The 10 Most Important Worship Songs (2015 Edition)

Okay, so maybe “important” is subjective. However, I thought it would be helpful to list these as most important, based on 3 specific factors about worship music: musicality, lyrical strength, and influence.

Musicality (10 possible points): This score considers the unique musical composition of each song as well as the playability of that music. Worship music is for the church, so if you’re off writing worship songs that require 3 major 11 chords every other note and involve overly complex melodies… Well, let’s just say the majority of worship leaders and worship team members/musicians are going to roll their eyes and groan at the sight of a chart.

Lyrical Strength (10 possible points): Yes, I know, worship music includes a lot of 7-11 songs, as my pastor likes to call them – “You sing 7 words 11 times over.” However, a limited number of words isn’t so important as the clear communication of an idea, in my opinion. This factor judges based on theological validity and clear portrayal of an idea.

Influence (15 possible points): I consider this the highest factor in the “importance” of a worship song, mostly because “the proof is in the pudding,” as they say. (Also, who is they? What pudding is this?) But seriously, if a song is important to modern worship, it will be proven by how influential that song has become. A perfect 15 would be a song that anyone in Christianity has definitely heard before and that has crossed generational/cultural lines.

10. Forever – 25 points

Musicality: 8/10
Lyrical Strength: 5/10
Influence: 12/15

I. Love. This. Song. While it scored lowest on the list, it’s a personal favorite. Musically, it isn’t “special:” it does have a recognizable lead line, and it is easily playable. However, what truly makes it stand out is the instrumentation. And nothing makes me happier than big drum builds amidst shouting about the resurrection of Jesus.

The only real issue I have with this song comes in the lyrics. To be honest, I hadn’t thought it though much until my pastor pointed out some problems with the verses. I should state that the prechorus through the end of the song hold no significant problems. In fact, I love them! They aren’t all “me”-centric, and they communicate the exciting truth about the resurrection of Christ. But look at these three lines in the verses:

“The moon and stars, they wept; the morning sun was dead”

“The Savior of the world was fallen”

“The Son of God was laid in darkness”

Without getting into a deep discussion about it – I feel these lines take poetic license a bit too far. That first phrase doesn’t make a great deal of sense, and the other two could be misinterpreted to imply that Jesus somehow sinned or possibly didn’t have control over what happened at Calvary.

Regarding influence – this song is widely known, although perhaps more heavily in a younger generation, based mostly on the age of the song. I had the privilege of attending the Passion Conference in January 2015, and when the first few words of “Forever” were sung, the room nearly exploded with anticipation as 15,000 students and leaders geared up to “sing hallelujah.”

Songwriters: Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Gabriel Wilson, Jenn Johnson, Joel Taylor, Kari Jobe
© 2013 KAJE Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing, Bethel Music Publishing

9. Oceans – 26 points

Musicality: 7/10
Lyrical Strength: 7/10
Influence: 12/15

The musical strength of Oceans comes mainly from the slow build in its structure – you know that, by the end, your trust’s borders are going to be decimated. [#praise] It also has a recognizable lead line, playable chords, and a singable, catchy melody line. It does have a tendency to “wander” a bit, which I would attribute as the purpose behind Hillsong’s remix release of several different versions of the song.

Lyrically, I enjoy the use of metaphor, although there are one or two lines that fall flat, in my opinion (don’t think me insane, but I don’t like “where feet may fail”). However, beyond that, I think the biggest drawback, lyrically, is the wordiness of the lyrics overall.

Influence, for me, is fairly wide, although I do find this to be a song that is more relevant to a younger generation.

Songwriters: Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Salomon Ligthelm
© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

8. Forever Reign – 28 points

Musicality: 7/10
Lyrical Strength: 8/10
Influence: 13/15

This song originally didn’t appear on my list, but after I thought more about it, the more I realized it was striking in its simplicity and yet profound in its depth. Musically, it has a strong, simple intro line, great chord structure, and it doesn’t get overly boring to play. The only real “negative” I see might be the vast range required to sing the song as originally done. In many churches, the low level of musical sophistication means that songs with huge ranges often lose the participation of the typical church member.

Lyrically, I find Forever Reign an incredible example of simple, singable lyrics that communicate an idea very well. It’s also chock full of biblical truth. In addition, it’s a “response” type of song that doesn’t leave me wishing I’d actually had the opportunity to sing about Jesus. Yes, it’s about what we are doing in response to who God is, but it talks a lot more about about Him than it does about us.

As it’s been recorded by several different artists, I’d also postulate that its reach is far and wide, though not as deeply as some others may be.

Songwriters: Jason Ingram and Reuben Morgan
© 2009 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing), West Main Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing), Windsor Hill Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)

7. The Stand – 29 points

Musicality: 9/10
Lyrical Strength: 7/10
Influence: 13/15

Musically, The Stand is a song that, I believe, embodies the best parts of worship music. The chord structure is not boring or overly repetitive – it takes creative license and even adds chords to chorus repeats. However, the bridge (which it’s best known for) uses a 4-chord repeat to drive the big build there. The melody is singable, and the bridge is especially catchy.

Like Forever Reign, this song employs a responsive lyric while still focusing on God. Yes, the bridge is stating our response, but the entire song as a whole gives a very good reason for that response: He stood before us and gave us every reason to surrender everything. The biggest issue with this song is that, unfortunately, the verses and chorus are fairly forgettable. But remember – we’re talking about the best of the best here, so even “forgettable” in this context isn’t to say much.

In addition, most people in modern Christian culture would recognize the bridge, if not the whole song. I’m curious to know whether or not the declaration of “I’ll stand with arms high” limits the reach of this particular song in contexts where hand-raising is either very infrequent or altogether discouraged, but I honestly am not sure how to measure that in any way.

Songwriter: Joel Houston
© 2005 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

6. How He Loves – 30 points

Musicality: 9/10
Lyrical Strength: 8/10
Influence: 13/15

Whether you prefer “sloppy wet” or “unforeseen” or like to make up your own lyric, we can probably all agree that this song has massively impacted a generation. Musically, it’s simple but recognizable. The melody is singable (although a bit range-y for the purposes of some church contexts), and lyrically, it’s poetic and beautiful. I did have to consider this song a long time before I “got it,” and it is a song that requires a bit of introduction to a congregation (or did, before it became humongous).

My favorite part of this song is the story – it was written out of an incredibly difficult time for author John Mark McMillan. But I’ll let him tell you the story.

Songwriter: John Mark McMillan
© 2005 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI))

5. Great I Am – 31 points

Musicality: 8/10
Lyrical Strength: 10/10
Influence: 13/15

What a song this is! Every time we start singing this song in my church, the congregation bubbles with anticipation. It’s truly one song I can say that has yet to get old. The melody is simple and the chord structure is varied. It doesn’t have an overly familiar lead line of any part that I feel sets it apart right away, but it honestly doesn’t matter once you start singing it.

Lyrically… Well… If you don’t like the lyrics of this song, you may need to visit the nearest altar immediately.

I’m not entirely sure of the reach of this, so 13/15 was my best educated guess. It should get even bigger. The powerful truth in this song makes me want to dance!

Songwriter: Jared Anderson
© 2011 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI))

4. Shout to the Lord – 31 points

Musicality: 7/10
Lyrical Strength: 9/10
Influence: 15/15

So, perhaps an older song such as this seems a bit out of place on this list. However, I find it “important,” because I watched it bridge an important gap in the last few decades that was necessary to bring about much of our modern worship music – it contains a great deal of truth in the lyrics, and doesn’t require endless repetition of many 7/11 “worship choruses” that were popular when it was first written. I see this as an important worship song because of the fact that it gave people a “middle ground” option between a traditional hymn and a repetitive chorus. And I’m always a fan of things that bring us together!

Musically, it is noticeably dated at this point in time. However, it’s still powerful in it’s own right, so that’s a fairly nit-picky comment to begin with. Lyrically, it’s solid and relatable, and I feel you’d be hard-pressed to find a Christian who has attended church at all in the last 20 years who has never heard this song.

Songwriter: Darlene Zschech
© 1993 Wondrous Worship (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

3. In Christ Alone – 32 points

Musicality: 9/10
Lyrical Strength: 9/10
Influence: 14/15

This one’s a personal favorite! Hopefully, it’s obvious, but the reason this song is “important” in my estimation is mainly the fact that it is a far-reaching “modern hymn,” another unifying piece of music that the church can use that is timeless and yet leaves no one out.

I was leading this worship at my father’s church one Sunday and had an incredible experience that I’ll never forget… But more on that later.

Musically and lyrically, it’s got a lot going on (typical for a hymn), but the point of the song is that it’s truly a story. It begins with the birth of Christ and ends with our part in His story. I’m getting a bit teary-eyed just thinking about it… So why don’t you just listen to it and I’ll stop crying?!

2. Revelation Song – 32 points

Musicality: 8/10
Lyrical Strength: 10/10
Influence: 14/15

This song stands on its own musically, although the repetitive chord structure and lack of a recognizable musical element means you wait to recognize this song from its unique chording. I love to follow this song melodically, because it’s not boring or even extremely repetitive, but it’s still singable and beautiful.

I’m not allowed to score this any lower than perfect because… Well, it’s scripture and I don’t want to go to Hell.

But seriously.

Back to seriousness – the influence of this is also incredible, considering how many artists have re-recorded it and the number of churches I’m sure still sing it on a regular basis. I have heard more than one worship leader repeat the lines of the third verse: “Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of Your name.” It’s one of my favorite things in the world – to acknowledge what amazing wonder it is that Jesus is Who He is.

1. How Great Is Our God – 33 points

Musicality: 8/10
Lyrical Strength: 10/10
Influence: 15/15

If you read this list and didn’t see this song, I’m sure you would have been shocked. So would I!

I give a 8/10 for musicality, only because the chord structure is so overly simplistic that what song you’re hearing is not immediately clear when you begin playing it. There is a generally recognizable intro, but I haven’t heard it used in the majority of the times I’ve heard the song led. I didn’t score it lower, though, because the melody is recognizable, easily singable, and pleasant. Lyrically, this song scores a 10/10 for me because it teaches a congregation attributes of God while communicating proper theology, and it’s still simple enough to easily learn and memorize.

No matter how you slice it, this is the first song most people go to when referring to an influential worship tune – it’s been sung all over the world, by all ages of people, and has not, apparently, dwindled in popularity in the 11 years since it’s release in 2004. That’s why I see this as a perfect score in the influence column.

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves
© 2004 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Wondrously Made Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Each of these songs appears on CCLI’s SongSelect database as the top 100 songs.

What other songs would you have added to this list? You’ll see I didn’t put any hymns on this list – that will be for another day. 🙂

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