The Best Gospel Music and Christian Songs

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

What is Gospel Music?
- Origins
- Definition
The Best Gospel Songs
The Best Gospel Artists

Find the best gospel music and Christian songs to soothe your soul. With lyrics and artist information, you can enjoy the latest and greatest hits.

What is Gospel Music?

Origins

Gospel music usually has dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century, with roots in the black oral tradition. Hymns and sacred songs were often repeated in a call and response fashion. Most of the churches relied on hand clapping and foot stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Choirs became a norm only after emancipation. Spirituals were a precursor to the blues and are still sung today at African-American churches. shouts also emerged during emancipation as a spontaneous form of worship that was entirely concerned with freedom from slavery rather than liberation from sin

Definition

Gospel music is a genre of Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music usually has dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century, with roots in the black oral tradition. Hymns and sacred songs were often repeated in a call and response fashion. Most of the churches relied on hand clapping and foot stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Cheering also occurred sometimes. The first publishing of gospel music was in 1779.

The Best Gospel Songs

There are many great gospel songs that have been written over the years. These songs have the ability to inspire and uplift people. They can also provide comfort during difficult times. Gospel music is a genre of music that is based on the Christian religion.

“Amazing Grace”

One of the most popular gospel songs of all time, “Amazing Grace” was written by English poet John Newton in 1779. A former slave trader, Newton was inspired to write the song after experiencing a religious conversion. The simple, yet profound lyrics have resonated with people of all backgrounds, and the song has been recorded by hundreds of artists over the years. While it is often associated with traditional gospel music, “Amazing Grace” has also been popularized by artists in other genres, including country, rock, and pop.

“Oh, How I Love Jesus”

“Oh, How I Love Jesus” is a classic gospel song that has been recorded by many artists over the years. The song was written by Frederick Whitfield and first published in 1859. It is a simple, yet powerful song of praise and worship that has continued to be popular with both church congregations and individual listeners.

The lyrics of the song express the deep love and devotion that the singer has for Jesus Christ. The first verse begins with the line, “Oh, how I love Jesus,” and goes on to describe the many ways in which Jesus is loved. The second verse is a prayer of thanksgiving for all that Jesus has done for the singer. The third verse is a declaration of faith in Jesus as the only way to salvation.

The chorus of the song is a rallying cry for all believers to join together in praising Jesus. It includes the lines, “Praise His name! He died and rose again! / Oh, praise His name! He’s my Lord and Savior!” These words serve as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humanity.

The final verse is a commitment to follow Jesus no matter what challenges or trials may come. It reaffirms the singer’s love for Jesus and their resolve to keep Him as their Lord and Savior forever.

This timeless gospel song continues to be one of the most beloved songs in the Christian music genre. It is a powerful expression of faith and love for Jesus Christ that will inspire listeners for generations to come.

“He Touched Me”

“He Touched Me” is a gospel song composed by Bill Gaither with lyrics by Gaither and Gloria Gaither. It was popularized by singer Elvis Presley in 1972 and has been performed by numerous artists since then. The song is a moving testimony of how Jesus Christ can change a life. It has touched the lives of many people and continues to be a popular choice for gospel singers today.

“I Saw the Light”

I Saw the Light is a gospel song written by Hank Williams. The song was released as a single in October 1947 and became one of Williams’ most well-known songs. The song describes a moment when Williams “saw the light” and realized that he needed to change his ways. I Saw the Light has been covered by numerous artists, including Johnny Cash, Amy Grant, and Alison Krauss.

“Peace in the Valley”

“Peace in the Valley” is a gospel song written by Thomas A. Dorsey and first recorded by Mahalia Jackson in 1937. The song became one of the most famous gospel songs of all time, and has been recorded by numerous artists, including Elvis Presley.

The Best Gospel Artists

Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia Jackson was an American gospel singer. She was one of the most celebrated gospel singers in the world and was dubbed “The Queen of Gospel”. She became one of the first black artists to achieve crossover success in the mainstream music industry. Jackson began her career as a gospel singer at the age of 14. She first gained recognition for her work with the Chicago-based Mahalia Jackson Singers.

Jackson’s signature contralto voice was described as ” [having] a rich, buttery, wide-ranging sound”, “smooth yet piercing”, and “mellifluous yet emotive”. With regard to her vocal delivery, music critic Greil Marcus noted that Jackson had “a kind of settled assurance, a natural confidence that suggested sheer talent but also something more: an almost divine certainty about what she and her God could do together.”

James Cleveland

James Albert Cleveland (December 5, 1931 – February 9, 1991) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer. Called “the king of gospel music” and “godfather of modern gospel”, Cleveland was a driving force behind the creation of the sound and style of modern black gospel in the 1950s. He was one of the originators of the Gaither Homecoming videos and concerts. He worked with all the major stars of his time in gospel music.

Cleveland’s parents were both musicians: his mother sang in a local church choir and his father played guitar and drums in a small blues band. As a child, Cleveland grew up listening to both black gospel music and white country music on the radio; he later cited Mahalia Jackson, Brother Joe May, Swanee River Boys, Hank Williams, and Jimmie Davis as some of his musical influences. When he was five years old, his family moved from Shelby County to Memphis, where he started singing with local church choirs at an early age.

The Blind Boys of Alabama are an American gospel group founded in the 1930s by members who are all now in their 90s. The group has been active for over 75 years, and its current lineup includes original member Jimmy Carter, along with his son Ben Carter and several other musicians. To date, they have won five Grammy Awards, and they were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 ceremony. In 2019, they were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Mavis Staples

An American rhythm and blues and gospel singer, Mavis Staples was born in Chicago in 1939. She began her career with her family’s band The Staple Singers in the 1950s. The group recorded such hits as “Uncloudy Day,” “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” and “Respect Yourself.” Mavis Staples continued to record as a solo artist after the demise of the group in the late ’70s, releasing the album Livin’ on a High Note in 2016.

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American gospel musician, singer, songwriter, and choir director. He is known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God’s Property and One Nation Crew (1NC), and has won multiple awards, including twelve Grammy Awards. Kirk Franklin’s professional career began in 1992 with the release of his album Kirk Franklin & the Family. It spent 168 weeks on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, earning multi-platinum and platinum certifications.[1] He followed it with 1993’s Christmas: My Gospel Family Album at No. 1 on both the Top Gospel Albums and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts,[2][3] becoming the first artist to top both those charts simultaneously. In 1996 he was featured on ten songs on the soundtrack for the motion picture Bulworth.[4] Between 1999 and 2001 he scored several R&B/hip hop number one singles including “Lean on Me,” “Stomp,”[5][6] and “Revolution.”[7][8][9] since then he has continued to produce R&B hits like Looking for You (2003) which stayed at No. 1 on unadulterated rhythm & blues Charts for 5 weeks[10] as well as gospel songs like Imagine Me (2008), which debuted at #7 on Billboard 200—the highest debut ever by a gospel artist—and Hit #1 on all 3 of Billboard’s sales charts.[11]

Franklin has worked with other artists of secular genres including Nirvana,[12] Aretha Franklin,[13][14] Fred Hammond,[15][16][17] Crystal Lewis,[18] Joe Sample,[19] Whitney Houston,[20][21][22 ] Barbra Streisand[23], Bono,[24] Steve Winwood[25], Mary J. Blige,[26],Kelly Price[27], Edwin McCain[28], Aaron Neville[29],zyklon beatz ,Nas & The problematics

The Best Gospel Music and Christian Songs