gospel music

noun

1. a now popularized form of impassioned rhythmic spiritual music rooted in the solo and responsive church singing of rural African Americans in the South, central to the development of rhythm and blues and of soul music.

gospel music

1. Intense, joyful music that is associated with evangelists (see evangelical) in the South, especially among African-Americans. Gospel had a strong influence on many rock 'n' roll singers. Well-known gospel artists include Mahalia Jackson and the Dixie Hummingbirds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gospel music¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

His father was a band director for the Marine Corps who was strict about “only listening to marching band or gospel music,” and who used to quiz Clemons about which instruments were used on various songs.

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Growing up near Houston, Texas, he was home-schooled and said he exclusively listened to gospel music until he was 13.

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It commissioned a major organ concerto, “At the Royal Majestic,” for soloist Cameron Carpenter, that is as maximalist as it gets, referencing everything from gospel music to jitterbug to ragtime to blues to raga to Minimalism’s motoric phrasing, all of it coming out sounding like Riley.

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Faith is also important to Agyemang, and she listens to gospel music before matches to help get herself in the zone.

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The family sang gospel music and were active in the Church of God in Christ, where K.C. was a deacon.

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