Gospel music has become an expression of religion, especially in Christian America and holds cultural significance in the African American community. It is often powerful and moving with a strong lead singer. Here is a list of some of the best gospel choir music ever.
Best black gospel songs 🎶
These songs are created and performed by the Christian African American community and are important to those who listen and those who perform. They are often sung by a lead vocalist with backing from a choir and tell the beautiful stories of worship.
1. Be still - Hillsong Worship
This song captivates the audience with its peaceful and moving lyrics. It is a great choice to display the skills of a choir and create a magical religious performance.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cCbaZBy0PQ
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
2. Can’t tell it all - Charles Austin Miles
This song is sure to reach the heart and soul of anyone listening. The harmonising of the choir paired with the powerful lead vocalist leaves a song that is both fun and spiritually beautiful.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6N224IQvdI
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
3. Just another day - Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers
This song is another brilliant celebration of religion and African American culture. The backing vocals are easy for a choir to pick up, but the lead vocalists can really show off their skill.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11WUKW5ISfs
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
4. John 3:16 - Tom Blakely
This piece is lively and good fun to sing and to listen to while also telling a moving story of the famous religious passage about Jesus.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-V-ulo-BPQ
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
5. Lamb of god - Twila Paris
This piece is a moving and beautiful message for any audience and would be a definite win for any choir.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb5TtTaUgJs
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
6. God know all about it - James Cleveland
This call and response gospel song is very catchy and will have any audience tapping and swaying to the beat. It is good fun while still imparting a positive message.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok5M9EFFWp4
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
7. All to jesus - Robin mark
This is a song that needs lots of energy and fun as it is a celebration of Jesus. It involves the whole choir and is effortlessly impressive.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyVsElf27E4
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
8. Rise up - Andra day and Jennifer Decilveo
This song has become well known by many people and is a moving and beautiful song that can give anyone the motivation to rise up and keep going.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyVsElf27E4
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
9. Wait on the lord - Arthur Whiting
This emotional song is guaranteed to move any audience and allows for different vocals to show their skill.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2jaOaT2Ly4
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
10. If I can help somebody - Mahalia Jackson
This song has fairly simplistic lyrics but still can show off the amazing skill of a lead singer. The powerful and spiritual lyrics are filled with emotion and a beautiful message.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4iFfkRaqto
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
11. I am grateful - Hezekiah Walker
This piece is uplifting and motivating to not take things for granted. Another perfect song for a choir that wishes to convey the true meaning of religion.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOm7KudYp7c
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
12. Love - Kirk Franklin
This song has a beautiful meaning and will likely be a favourite of any audience. It will bring you to worship and faith. A choir is the perfect way to bring these lyrics to life.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLezBXk-cuo
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
13. Captain of my soul - Austin Miles
This song sounds angelic sung by an impressive soprano who can really show off. Supported by a choir, this song will move any audience.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB3jQUu_XGc
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
14. He brought me out - Zelley
This song is lots of fun for the choir and will get any audience standing and clapping along to the beat. Sure to bring the spirit of gospel!
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5YKKrFN40w
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
15. Order my steps - Glen Burleigh
The harmonisation of this song sounds beautiful and would bring peace to any audience.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9h0bcaLElk
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
16. Show me the way - Dennis DeYoung
This piece is yet another song that is full of energy and fun. Sure to get any crowd moving and dancing with its spirit and lyrics of worship.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgMuD_lHEjM
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
17. I found jesus - Martin Smith
This song is great for a mixture of voices and the power of the lyrics are sure to resonate with any audience. Perfect for celebrating religion.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS5nAC9I7ZM
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
18. Why we sing - Kirk franklin
This song shows the importance of singing gospel. To spread joy and celebrate worship. The call and response make it a great choice for choirs and easy to pick up.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZosEgdE-mo
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
19. I know I’ve been changed - Cleavant Derricks
This song needs a very powerful lead vocalist to hold these long notes and stun any audience. It really will impress anyone.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcORHZKgfbM
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
20. This train - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
This toe tapping, fun gospel song is a brilliant choice for any choir. It will flaunt the choir's skill with non stop energy and its rock style.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFGNoKkR880
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
21. Lord, remember me - Soul Stirrers
This piece tells a beautiful story of worship and the occasion of the crucifixion. It does this through powerful vocals that can never disappoint.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qj9o2AFa1c
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
22. Hallelujah - the clark sisters
This song requires lots of energy and participation that a gospel choir is guaranteed to bring. The iconic repetition of the word ‘Hallelujah’ followed by the incredibly powerful and fast paced lyrics are sure to impress anyone.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4uKG-l6Lk0
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
Best country gospel songs 🤩
These pieces are usually easier to pick up and can be sung by any choir. They are usually sung by one or just a few vocalists but can easily be adapted to fit any choir. They are older christian songs in the country music genre and are sure to get anyone swaying and clapping along!
23. Thank you lord for your blessings on me - James Easter
This song is the embodiment of classic country music. It emparts a beautiful meaning of christianity and is easy enough to follow while still being good fun to sing along to.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9gEo0_Abc4
😌 Difficulty: easy.
24. Hosanna - Brooke Fraser
This song has a modern twist to it and would get any audience swaying along to the beat. It can showcase any choir’s talents.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnMevXQutyE
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
25. I know a man who can - George Jones
This beautiful old country song is a moving dedication to God. It is a must for any country christian choir with it’s slow and peaceful tempo and heartfelt lyrics.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tEnjkrHAs4
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
26. When the roll is called up yonder - James Milton Black
This song can really impress an audience by the harmonising of different vocals and is sure to get any audience wanting to join in.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LjZfjuOASs
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
27. Come early morning - Bob McDill
This one will likely be a fan favourite with both the choir and the audience and is definitely a good choice. It’s quite fun to sing and is truly in the spirit of worship and country.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oehCyHhELqE
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
28. Power in the blood - Lewis Edgar Jones
This song has motivational and powerful lyrics that are guaranteed to get stuck in everybody's head. It’s perfect for a larger choir who are eager to show their skill.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2VhXwpANgI
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
29. What a friend we have in Jesus - Joseph Scriven
This is an emotional and beautiful song that will help anyone through the darkest of times through worship and spirituality. A choir is perfect for bringing this to life.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWu2HCJ92c
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
30. Uncloudy day - Josiah Kelley Alwood
This is perfect for the more experienced choir as it can impressively display the talents of different vocalists as they come together to tell this captivating story of a night sky.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE3nN6IvlGA
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
31. Old time religion - Haydn Quartet
The way this song builds up and adds different vocal ranges with each repeated lyric makes for a powerful and popular song certain to bring a sense of spirituality to the audience.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQvQlzoZWAc
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
Best funeral gospel songs 🙏🏻
It is a difficult time when saying goodbye to someone we care about, but music can help us celebrate their life. These gospel pieces are a perfect way to bring worship together with mourning and to match the emotion of a funeral.
32. Is my living in vain - the clark sisters
Thi song is the perfect way to celebrate the life of a loved one by conveying the message that all the efforts are worth it. This iconic song by the Clark sisters is a great choice to show the beauty of gospel choir.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWtrpuPHDcM
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
33. Till we meet again - kirk franklin
This beautiful and emotional song would match the sombre mood of a funeral and bring an audience to tears and serves as a reminder that the departed is in a better place.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9LltDdi7vk
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
34. God is here - Karen Clark Sheard
This piece is moving and sends a powerful message to help people mourn. It can sound beautiful performed by a choir and can give a solo vocalist a chance to show their talent.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS-Ojo1NSVs
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
35. Stand - Pastor Donnie McClurkin
This song can provide lots of comfort and send the message of worship. The power behind the repetition of ‘stand’ can bring anyone the motivation to carry on going.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDAjtI7wGR4
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
36. You raise me up - Josh Groban
This song can bring anyone to tears and the musical accompaniment is instantly recognisable. It is a popular choice for choirs as the emotion behind the lyrics is brilliant for a choir to bring to life.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJxrX42WcjQ
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
37. I’m going away - Walter Hawkins
For those that know it, this song can give a little nostalgia and can serve as a reminder that all will be ok. A must for any funeral choir!
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdEANpMBPgY
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
38. go rest high on that mountain - Vince Gill
This song can help those who have lost someone find peace and faith through these beautiful lyrics. It would bring anyone to tears with the moving lyrics and peaceful melody.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jXrmAKBBTU
😌 Difficulty: easy.
39. Don’t cry - Kirk Franklin
Another great hit by Franklin that serves as a beautiful reminder that our loved ones are in a better place. It will touch the heart and soul of anyone listening.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnAtsV-fxj4
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
40. Amazing grace - John Newton
This song is famous for a reason and is perfect when accompanied by the majestic sound of bagpipes. This is a great way for vocalists to celebrate the life of someone lost. Everyone will be joining in!
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsCp5LG_zNE
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
41. Down to the river to pray - George Allan
The exact origin of this song is unknown but the earliest record of it was found in a book of slave songs in 1867. It shows the importance of this song and how it can serve as an emotional reminder of the importance of togetherness and worship.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSif77IVQdY
😌 Difficulty: easy.
Best gospel songs for a wedding ceremony 👰
What better way to celebrate the love and commitment of two people than the beautiful and uplifting music of the gospel choir. Perfect for showing your partner how much they mean to you and bringing the spirit and love to a ceremony.
42. Flesh of my flesh - Leon Patillo
This song is a popular wedding choice because of its beautiful lyrics showing the meaning of love and marriage. The perfect song to start a life with someone.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-LEfX3m-B0
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
43. I will be here - Stephen Curtis Chapman
This tells the tale of love and partnership that a choir can bring to life with their vocal talents and perfect harmonising.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tX8WEBOR78
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
44. Lost without you - BeBe and CeCe Winans
What better song to tell the importance of love than one sung by a married couple. They bring these lyrics to life in a perfect celebration of love.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLDMf5taUD4
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
45. All I need - Brian Courtney Wilson
The lyrics of this piece are moving and emotional and impart the story of love through faith and worship.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_SKO_pCn1A
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
46. Love you forever - Tasha Cobbs
This song is always impressive and is sure to move any audience. If you’re getting married, this is the perfect way to celebrate what you mean to each other.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbwgeoavBcI
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
47. Joyful. Joyful - Sister Act
This religious song from the great and moving musical Sister Act is a fantastic choice for a wedding, especially for those who are a fan of the musical. It starts slow and emotional and becomes a fun and upbeat celebration.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaEH1e_DLm0
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
48. How great thou art - Carl Boburg
This song is a great choice for showing your partner how much they mean to you. A choir can bring these spiritual lyrics to life impeccably.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3llUHwKa0A
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
49. Dancing in the street - William Stevenson
This song brings happiness and joy to a wedding with its fun lyrics. A choir will love singing this one show their different vocal talents and celebrate the happy couple.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ5ZLy_gd60
🥵 Difficulty: hard.
50. I found love (Cindy’s song) - BeBe Winans
This song is a love song written by a husband to his wife and there is no better way to celebrate the love that a newly married couple will have for eachother.
🔗 https://youtu.be/fGBEhgBj9Lg
🫣 Difficulty: medium.
If you have enjoyed this complete list of Gospel songs, be sure to check out these other blogs to find out more about choir music using the links below!
- Nineteen Spectacular Songs Ideal for Youth Choirs 🎉
- Best Choir Songs: 35 must-know musical gems 🫶
- 22 essential Christmas choir pieces 🎄
Thank you for reading. See you at the next rehearsal!
