Best Petra Songs Top 10 of All Time

Petra first debuted in 1970’s and focused strictly on Christian rock music. Rock bands were numerous in the 70’s and 80’s, but no other Christian rock band became mainstream like Petra. The road was not easy and original founder Bob Hartman is what kept the band alive and thriving. There were many close calls on disbanding as Greg Hough, John DeGroff, Bill Glover, John Slick and other members chose different paths with other bands of the time. Petra’s style changed as they continued to appeal to a young audience influenced by many rock styles, including The Allman Brothers Band, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC and countless other mainstream rock bands. With over three decades of music and 20 albums, it’s challenging to choose the top 10 songs! We could make a top 10 list for the different genres Petra sings, but I am trying to encompass all of Petra on this list!

Here are the best Petra songs top 10 of all time:

#10 Best Petra Song – “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” from the Album Petra Praise – The Rock Cries Out (1989)

No power is stronger than God and no one can overthrow the power of Christ’s blood.

Favorite Lyrics

The power of darkness comes in like a flood

The battle belongs to the Lord

#9 Best Petra Song – “Grave Robber” from the Album Not of This World (1983)

The song “Grave Robber” brings so much hope and focuses on the power of Jesus’ death.

Favorite Lyrics

Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite

When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night

#8 Best Petra Song – “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” from the Album Praise 2: We Need Jesus (1997)

Petra’s version of “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” is one of the most popular and they still bring in their unique style without following exactly how many other mainstream artists sang this song.

Favorite Lyrics

Lord, I lift Your name on high

Lord, I love to sing Your praises

#7 Best Petra Song – “The Coloring Song” from the Album Never Say Die (1981)

“The Coloring Song” is a fun one, especially for kids to sing. It’s friendly and simple, but powerful.

Favorite Lyrics

Gold is the color of the morning sun

that shines so freely on everyone

#6 Best Petra Song – “King of Kings” from the Album Petra Praise – The Rock Cries Out (1989)

Many artists have sung “King of Kings”, but few have brought the chanting, marching version as Petra did. I’d like to believe the 80’s electric slide and video games helped influence this version!

Favorite Lyrics

King of kings and Lord of lords, glory

Hallelujah

#5 Best Petra Song – “Underneath The Blood” from the Album Wake-Up Call (1993)

“Underneath The Blood” channels the hardcore rock in the heart and soul of Petra. It reminds my of the style of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Favorite Lyrics

Underneath the blood

Through the cleansing flood

#4 Best Petra Song – “I Will Call Upon the Lord” on the Album Petra Praise – The Rock Cries Out (1989)

I love the praise and worship songs that Petra produced and there are more hard rock versions of many of the songs on their praise albums.

Favorite Lyrics (Note: This is the entire song)

I will call upon the Lord

Who is worthy to be praised

#3 Best Petra Song – “Amazing Grace” from the Album Revival (2001)

A rock version of “Amazing Grace”? Yes, and it totally rocks! There are few bands I think could pull this off in the manner they did.

Favorite Lyrics

Because your love came down

Your love came down

#2 Petra Song – “Beyond Belief” from the Album Beyond Belief (1990)

The lyrics in “Beyond Belief” make you think hard about your faith and it’s the type of song that makes you realize something new each time you listen to it.

Favorite Lyrics

Leap of faith without a net

Makes us want to hitch our bed

#1 Petra Song – “Jekyll & Hyde” from the Album Jekyll & Hyde (2003)

“Jekyll & Hide” is such a deep and powerful song. It draws from many of the different types of music Petra is known for and I feel this one tells who Petra is.

Favorite Lyrics

I have this secret that I let nobody see

It's like a split personality

Honorable Mentions

I could not cut these two songs!

Best Petra Song – “Salvation Belongs to Our God” from the Album Petra Praise – The Rock Cries Out (1989)

The music in “Salvation Belongs to Our God” is very majestic and I can just imagine seeing Christ surrounded by angels.

Favorite Lyrics

Praise and glory

Wisdom and thanks

Best Petra Song – “Not of This World” from the Album Not of This World (1983)

I have a feeling that Star Trek and Star Wars helped influence the music in “Not of This World”. Anyone else see this connection?

Favorite Lyrics

We are envoys, we must tarry

With this message we must carry

I grew up in the later “praise era” of Petra, but the more I listen to their music, the more I love it! Their ability to adapt to many different styles shows their talent and how they did not live with blinders on. Petra was aware of what was happening in mainstream music culture and adapted it to Christian music, whether through rock or lighter praise hits. They officially disbanded in 2006, but their music will continue to live on for years as they broke numerous barriers in Christian music, including being the first Christian band to be inducted in the Hard Rock Café.

Resources- Youtube, photo credit: Waiting For The Word via photopin cc