Top Songs of 2011

From a great songwriting website: How to write a song

Here’s a quick look at CCLI’s “Best Worship Songs Of All Time”.  This is the list from 2011. It’s always worth seeing what works with a vast majority of people.  Click on the links, review the songs and see if you can ID what makes these songs so popular.  A great way to enhance your own writing is to be familiar with popular songs and this would be true with worship songwriting as well.

1. Mighty To Save
Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan

A great combination of alternative style of a Worship song that has a good guitar riffs and effects, Mighty To Save is one of Hillsong’s top notch song that has been recorded live with full dolby sound quality. Experience live worship with a twist of alternative rock makes a new breed of worship style. We all know that Hillsong Music does these kind of styles. If you listen to the song you will hear the intro of a guitar with a pleasing effect that does not compromise the worship. With a great line of voices to the bass lines and drum beats, this song is one of the top-selling songs world wide.

Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan did a great job in the lyric arrangement which makes the worshiper personalize the feel and the idea of God as the Mighty Savior of all.
(Vivien Here - This definitely is a great song...but...I think I would top it with "Shout To The Lord" because...a. it appeals to a wider age group b. it has more of a pure "worship" message c. it has been around, and is "proven" longer d. it just "soars" higher...to me)

2. How Great Is Our God
Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash

Whenever I hear this song, only one idea comes to my heart and mind, our God is so almighty and great. Chris Tomlin did a good popularization of this song on his live worship album. This song comes in two known version, acoustic live and the piano live version. The lyrics only connotes God as the greatest of all and is worthy of all our praise. This song is great for high worship during Sunday services or as a intro song (call to worship) before the praise and worship begins.
(Vivien Here: I don't think I will ever get sick of this song)

3. Blessed Be Your Name
Beth Redman, Matt Redman

Looking for a good smooth praise that can give a good start during Sunday services? I would highly recommend Matt Redman’s Blessed be Your Name. This song can be sung in many arrangements but the original soft alternative/rock version of this songs gives a good melodic touch. Even the phrasing of this song and the musical arrangement both lyrics and notes connotes the consistency and emphasis to be a hit song during Sunday Worship services. From the guitar riffs, song effects and bass and drum lines, this song gives a high impact with a relaxing touch. Nice job Matt and Beth Redman!

4. Everlasting God
Brenton Brown, Ken Riley

A great Acoustic-Alternative music style carries the emphasis of this song. Popularized by Chris Tomlin, this song hits the charts on its first three weeks after its release. Brenton Brown and Ken Riley did a great arrangement on both lyrics and song. Easy to learn and easy to play. The slow acoustic-alternative rock is a plus for this song. A good statring song to relax the congregation during Sunday Service.

5. Revelation Song
Jennie Lee Riddle

Kari Jobe gave a good popularization of this song. Written by Jennie Lee Riddle, this song gives a great emphasis on God and his revelation to all of us. Coming from the famous verse on Revelation book in the Bible, this song gives life to what was written almost 2000 years ago.

Imagine you and the rest of the believers witnessing the last times and seing angels and all mankind worship the Lord and sing “Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty,,,” try this song and get carried away as the anointing and power of worship manifests.
(Vivien here: Jennie brought this song for me to look at when she first wrote it. Silly me...I couldn't see the brilliance in it at the time)

6. Here I Am To Worship
Tim Hughes

Talking about a song that has a personal touch for worship, this song is always number one on my list. A lot of known Christian artist and bands like Hillsong United, Delirious and Planet Shakers did a rendition of this song. The lyrics starts describing that Jesus being the light of the world came to earth for one purpose, to love us all and save us so the only reason why we exist is to worship God.

As the song goes to the bridge ” I’ll never know how much it cost….” tears will always fall down in my eyes as I realize how Jesus did it all to save me and give me an everlasting life. So now, here I am giving my all to worship Him. Highly recommended to be on all Church activities. Draw people more by singing this song in your church today.
(Vivien Here: This is another song that I would possibly put at number 1)

7. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, John Newton

Chris Tomlin is really good doing his own rendition of an old but still popular hymn Amazing Grace. I still remember when I was still young learning this song during the Sunday school service. The song gives emphasis on God’s amazing grace to save us and break all the chains in life that binds us. A soft worship song that gives a peaceful sound and a relaxing atmosphere. As you listen to this, you will experience God’s saving love for you.

8. Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Paul Baloche

As I listen to this song, I wonder how this song was written, taking everything I got and reading my bible, I still couldn’t find how this song was written until I saw the interview of Paul Baloche inLeadWorshipDotcom, there Paul explained that this song was written by Him hearing a prayer. A prayer to open the hearts of all. So even a simple prayer can be written to be one of the best worship songs now.
(Vivien here: what a wonderful way to write a song - from a prayer - that is why this is more than a song, it is one of those "God snippets" of revelation)

The song is being played on an open E note which makes it easy for even guitar players to play and sing. One of the worship songs that hits world-wide.

9. Your Grace Is Enough
Matt Maher

The original version of this song begins with a techno-rock sound and a constand drum beat emphasis. As time goes by, being popularized by Chris Tomlin, the song evolves from techno-rock disco to alternative rock. Matt Maher’s lyric arrangement and phrasing makes it easy to learn and even singable in all types of congregation. In Asia, this song is on the top of the charts in Korea, Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia and in UK and Australia too.

The song gives a new breed of techno-alternative wave of live praise.

10. Jesus Messiah
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash

From Chris Tomlin’s  Hello Love album comes a very dramatic yet powerful song. The song describes Jesus the Messiah who saves all of us. As you listen to the soft alternative style of worship, you will hear the mellow guitar riffs and the combination of Chris Tomlin’s voice giving a live emotion to the lyrics of the song. Jesus the Messiah, love so amazing, these are the phrases that will stick in our hearts and minds as we listen to this great song.

11. In Christ Alone
Stuart Townend, Keith Getty
(Vivien Here: I love the "throw back" hymn style of this song. There is no chorus - just 4 fabulous verses of brilliant lyrics.)

12. Holy Is The Lord
Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio

13. Forever
Chris Tomlin

14. Shout To The Lord
Darlene Zschech
(Vivien here: I my opinion - this has got to be one of the top 3 worship songs of all time - the chorus just "flies!")

15.  Come Now Is The Time To Worship
Brian Doerksen

16.  Our God
Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin, Jesse Reeves

17. You Are My King (Amazing Love)
Billy Foote
(Vivien Here: Many years ago I ministered with Billy and his wife on a TV program being made for Iran. He sang this song, and I have been "in love" with it since. The hymn "And Can It Be?" otherwise known as "Amazing Love" would also be on my top 10 list of hymns)

18. Lord I Lift Your Name On High
Rick Founds

19. From The Inside Out
Joel Houston

20. Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)
Paul Baloche, Brenton Brown

21. How He Loves
John Mark McMillan
(Vivien here: this song was launched with such controversy - I am so pleased to see it on the list. It is higher up than I would put it, but I agree it should make this list)

22. God Of Wonders
Marc Byrd, Steve Hindalong

23. Hosanna
Brooke Fraser

24. The Heart Of Worship
Matt Redman
(Vivien here: of all the wonderful Matt Redman songs, this one is one of the best - you just can't beat these lyrics)

25. Beautiful One
Tim Hughes

26. We Fall Down
Chris Tomlin

27. How Great Thou Art
Stuart Wesley, Keene Hine

28. You Never Let Go
Matt Redman, Beth Redman

29. Days Of Elijah
Robin Mark
(Vivien here: another song that just "soars" in the chorus)

30. Trading My Sorrows
Darrell Evans

31. Happy Day
Ben Cantelon, Tim Hughes

32. You Are My All In All
Dennis Jernigan
(Vivien Here: this song was such a "friend" in some difficult days. Dennis came to our church in Dallas and ministered so graciously)

33.  Glory To God Forever
Steve Fee, Vicky Beeching

34. The Stand
Joel Houston
(Vivien here: I love the time that Hillsong take with this song when they sing it - the stillness that leads to passion. "The Stand" lends itself to waiting on God, and that is such a blessing with this one)

35.  Lord Reign In Me
Brenton Brown
(Vivien here: so simple - so brilliant - a perfect marriage of lyric and melody- making it so singable for all ages)

36. Sing To The King
Billy Foote, Charles Silvester Horne

37.  Breathe
Marie Barnett
(Vivien Here: I will never forget when this song came out - truly a breath of fresh air in the Church)

38.  Lead Me To The Cross
Brooke Fraser

39.  You’re Worthy Of My Praise
David Ruis
(Vivien here: It's so nice to see a David Ruis song on this list - he has written so many good ones over the years.)

40.  Better Is One Day
Matt Redman
(Vivien Here: Such a fabulous worship message)

41.  Love The Lord
Lincoln Brewster

42.  My Savior Lives
Jon Egan

43. I Will Rise 
Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Jesse Reeves, Matt Maher

44.  I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
Martin Smith
(Vivien here: in my opinion, Martin's best song is "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble" - a brilliant song on so many levels, and I think it should be on this list. "I Could Sing..." is an easier song and I can understand why it is here, but I still think "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble" is a "better" song and more worthy of the top 50)

45.  My Savior My God
Aaron Shust

46.  Enough
Chris Tomlin

47.  The Wonderful Cross
Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin, J. D. Walt, Isaac Watts, Lowell Mason
(Vivien here: this is one of my all-time favorite hymns - there are several melodies written for these lyrics, this new one is no less powerful)

48.  Draw Me Close
Kelly Carpenter
(Vivien here: I think this song should be further up on the list - such a great congregational song - all generations can sing this one, where some of the others further up are difficult for older folks. This is another one that I never get sick of singing)

49. My Redeemer Lives
Reuben Morgan

50. Today Is The Day
Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche
(Vivien here: I love the joy in this song. A great twist for a common theme)

You can go further down to this page for another list of songs from other worship genres: http://theheartoftheworshiper.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-07-03T21:24:00-06:00&max-results=20