If you’ve already read my first blog, you know that I believe that good music is a critical component of Catholic Youth Ministry. That’s why I’m sharing my top 20 favorite praise and worship songs of the decade. In today’s blog, I am sharing songs 11-20, in no particular order. Remember, they’re all #1…
11. Matt Maher: “Your Grace is Enough”
This might be the most ubiquitous praise and worship song of the decade. (I found nearly 100 versions of the song on iTunes.) Matt Maher first played “Your Grace is Enough” at Life Teen’s own XLT in Phoenix earlier this decade and then broadcast through LifeTeen.com. There’s a reason why ever sense the song is played in churches all over the globe–it’s catchy.
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/your-grace-is-enough/id276986662?i=276986690
12. Hillsong: “From the Inside Out (Everlasting)”
I imagine that some day this song will be performed on American Idol and then quickly become the most requested song on pop radio. Until that day comes, “Everlasting” will remain a special song that Christians can sing together about how our soul longs for God. The song really starts to boom at the 2:30 mark. The room shakes every time.
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/from-the-inside-out/id185893063?i=185893355
13. Chris Tomlin: “How Great is Our God”
This song is easy to perform and easy to sing. What makes this song special is that at it’s peak, music ministers often flip to the Stuart K. Hine’s classic gospel hymn “How Great Thou Art” and then back to “How Great is Our God.” I know that if you’ve never heard this done before, it seems confusing and therefore unappealing. But trust me…this song is so beautiful! I had Matt Maher play it at my wedding. I’m pretty sure the whole congregation started crying.
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/how-great-is-our-god/id27672964?i=27672884
14. Matt Maher: “Adoration”
Totally Catholic and totally beautiful.
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/adoration/id207086783?i=207093254
15. Chris Tomlin: “Indescribable”
This song goes far because it’s catchy plus it includes imagery from nature, making it a staple at Life Teen and Edge Camps each summer. (I would prefer to share the song from the Passion Conference, but it wasn’t available online.)
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/indescribable/id27672964?i=27672871
16. Traditional: “It Is Well With My Soul”
This song is as old as the hills, but it still sounds relevant today. A cool way to gently end an evening of praise and worship. I prefer Shane & Shane’s recording…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzDvQ3eLwaM
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/passion-how-great-is-our-god/id57930433
17. Matt Maher – Divine Praises [chorus from "King of Glory" by Third Day]
There’s no better way to close Eucharistic Adoration that with Matt’s Divine Praises.
18. Chris Tomlin: “Holy is the Lord”
What can I say? It’s awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VorOIguDSiA&feature=related
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/holy-is-the-lord/id6042265?i=6042232
19. Delirious? / Martin Smith: “Our God Reigns”
EPIC. The chorus of this song is about as good as it gets. If you’ve ever attended a Steubenville Conference and stood amidst 2000 teenagers singing this song, then you know how gentle but powerful this song can be. At Steubenville San Diego several years ago, Matt Maher and the music ministry team built up the group to the chorus and then slowly stepped away from the microphones and stopped playing their instruments. The teenagers continued the song completely unaware that it was their voices alone that were filling the arena for the next three minutes. Tear jerker. If you like this song, don’t miss Martin Smith’s “My Glorious.” It’s just as good.
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/our-god-reigns/id200045100?i=200045835
20. Chris Tomlin: “Holy is the Lord”
I don’t know how Chris Tomlin can write so many great songs. It’s amazing.
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/holy-is-the-lord/id41737221?i=41737207
BONUS: Coldplay: “Fix You”
Okay, so we all know that Coldplay isn’t known for writing church music. But some songs so inherently beautiful that they stir your soul even without words. The 2:25 minute mark in Coldplay’s “Fix You” does exactly that. I was at NCYC several years ago when Matt Maher’s band transitioned between two praise and worship songs with Coldplay’s giant instrumental arrangement from “Fix You” and the teens went crazy. Even the grownups in the room who didn’t know it was Coldplay were completely drawn into the moment. Beautiful!
Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fix-you/id66092910?i=66092529
Summary: Music Matters!
So there you have it–my favorite 20 praise and worship songs of the past decade. What are you favorites? Leave a comment and share your top picks! Also, let people know in what environment the song fits best. I want to hear from you!
The Decade’s Best Praise & Worship Songs, Part 2 | CatholicYouthMinistry.com – Powered by Life Teen http://ow.ly/1yNd9
That's what i'm talking about! Nice Chris Tomlin picks. I really enjoy all the music from the Passion Movement. They always lift my soul to worship. PTL!
I love all the ones on your list.I would have added Charlie Hall's “Center.”Other than that, great picks Matt.
so if it’s not Chris Tomlin or Matt Maher it has less of a chance apparently to make your list. Fail. Start over.
Definitely way too many Matt Maher songs! Love Matt and his songs, but do not think he should've have this many songs on the top 20 lists. I agree with Masson that more Passion songs could be on here, but then as a college student who goes to Passion every year, I'm biased. Maybe a Charlie Hall song on here could fit. And one song that is life changing and powerful is “With Everything” by Hillsong. I would put Chris Tomlin's “How Great is Our God” at number one.
Another great list of songs, Matt. You said you hadn’t heard “Hosanna” by Hillsong. Go do it now. There’s always Part III. Love, Dad
That is my favorite song! The first time I heard it I instantly fell in love with it! I heard it at D-now this january & that was the night I fully gave my life to Christ! Praise the Lord. He is good!
You forgot1. Trading My Sorrows2. Shine, Jesus, Shine3. Come, Now is the Time to Worship4. Gotta Serve Somebody by Bob Dylan5. Lean on Me (complete with hand motions)6. Anything I can cross-clap to.and my personal favorite…Day by Day from the theatrical musical “Godspell”3. Day By Day from Godspell
Thanks Matt for posting this.. This gives me some songs to shoot for in our Youth Liturgy.I love “It Is Well” and especially love Chris Rice's version of the song. Old hymns can come to life with beautiful arrangement in liturgy or a slight tweak in a contemporary format. These are all incredible songs and we have been using “From the Inside Out” and have noticed that it is perfect for liturgy as it's exactly what happens when we take in Jesus in the Eucharist as he is transforming our hearts “from the inside out”. Thank you for the incredible work you do for our church
I agree Hosanna Hillsong is amazing!
Awesome! Just got back from Stuebenville San Diego and all the kids wanted the music. Thank you for putting most of them together for me. May God Bless you and your blog.
love it! but #18 and #20 are the same song…I guess its just that good