The embrace of pop music and spirituality is getting more and more attention, especially in the hip-hop scene (note the earlier entry), but one recent article quotes Philip Goth, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University:

“Religion and American culture almost dance with each other,” says Goff, who point to a long history between pop music and religion, including Elvis scoring his first Grammy for a gospel album. The article goes on to cite Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and U2, along with current spiritual-popsters Kanye West, Creed, Los Lonely Boys, Switchfoot, Lenny Kravitz and others.