Step into the power ballad that bridged the gap between hair metal and mainstream faith.
The Song
"Honestly" is a power ballad from Stryper's third studio album, To Hell with the Devil, released in 1986. Written by lead singer and guitarist Michael Sweet, the song showcases the band's softer, more melodic side, contrasting with their signature heavy metal sound. It quickly became one of their most recognizable tracks, known for its heartfelt lyrics about sincere love and devotion. The song's composition features a prominent piano melody, soaring guitar solos, and Michael Sweet's distinctive vocal delivery, solidifying its place as a quintessential 80s power ballad.
The Artist
Stryper is an American Christian metal band from Orange County, California. The group was formed in 1983 by brothers Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar) and Robert Sweet (drums), along with Oz Fox (guitar) and Timothy Gaines (bass guitar). They rose to prominence in the mid-1980s, gaining recognition for their unique blend of heavy metal music with openly Christian lyrics and yellow-and-black stage attire. Stryper broke barriers as one of the first openly Christian bands to achieve mainstream success in the hard rock and metal scene, earning both praise and scrutiny for their evangelistic message.
Chart Performance
"Honestly" proved to be Stryper's biggest commercial hit. The song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States in 1987. This success was unprecedented for a band so overtly Christian in their messaging within the mainstream rock landscape of the era. The album ** To Hell with the Devil**, featuring "Honestly," went platinum, further cementing the band's commercial breakthrough.
Cultural Impact
"Honestly" played a pivotal role in Stryper's career, exposing their music and message to a much broader audience beyond their existing Christian rock fanbase. It demonstrated that a band with explicit Christian themes could achieve mainstream pop success, challenging preconceived notions within the music industry. The song's emotional depth and universal themes of love resonated widely, allowing Stryper to transcend the niche of Christian metal and gain significant airplay on mainstream rock and pop radio stations. This helped pave the way for other Christian artists to find broader appeal in subsequent years.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "Honestly" features the band performing the ballad in a smoky, intimate setting, often contrasted with footage of fans at their concerts.
- "Honestly" remains a staple in Stryper's live performances and is consistently one of their most requested songs.
- The album ** To Hell with the Devil** was the first Christian metal album to achieve platinum status.
- The song's success led to appearances on MTV, which was a significant platform for mainstream exposure during the 1980s.
- "Honestly" is often cited as one of the definitive power ballads of the 1980s, showcasing the genre's enduring appeal.