A Ragamuffin Band (1993)
Next in the series:
HM6-Glad-The A Capella Project Vol. I (1988)
Listen to “Only Visiting This Planet” on Spotify
You can listen below or click here to purchase the entire album.
Larry Norman: Only Visiting This Planet is available for purchase on Amazon.
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