And its just a really great song -- from the beat to the harmonies.

Im not 16 anymore.

But it also means that if Ive been listening to Jars of Clay since their debut came out, then that would make me 15 years old when the groundbreaking Jars of Clay hit shelves in 1995.

Its a very rare thing to listen to a band--let alone the same four guys for their entire run as a band--from the time youre in high school on through adulthood.

And very few bands grow along with you like Jars of Clay did.

Its also no secret that Jars of Clay is lying dormant right now--as the band hasnt officially broken up, but is taking a break from the road indefinitely--but that hasnt lessened the impact of their music, epecially to this fan.

As JFH celebrates 20 years, Ill be offering up my Top 20 Jars of Clay songs, in no concrete order.

John DiBiase, JFH Founder Editor Etc.

I like to go into every interview completely prepared, and for some reason, the one interview I struggled to come up with questions for was with one of my favorite bands.

Apparently, my enthusiasm was infectious enough that the guys whisked Amy and I away to a banquet room in the Nashville Convention center where they could play a CD of the very first song from their new album.

That song was Work.

I was too excited to really take the whole song in, but the edgy sound was a sweet surprise from the usually tame pop rock acoustic-based band.

Months later, when we got our prerelease copy and I could really get to know the songs on Good Monsters, Work hit home tremendously.

As a 20-something guy who was always coping with a wife who worked nightshift, Work was just too relatable.

It was also by the end of that year that I was able to start doing JFH full-time, and I soon was adjusting to spending long days all by myself in my home office.

I first heard Jars of Clay when they opened up for PFR on tour in early 1995.

Later that year, when I finally bought their self-titled label debut from a local Christian bookstore, I fell in love with the entire album.

As a 15-year-old kid with a young heart as a believer, this emotional song just really resonated with me.

And, honestly, it still does, as a guy who is all too aware of his own shortcomings.

Also, having a wife who struggles with a sleeping disorder has been tough on us, especially when our schedules dont match up.

My heart can relate to the sentiment of the chorus, So stay up with me, dont fall asleep.

Well fall in His arms, The tears will fall down And well pray.

This one is just such a great picture of a believer who wants to fall more in love with Jesus, but sometimes struggles with it.

Its a wonderful prayer, and one that I havent stopped relating to since I first heard it twenty-one years ago.

With how Love Song and Like A Child are back-to-back on their debut, its just a great pair of songs about belief and doubt.

So you can stop caring as you call it and Ill be fine right here.

Jars Of Clay Songs Top