The 56 Greatest Gospel Songs of All Time: Music's Most Moving Spirituals (2023)

You don't have to be religious to be touched by the power of the best gospel music. At the end,- along with rock 'n' roll legends like Elvis Presley andRolling Stones. UntilBob Dylantried to write real gospel songs. What follows is a list of what we consider to be the greatest gospel songs of all time, perfect for taking you to musical heaven...

Check ours while you readgospel hitsPlaylist here.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Everyone is going to have a great time up there

Elvis Presley, himself an excellent gospel musicianSister Rosetta Tharpeas one of your favorite singers and guitarists. Born in Arkansas in 1915, Tharpe sang gospel songs from the 1930s and recorded regularly for Decca Records. She was a true inspiration. All you need to hear is the guitar intro to her 1947 hit "The Lord Followed Me" to honor Chuck Berry's musical debt to her. In 1948, Tharp released a 78-disc Decca release of the Lee Roy Abernathy song "Everybody's Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There", which has been described as "gospel boogie".

Hank Williams: I've seen the light

Hank Williams"I Saw the Light" is one of the best examples of country gospel. He was writing the song on his way home from a dance in Fort Deposit, Alabama, when his mother, Lilly, saw a lighthouse near Dannelly Field Airport and woke her son saying, "Hank, wake up, we're about to close." House. I just saw the light.” Although the song initially had little commercial success, it later became one of his best-known songs. That's the name of the 2015 Williams biopic starring Tom Hiddlestoni saw the light.

Sidney Bechet: When the Saints Invade

This acclaimed upbeat song (with lyrics heavily inspired by the Book of Revelations) became something of a gospel jazz standard after Louis Armstrong's stunning 1938 version. However, "When The Saints Go Marching In" also features a brilliant instrumental version by New Orleans legend Sidney Bechet.

Sam Cooke: Peace in the Valley

Sam Cookegrew up listening to "Peace in the Valley", a song written for Mahalia Jackson by Thomas A. Dorsey in 1937 and later recorded by hundreds of musicians, including Presley and Little Richard. In 1950, it was one of the first songs that the 19-year-old Cooke recorded while lead singer of the gospel group Soul Stirrers. Cooke, who went on to become one of pop music's finest soul singers, was also a natural gospel performer during this period of his career.

Marian Anderson: Move a little higher

"Move On Up A Little Higher" was another big hit for Mahalia Jackson. However, there is a notable version of the song, written by Baptist minister William Herbert Brewster in the 1940s, which was recorded by Marian Anderson, the celebrated Philadelphia contralto.

Dinah Washington: The Lord's Prayer

Em Washington, one of the most popular singers of the 1950s, grew up singing church music. She sang lead in the first female gospel singers formed by Sallie Martin, co-founder of the Gospel Singers Convention. In 1952, Washington recorded a vocal version of "The Lord's Prayer"—the prayer Jesus taught his disciples when they asked him how they should pray—for Mercury Records, the label for which she recorded so many jazz classics. Washington's voice rises and rises with these important words.

Aretha Franklin: There's a Blood Pit

Aretha Franklin was just 14 when she recorded the 1956 albumsongs of faith(laterReissued in 1983 asAretha-Gospel) at New Bethel Baptist Church, where his father was a pastor. Notable performances include his rendition of this hymn by 18th-century English writer and poet William Cowper.

The Kossoy Sisters: I'll Fly Away

Written by noted gospel composer Albert E. Brumley, "I'll Fly Away" was recorded in 1956 by harmony experts and identical twins The Kossoy Sisters. A sublime version by Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss was later used by the Coen brothers.Oh brother where are you?. Kanye West even recorded a version.

Sam Cooke: Touch the hem of your garment

This 1956 modern gospel gem easily makes this list of the greatest gospel songs of all time and was quickly written off as a soul singer.Sam Cookewas on his way to a recording session with his group The Soul Stirrers. Their majestic harmony on "Touch The Hem Of His Garment" is a fine example of a male quartet singing in the era of American music when vocal groups were so popular.

Thelonious Monk: Stay with me

Doris Day edited a sweet version of this song for her 1962 albumYou'll never Walk Alone, but there is a very distinct interpretation of the gospel classic byTelonian monge. His instrumental jazz recording for his 1957 albummusica do monge, features jazz giantsJohn Coltrane,Coleman Hawkins,eDrummer Art Blakey.

Mahalia Jackson: He has the whole world in his hands

Mahalia Jackson, singer with one of the most beautiful voices in the history of gospel music, lived up to this joyous 1927 spiritual.billboardcharts, a strong performance for a gospel single at the time when Elvis Presley,Chuck Berry,and Jerry Lee Lewis dominated the ranking. Mahalia Jackson's music alone could fill a list of the best gospel songs, so special mention must be made of her 1958 version of "Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho", sung with such emotion and enthusiasm.

Tennessee Ernie Ford: What a friend we have

Written by influential gospel composer Thomas Andrew Dorsey, this gospel standard has been played by a number of leading musicians includinglittle Richardand Elvis Presley. In 1960, Tennessee country singer Ernie Ford had a hit with Capitol Records.

Nat King Cole: On the Riverbank

Many of the best gospel songs lend themselves to jazz interpretation. This famous spiritual - also known as "Ain't Gonna Study War No More" and "Gonna Lay Down My Burden" - has its origins in the American Civil War (1861-65), although it was not published until 1918, when it appeared inPlantation Melodies: A Collection of Modern, Popular, and Old Black Songs from Southland, Chicago. The song, filled with powerful biblical imagery, has been recorded by hundreds of leading musicians, including Bing Crosby,Johnny Cash,e Van Morrison.Nat King Colesang regularly at concerts.

Big Bill Broonzy: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

A singing group favorite since the Fisk Jubilee Singers' version in 1909, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is regularly sung in churches and has also become a favorite at sporting venues around the world. There's an incredibly touching version of the blues legendBig Bill Broonzyin yourlast sessionsAlbum recorded in 1961, shortly before his death.

Louis Armstrong: No one knows the problems I've seen

Louis Armstrongbrings emotion and depth to this powerful spiritual song, written during the era of slavery and published in 1867 on his tribute album to Satchmo.

Johnny Cash: My God is real (Yes, God is real)

This gospel classic is fromJohnny Cash1962 albumhymns from the heart. A native of Arkansas, Cash said he came back from working in the fields when he was 16, singing gospel songs he heard on the radio. He recalled, "I was singing these old gospel songs to my mother, and she said, 'Is that you?' And I said, 'Yes ma'am.' And she came up to me and hugged me and said, 'God has laid hands on you.'”

Grant Green: Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho

Some gospel songs are so well known for their melody and lyrics that they are considered purely instrumental melodies. 1963 for the iconic Blue Note label, a great guitargrant greenrecorded a version of "Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho" - about the battle in which Joshua led the Israelites against Canaan - for his albumfeel the spirit. Or pianist was Herbie Hancock.

Nina Simone: sinful man

Some of what we consider to be the best gospel songs were written outside the church. "sinner' was based on a traditional African-American spiritual that began as a Scottish folk song. It was a song Nina Simone would have heard at her local church, where she was a pianist from an early age. She sometimes performed live versions of the song that lasted nearly 15 minutes.

Edwin Hawkins Cantores: Oh Happy Day

"Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel arrangement of an 18th century hymn, and was another song to hit the mainstream charts. The Edwin Hawkins Singers version reached No. 4 on the US singles chart, No. 2 in the UK and Ireland, and No. 1 in France and Germany. The band won a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance in 1970.

Ella Fitzgerald: What a Friend We Have in Jesus

jazz legendElla Fitzgeraldrecorded a version of What a Friend We Have in Jesus for the 1967 Capitol Records albumlight up the corner— more than a century after the hymn was written as a poem by preacher Joseph M. Scriven to comfort his mother, who was still living in Ireland after he emigrated to Canada. Fitzgerald's haunting version is supported by the Ralph Carmichael Choir.

Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water

"God doesn't like pop music," he joked.Paulo Simonrecently "he likes gospel shows". This modern classic was written by Simon and recorded by the acclaimed duo in 1970. A year later Aretha Franklin saw its potential to stand alongside some of the greatest gospel songs and released a more open gospel version. In June 2017, an all-star charity version was launched to raise money for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London.

Cat Stevens: It's morning

"Morning Has Broken" is a 1931 hymn by English children's author Eleanor Farjeon.gato Stevens' Almost reverent arrangement of the song - with the Yes keyboardist's expressive piano playingRick Wakemann- was recorded for their album in 1971Teaser e o Firecat. The single peaked at number 6 on the charts. Stevens later admitted, "I accidentally stumbled upon the song when I was going through a dry spell. I came across this hymn book, I found this song and I thought, 'This is good,' and I put the chords in it and then it started to play. associated with me.”

Ry Cooder: Jesus on the mainline

Robert Plantand Randy Travis sang versions of this traditional spiritual, but the best version is the live tour de force version of Ry Cooder And The Chicken Skin Band. A stunning example of roots gospel music.

Shirley Caesar: Jesus I love calling your name

Shirley Caesar, born in 1938, has made a name for herself as one of the most important gospel singers of modern times. Caesar, who began recording at age 12, preaches at Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in her hometown of Durham, North Carolina. "My vocation is first and foremost as a preacher and evangelist and secondly as a singer," she said. Her version of her own composition, Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name, showcases her rich, soulful voice.

Yolanda Adams: The fight is the Lord's

Yolanda Adams, who was born in Houston, Texas, in 1961, is one of the most influential gospel singers in the world - in part because of her record worldwide sales of 10 million, but also because she hosts a national television show. 1983 for the albumsave the worldshe delivered a rousing rendition of "The Battle Belongs to the Lord". A later live version of the track from the albumYolanda... mora em Washington, won Song of the Year at the 1994 Stellar Awards. "The Battle is the Lord's" was composed by gifted gospel songwriter V. Michael McKay.

Etta James: Give me the old religion

Dating back to 1873, this traditional gospel song is said to have its roots in English folk music. It's popular with country singers - Dolly Parton, Crystal Gayle and Charlie Rich have all covered it - but maybe the choice is a live version of Etta James.

Van Morrison: Just a Closer Walk With You

Van Morrison, who wrote his own gospel song titled "(Lord) If I Ever Needed Someone" in 1967, included two gospel hymns on his 1991 albumHymns to Silence. Alongside 'Be Thou My Vision', the Belfast-born musician recorded a powerful version of 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee' whose title and lyrics are taken from passages in the Bible. Morrison, who also references Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet in additional words, is joined by excellent singers Carol Kenyon and Katie Kissoon.

Alison Krauss and the Cox Family: I'd Rather Have Jesus

Proof that the best gospel songs really do transcend genre was a 1994 country singerAlison Kraussjoined the Cox Family (who later appeared in the Coen brothers' filmOh brother where are you?) to record the albumI know who holds tomorrow. Fine songs on the album include the beautiful "I'd Rather Have Jesus", written by gospel star George Beverly Shea. Shea has performed live to hundreds of millions of people during his singing career with preacher Billy Graham. Krauss and The Cox Family won a Grammy for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album.

Fred Hammond: We are blessed

Fred Hammond has earned a reputation as the king of the urban gospel groove. The Detroit-born singer, who is also an accomplished bassist, recorded a version of "We're Blessed" for his albumDer Innenhof. The song, co-written with permanent collaborator Tommie Walker, has a funky, bouncy melody and features her backing group, Radical For Christ.

Bob Dylan: Pass Me Not O Gentle Retter

Fanny Crosby, known as the queen of gospel songwriters, wrote this song in 1868. It was recorded by the Nobel Prize winner over a century later.Bob Dylan, who are believed to have learned their version from the Stanley brothers. During the late '70s and early '80s, Dylan also released what he called the "Christian Trilogy" of albums, includingsaved, which includes his own songs like "Precious Angel".

CeCe Winans: Alabaster-Box

Detroit native CeCe Winans has won 12 Grammys and recorded five platinum and gold gospel albums. Her beautiful 1999 hit "Alabaster Box" was recorded by Dr. Janice Sjostrand, an academic and musician who has performed for Ray Charles. The heartfelt religious lyrics ("I've come to go my Lob on Him/like oil from Mary's Alabaster Box") matched Winans' silky, heartfelt delivery.

Donnie McClurkin: Great Is His Mercy – Live

The famous Fairfield Halls in Croydon, England, was a regular haunt for American jazz and blues stars in the 1960s. Gospel giant Donnie McClurkin chose the location for his 2000 albumLiving in London and much more. McClurkin delivers a rousing version of "Great Is Your Mercy," which features some haunting solo vocals from his backing choir members. "It was somewhat inspired by Andraé Crouch, who released his own live London album in 1978. London was one of my favorite cities," said McClurkin.

Ray Charles: incredible grace

This is perhaps one of the most popular hymns/spiritual songs of the past two centuries. Depicting deep religious joy, sublime words and melodies reach around the world, and "Amazing Grace" is estimated to have appeared on over 11,000 albums, including one featuring a version by Ray Charles with the London Symphony Orchestra. There are also great versions of Elvis Presley,Diana Ross,eWilli Nelson.

Donald Lawrence: The best is yet to come

Donald Lawrence, a former music minister at Southern Baptist Church in Cincinnati's Reading Road, took over music as music director for the Tri-City Singers. With them, Lawrence recorded the inspirational track "The Best Is Yet to Come", the first single from his 2002 album.get your life back. Lawrence's line, "Wait my brother, don't give up / Wait my sister, just look up" was later regularly quoted in Christian-inspired literature and on social media.

Bruce Springsteen: Oh Mary, não chore

This haunting spiritual gospel tells the biblical story of Mary of Bethany and her plea to Jesus to raise her brother Lazarus from the dead. Springsteen said the challenge of singing gospel music is "that you have to find your individual place in it". "O Mary Don't You Weep", which served as the inspiration for "Bridge Over Troubled Water", is a song that has also been widely recorded, including versions by Pete Seeger and Burl Ives.

Marvin Sapp: Never would have made it

When Marvin Sapp's father, Henry, died in September 2006, the 39-year-old singer said he struggled to find the words to preach a few days later. Then a divine inspiration struck him and words of comfort came to his mind. "I started singing, 'Without you I would never have made it, I would never have made it, I would have gone crazy.' The Lord told me He would always be there for me," Sapp later recalled. He finished writing the song with arranger Matthew Brownie and recorded a version for his 2007 album.Thirsty. The single "Never Would Have Made It" topped the gospel charts for 46 weeks.

Patty Griffin: Up the Mountain (música MLK)

Country singer Patty Griffin has written two beautiful modern gospel songs, "Heavenly Day" and "Up To The Mountain (MLK ​​​​​​Song)", the latter of which is a song that celebrates religion and the inspirational power of the sermons of Martin Luther King celebrates. ("Up To" was later covered by Susan Boyle.) Griffin, who also sang a duet with Mavis Staples on "Waiting for My Child to Come Home," admitted that she had no background in gospel music before recording her 2007 albumInnenstadtkirche, which was recorded at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville.

The Clark Sisters: Blessed and Highly Favored - Live

After a long period apart, the Clark Sisters (Twinkie, Karen Clark-Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Jacky Clark-Chisholm) reunited for the specialLive – One last timeAlbum. A splendid example of the brothers' natural gift for harmony, the Karen-penned song "Blessed & Highly Favored" was given some highly polished production values ​​by Donald Lawrence. The track won the 2008 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. The record is considered one of gospel's greatest reunion tracks.

Andraé Crouch: May the church say amen

Andraé Crouch is one of the most influential gospel arrangers in modern music - he has worked with Michael Jackson, Elton John and Madonna - and his song "Let The Church Say Amen" featured vocals by Pastor Marvin Winans (CeCe's brother), an accompanying choir and the deft organ played by Carl Wheeler. "All I want in life is to be remembered as someone who truly loved God. I want God to use me," Crouch said.

Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago: Great

Charles Jenkins had a lot of work to do when he succeeded the Rev. doctor Clay Evans, a celebrated civil rights activist, became pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. Two years later, he joined the Fellowship's acclaimed radio choir to record the albumThe best of both worlds, from which the exuberant single "Awesome" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums & Singles chart.

Whitney Houston: Her eye is on the sparrow

Written in 1905, His Eye Is on the Sparrow is a true gospel classic. It became a signature song for Ethel Waters and was recorded by Mahalia Jackson.marvin gaye, and Diana Ross - and was used in the sequelsister act. In 2011, Whitney Houston recorded her own rousing version for the musical's soundtrack.shine. Houston's single was released in June 2012, just four months after her tragic death at the age of 48.

Kierra Sheard: 2nd win

Kierra Sheard, granddaughter of gospel pioneer Mattie Moss Clark and daughter of Karen Clark Sheard, is at the forefront of progressive modern gospel, redefining music in ways she describes as "urban" and "relevant" to young audiences. Your 2014 albumGraceland, featured the hit "2nd Win" - co-composed by Sheard, his producer brother J. Drew Sheard II and Justin Brooks - which features contemporary music settings of R&B, pop, gospel and hip-hop with traditional gospel sentiments about the use the power of God to find strength.

Beyoncé: Take my hand, precious lord

"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" is another gospel classic written by Thomas A. Dorsey and one of the most covered songs in canon. There are stunning versions by Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Al Green. Music continues to have relevance, as evidenced by Beyoncé's performance at the 2015 Grammy Awards. Following the outrage over the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, Beyoncé handpicked a group of black men to join her in Take My Hand, Precious Lord (the gospel classic from the 2014 civil rights film).Selma) “to show the strength and vulnerability of the black man”.

Ezequias Walker: Thank you

Pastor Shawn Brown, who died in 2010, wrote a string of gospel hits, including "Grateful" by Hezekiah Walker. Walker, a preacher from New York, delivered his slow, soulful version for his albumBesser: Azusa The Next Generation 2. He was accompanied by actress and singer Antonique Smith. Walker said the track was designed to give people "encouragement" during difficult times.

Chance The Rapper: Segen

The best gospel music continues to fascinate, as Chance The Rapper shows with his 2016 song "Blessings." Featuring gospel singer Byron Cage, this intense and soulful song is based on the sound of a full gospel choir.

Kirk Franklin: Do you want to be happy?

“My goal is to bring people to the maker of their souls,” said Kirk Franklin, who won his 12th and 13th Grammys for his 2017 comeback album.losing my Religion. The song "Wanna Be Happy?" features a portion of "Tired Of Being Alone" sung with Al Green, the veteran soul singer who also has a distinguished gospel pedigree and has won eight Grammy Awards for Best Soul Gospel Performance.

Tasha Cobbs Leonard: I'm getting ready

Natasha Cobbs Leonard, always known as "Tasha," was born in Jesup, Georgia, in 1981, and has taken the gospel world by storm since bursting onto the scene with her 2013 albumgraciousness. Your 2017 albumHeart. Dedication. Follow.includes the eight-minute "I'm Getting Ready" stunt. The album was produced by her husband Kenneth Leonard Jr. and the track features vocals from rapper Nicki Minaj. This is energetic, modern gospel at its most passionate.

Passion & Travis Greene: God You're So Good

Growing up with a mother who was a pastor and choir director, Travis Greene said that gospel music "was like oxygen in our house, it's always been a part of my life." In 2018, he recorded a moving live version of "God, You're So Good" for Capitol Christian Music Group with the gospel singing group Passion led by Kristian Stanfill at Passion City Church in Atlanta.

Ricky Dillard: Mehr Medley (live)

In 2020, Grammy-nominated conductor Ricky Dillard made his Motown gospel debut with a multi-track single "Release" featuring Tiff Joy, which included the track "More Abundantly Medley". The song's lively music video, which was filmed at Haven of Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, was viewed over 1.7 million times on YouTube in its first year.

Tramaine Hawkins: Going Beyond

Tramaine Hawkins, who started singing with the Edwin Hawkins Group, went solo after 1968 and became a gospel legend. One of her most famous songs, "Goin' Up Yonder", was written by her husband, gospel singer Walter Hawkins. Although they divorced in 1994, she first performed the song in 1975 - on the albumLiving Love: Walter Hawkins and the Love Center Choir- remained a firm favourite. In June 2020, she released a new version of "Goin' Up Yonder" on the television series' fifth season soundtrack.green leaf. She said she re-recorded the song "to comfort and lift all those who have been so devastated by COVID-19 and police violence. Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven".

The Carter Family – The Circle Can Be Unbreakable (Little by Little)

Taken from a famous hymn, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken", the Carter family popularized this song in the 1930s. Since then, it has been covered by nearly all popular musicians with religious or spiritual leanings. (The list includes Bob Dylan, The Band, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mavis Staples, The Black Crowes, and many more.) Perhaps the most famous recent version, however, comes from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who used a variation of the name for his All-Star -bluegrass and country-western album in 1972. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. -Sam Armstrong

Ferlin Husky - Wings of a Pigeon

Ferlin Husky made this song famous in 1958 when he recorded it two years later. It remained at the top of the country charts for ten weeks. As anyone familiar with the Bible knows, there are many passages that mention doves, and the texts refer to several of them. It has since become a country classic, covered by nearly every great old-school legend. -Sam Armstrong

Pastor Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – Great

As pastor of the large and vibrant Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, Charles Jenkins already had a large platform. Jenkins took it to the next level with "Awesome". The album it came fromThe best of both worlds, eventually topping the gospel charts. -Sam Armstrong

Alan Jackson - The Old Tough Cross

This early 20th century anthem has been covered by many soul, jazz and country singers over the years, but our pick is Alan Jackson's version. It was first released by Jackson on the 2006 album,precious memories, a record on which Jackson explored his love of gospel. -Sam Armstrong

Elvis Presley - Mansion on the Hill

People who know gospel music inside and out will know that Elvis Presley was a talented interpreter of some of the greatest worship songs. Their version of "Mansion Over the Hilltop", taken from their 1960 album,His hand in mineit's just a shining example. -Sam Armstrong

Israel & New Race - Jesus the same

In the early 2000s, Israel Houghton was among the most acclaimed gospel pop singers at the Grammy Awards, receiving a plethora of nominations and wins. It's hard to pick a highlight from Houghton's discography, but "Jesus the Same" is certainly one of them, celebrating the steadfastness of the Son of God "yesterday, today, and forever." -Sam Armstrong

acknowledgments

Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons Why (Thank God)
Chris Tomlin - How Great Is Our God
Anne Murray - Put Your Hand in Your Hand
William McDowell - You Are Here
VaShawn Mitchell - No Greater
Ricky Dillard and New G - The Holy Place
Johnny Cash - Daddy Sang Bass
James Fortune & FIYA - I Trust You
Marion Williams - I Will Be Freed
Kari Jobe - The Blessing
Flipping Crowns - Who Am I?

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