You know how it goes. Someone starts a steady, driving beat on a tambourine, the piano kicks in with a rhythmic, bluesy shuffle, and suddenly the whole room is shouting about a telephone line to heaven. It’s infectious. If you’ve spent any time in a Black Baptist or Pentecostal church—or if you’ve just fallen down a rabbit hole of vintage gospel clips on TikTok—you’ve definitely heard the if you confess the lord call him up song. It’s one of those "hand-clapping, foot-stomping" staples that bridges the gap between old-school spirituals and modern gospel.
The thing is, people often get the title mixed up. You might know it as "Call Him Up," or maybe "Can’t Stop Praising His Name." Sometimes it's just called "The Telephone Song" by kids in Sunday school. But the message is always the same: if you believe it, you’ve got to say it. Loudly.
The Roots of the "Call Him Up" Tradition
Music moves fast. Songs evolve. This isn't just a single track recorded in a studio; it’s a living piece of oral tradition. Most people associate the most famous version with the legendary Chicago Mass Choir, but the DNA of the song goes back much further. It’s rooted in the idea of "testifying." In the African American church tradition, confessing the Lord isn't just a quiet, internal thought. It’s a public declaration.
The lyrics are simple, which is why they work. "If you confess the Lord, call Him up / If you believe the Word, call Him up." It’s a call-and-response masterpiece. The lead singer throws out a line, and the choir (or the congregation) hits back with that "Call Him Up!" refrain. It creates this build-up of energy that eventually boils over into what many call a "praise break."
Honestly, the "telephone" metaphor is a bit dated if you think about it literally. We don't really "call up" people on rotary phones anymore, but the spiritual imagery stays solid. It’s about direct access. No middleman. No waiting on hold. Just a direct line because of that "confession" mentioned in the opening lines.
Why This Song Exploded on Social Media
You’ve probably seen the videos. A choir is swaying, the organ is screaming, and the drummer is doing absolute bits. Suddenly, the "Call Him Up" hook starts, and the video cuts to a group of people dancing or a "glow up" transition. Why this song?
It’s the tempo.
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The if you confess the lord call him up song usually sits right around 120 to 130 beats per minute. That is the "sweet spot" for human movement. It’s the same tempo as most house music and disco. It triggers a physical response. Even if you aren't religious, the sheer musicality of a well-drilled gospel choir singing this song is enough to make your hair stand up.
Also, the "If you confess..." line has become a bit of a meme template. People use it to talk about their own "confessions"—usually things like being obsessed with a specific coffee order or admitting they stayed up too late watching Netflix. But underneath the humor, the song’s actual power remains. It’s a celebration of identity.
Breaking Down the Lyrics and Scriptural Ties
Gospel music isn't just about the vibes. It’s almost always grounded in specific theology. The "confess" part usually points back to Romans 10:9. That’s the verse that says if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, you’ll be saved.
The song takes that heavy theological concept and makes it danceable.
- The Lead: "If you want the Holy Ghost..."
- The Response: "Call Him up!"
- The Lead: "Tell Him what you want!"
- The Response: "Call Him up!"
It’s a conversation. It’s basically a manual on how to pray, wrapped in a melody that you can’t forget. When the Chicago Mass Choir performed it, they added layers of harmony that turned a simple folk chorus into a powerhouse anthem. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers had similar "high-octane" arrangements that kept these songs alive through the 80s and 90s.
The Misconceptions About "Call Him Up"
A lot of people think this is a contemporary song because it sounds so fresh. It’s not. It’s decades old. Another common mistake is thinking it’s a slow, somber hymn. If you walk into a church and they start playing "Call Him Up" as a slow ballad, you’re probably in the wrong place. This is a song of action.
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There is also a version by Keith Pringle that often gets tossed into the mix. Pringle’s "Call Him Up (Can’t Stop Praising His Name)" is a masterpiece of 80s gospel production. It’s got that bright, synthesized piano sound and a driving bassline that makes it feel almost like a R&B track. This version helped move gospel out of the church pews and onto the radio.
Some folks confuse it with "Jesus on the Mainline." They are cousins, for sure. Both use the telephone metaphor. But while "Mainline" is more of a traditional blues-spiritual, "Call Him Up" is pure, high-energy gospel.
The Musical Structure: Why it Works
The song usually follows a 1-4-5 chord progression, which is the foundation of blues and rock and roll. But gospel musicians "juice" those chords. They add 7ths, 9ths, and 13ths. They use passing chords that make the music feel like it’s constantly climbing upward.
When the choir hits the "Tell Him what you want!" section, the tension is at its peak. The drummer is usually hitting the snare on every beat—what they call a "four-on-the-floor" beat in dance music. This is why the if you confess the lord call him up song works so well in a live setting. It’s designed to create a "peak experience."
Finding the Best Versions to Listen To
If you want the "authentic" experience, you have to go beyond the 30-second clips on your phone. You need the full-length recordings where the choir really gets to stretch out.
- Chicago Mass Choir: Their version is arguably the gold standard for the modern era. The energy is relentless. It’s a masterclass in choral dynamics.
- Keith Pringle: Check this out if you like that 1980s polished sound. It’s nostalgic but still hits incredibly hard.
- The Williams Brothers: They bring a bit more of a "quartet" feel to the concept. It’s a bit more stripped back but has that soul-stirring grit.
- Live Church Recordings: Honestly, some of the best versions aren't even on Spotify. They are on YouTube, recorded on a shaky camera in a storefront church in Chicago or Memphis. That’s where the song lives.
How to Bring This Energy Into Your Own Life
You don't have to be a choir director to appreciate the mechanics of this song. There’s a psychological benefit to "confessing" or speaking your truths out loud. It’s a form of externalization. When you sing about calling someone up to tell them what you want, you’re defining your needs.
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Musicians can learn a lot from this track too. The way the lead singer ad-libs over the choir’s "Call Him Up" chant is a lesson in improvisation. They aren't just singing notes; they are reacting to the energy of the room. It’s a feedback loop.
Key Takeaways for the Gospel Enthusiast
If you’re trying to track down this specific song or perform it, keep these things in mind. First, don't overcomplicate it. The beauty is in the repetition. Second, watch the tempo. If you go too slow, it loses the "shout" feel. If you go too fast, the choir will trip over the lyrics.
The if you confess the lord call him up song remains a titan of the genre because it’s accessible. It doesn't require a theology degree to understand. It just requires a voice and a bit of rhythm. Whether you're calling Him up for strength, for thanks, or just because you’ve got the spirit, the song provides the perfect "line" to do it.
To really get the most out of this music, stop listening to it through tiny phone speakers. Put on some real headphones or, better yet, find a local gospel concert. Feel the vibration of the organ’s bass pedals in your chest. That is how the song was meant to be experienced.
Next time you hear that familiar "If you confess..." line, don't just sit there. Pay attention to the "drive" section at the end—that's where the real magic happens. It's not just a song; it's a blueprint for joy.
Actionable Steps for Exploring Gospel Traditions
- Audit the Classics: Listen to the Chicago Mass Choir's "Call Him Up" and compare it to Keith Pringle's version to see how production styles changed between decades.
- Study the "Drive": Watch live videos of gospel praise breaks to understand how musicians transition from a structured song into an improvised high-energy section.
- Learn the Metaphor: Explore other "telecommunication" spirituals like "Jesus on the Mainline" to see how technology has influenced religious songwriting over the last century.
- Practice Call-and-Response: If you're a musician, use the song's structure to practice "leading" a group, focusing on how to cue a choir or audience during the repetitive refrain.