The songs your church sings, or may want to sing (or definitely don't want to sing) analysed not by just people with an opinion, but by experts in the field of congregational music studies, who are also experienced and active worship leaders, musicians, and educators. Rev Dr Daniel Thornton & Dr Shannan Baker pull apart the most sung worship songs - music, lyrics, media, industry - to help you make your own assessment about what your local church should (or shouldn't) be singing.
It's another throwback episode. Nostalgia, here we come. "Give Thanks" might be beyond some people's recollection, but it was profoundly enduring for more than just one generation of worshipers. As for Tomlin's "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)", that's its own fascinating tale that hasn't finished yet.
30 Oct 2026
Ep 8 - Trust In God
Yet another 6/8 song in the CCLI Top Songs list, with a ghost writer, Fanny Crosby. I jest, but if you want to know more, I guess you need to listen to the episode.
23 Oct 2026
Ep 7 - Great Are You Lord
An enduring song in the CCLI Top 25 for 12 years, and yet one with the smallest lyric count. What's going on there? Join us for this episode.
16 Oct 2026
Ep 6 - Gratitude
Brandon Lake's Gratitude has been persistently popular in congregational worship since its release. Why? Listen to the podcast.
9 Oct 2026
Ep 5 - Awesome God, Lord I Lift, & Majesty
Time to rewind the clock... or are you still singing one of these? Classic contemporary congregational songs that proved their influence sitting in the CCLI Top 25 for at least 10 years. Enjoy the first throwback episode.
1 Oct 2026
Ep 4 - Holy Forever
Holy Forever is a popular song for musical worship, with an interesting collaboration of writers, and varied perspectives in lyrical language. We pull it apart in this episode. Enjoy.
25 Sept 2026
Ep 3 - Goodness of God
Goodness of God has been one of (if not) the most popular CCS in the past decade. With an array of writers and recordings, we explore how and why this song works the way it does, and what might have contributed to its popularity.
18 Sept 2026
Ep 2 - Praise
Praise by Elevation Worship is a popular worship song. In this episode, we pull it apart, musically, lyrically, as well as exploring industry, its origins and writers. We originally set out to cover 2 songs per episode, but after this one you'll know why we've decided 1 per episode is more than enough!
12 Sept 2026
Ep 1 - Introductions
Before diving into the most sung contemporary congregational songs (or what you probably just call "worship"), let's get to know each other. Daniel & Shannan share personal history, previous scholarship, and debate the approaches and language used for future episodes.
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