Songs that Made a Difference / Rick McNally / July 2025

Knowledge and Innocence / Terry Scott Taylor / 1986

I was never that big into mainstream Christian Contemporary Music.  I’ve always been on the more indie side of that particular genre.  It was always Daniel Amos and Larry Norman more than Amy Grant and Newsboys.

One of my particular favorites was Daniel Amos.  This was a band, not a person, kind of like Pink Floyd wasn’t a guy in the band but the band itself.  Daniel Amos was always a bit quirky both instrumentally and lyrically.  Daniel Amos’ frontman is/was Terry Scott Taylor.  This little article is about his first solo album, Knowledge and Innocence.

Knowledge and Innocence by Terry Scott Taylor was released in 1986.  It was heavily synth-driven, very introspective, and melancholy. This was during my Moody BIble Institute days.

It spoke of loss.

It is dedicated to Terry’s grandfather, who had recently died, and has themes of deep loss.  The loss of a child.  The loss of a parent.  The loss of a friend.

I would point potential listeners to three tracks in particular, though the whole album is wonderful.  I will skip The Song of Innocence not because it is not worth the time, but it was the lead single and speaks for itself.

The Song of Innocence is a duet with Randy Stonehill and speaks of some of the work of William Blake.  

Waiting

Waiting is a solemn tune of patience in suffering.  The speaker looks for better things in the future; for sunshine, golden skies, and clouds to walk upon.

Waiting for that happy end, that new beginning.  Waiting.  Waiting for the angels’ call!

We walk through a broken world, and the Christian waits for something more.  The bridge is powerful: “and through the day I listen for a word, your voice, my name.”

One day those who believe will hear a name spoken and find their waiting was not in vain.

Ever After 

Ever After is more subtle.  I don’t want to spoil the surprise twist.  Read, and weep. Upbeat music is a contrast to the theme of the song.

If it takes a listen or two, it’s worth it.  I’ll be quiet now (my daughter is somewhere wondering how quiet I can be, shaking her head).

The Album’s Impact on Me

This album had an impact on me in a few ways.  The themes of loss are throughout.  I’m not a big fan of loss, but it occurs throughout our human lives.  We are constantly losing important people (grandparents, parents, children) and losing abilities and so much more.

Christ took on loss for us.  He lost friends.  He lost family.  He lost his life.  He came to not just rule and reign but to identify and live with us, and take upon himself the kinds of losses we go through — yet without sin.

Can you imagine the hurt of Jesus when Peter disowned him?  Did this hurt as much as the nails?  Or the pain of Judas’ betrayal?  His family’s disbelief?

Jesus experienced these and more for us.

This album is meaningful and beautiful and a bit odd — but the beauty is in the uniqueness.

Thank you, Terry!

Thank you, Lord!