Legendary Pop Star Just Released a Popular Christian Song — and Its Original Singer Says It Serves as a Major Lesson For Christian Radio

Legendary pop singer Prince recently released a cover of Christian musician Nichole Nordeman's 2005 hit "What If?" — a tune with an intense lyrical focus on Jesus Christ.

Prince's rendition of the song was recorded alongside his band, female music trio 3rdEyeGirl, with his version keeping the majority of the lyrics in tact, according to Entertainment Tonight.

"What if He takes His place in history with all the prophets and the kings who taught us love and came in peace, but then the story ends? What then?" the lyrics read, in part. "But what if you're wrong? What if there's more? What if there's hope you've never dreamed of hoping for?"

Nordeman expressed her excitement over the honor in a recent Facebook post, noting that Prince had selected WFPK radio in Louisville, Kentucky, to debut the cover.

"I don’t really have the appropriate words for what an honor this is. If you are a musician on any level, you will immediately absorb the weight of it," she wrote. "This man’s talent is otherworldly. What’s the non-musical equivalent? Tiger Woods asking to borrow your clubs? Neil Armstrong calling and asking if you’d like to take a walk?"

Listen to Prince's version of "What If?" below:

Upload Audio - Download Music - Prince & 3EYEGIRL what-if

But Nordeman said that she was most invigorated to reveal how Prince came to record the song, noting that Hannah Welton, the drummer for 3rdEyeGirl, told WFPK that Prince was driving in the car when he heard "What If?" on the radio. After he introduced the song to the band, they decided to record it with him.

That led Nordeman to deliver a passionate proclamation to those working in Christian radio.

"To my friends in Christian radio, let me take this opportunity to remind you that what you do matters," she said. "Your morning shows matter. Your afternoon drives matter. Your listener appreciation pledge drives matter."

Nordeman added that she believes too many people accuse Christian radio of preaching to the choir, but that Prince's discovery of her song shows that there's another perspective worth considering.

"Prince heard a song about the transforming love of Jesus on Christian radio and now has given it a much wider audience than I ever did or could," she wrote. Thank you, radio friends, for what you do. The world is listening."

Listen to Nordeman's version of the song below:

Prince became a Jehovah's Witness back in 2001 and is no stranger to discussing his faith, Christian Today reported.