2013 in Review: Top Songs

As the year 2013 winds down, it’s once again time to look back at the year in southern gospel music.  As is the case every year, I’ve listened to some songs that had me reaching for the “skip” button, but as always, I enjoyed the vast majority of the music that found its way into my collection this year.  There are still great Christians singing great songs by great writers, and for that I am grateful.

The songs listed below are my personal favorite recorded songs released in 2013.  I’ll stress that these are personal favorites, not necessarily predictions on what songs will be the biggest hits.  But there may be worse indicators of that: in 2011, two my top six songs went to #1 on the Singing News chart, and last year, three of my top four ended up being chart-toppers.  There is already one #1 hit in my top 5 in 2013, and I strongly believe there will be one or two more.

The honor for top song of the year goes to “I’ll Know I’m Home,” a Jeff Crews/Dianne Wilkinson composition recorded by the Kingdom Heirs.  I believe this is going to be a huge hit for the quartet; I can’t wait to see it take off like a rocket.  Stay tuned this week, because I’ve got something very special in the works dealing with this song, that you don’t want to miss!  The runner up is another song I’m hoping will be one of 2014’s biggest radio songs, Rodney Griffin and Greater Vision’s “Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is”.

Without further ado, here is my list!  I’d love to hear your thoughts about your favorite songs of the year as well!

1. “I’ll Know I’m Home,” Kingdom Heirs, Redeeming the Time (Jeff Crews/Dianne Wilkinson)
2. “Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is,” Greater Vision, For All He’s Done (Rodney Griffin)
3. “Just Beyond the Sunset,” Kingdom Heirs, Redeeming the Time (Dianne Wilkinson)
4. “The Joys of Heaven,” Kingdom Heirs, Redeeming the Time (Dianne Wilkinson)
5. “We’ll Go Down Standing Up,” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, He’s Alive (Kyla Rowland)
6. “O Worship the King,” Collingsworth Family, Hymns From Home (Robert Grant/Johann Haydn)
7. “Covered by the Blood,” Collingsworth Family, Hymns From Home (Nellie Edwards/Ran Story)
8. “This Is Mercy,” Greater Vision, For All He’s Done (Rodney Griffin/Natalie Harp)
9. “Death Had to Let Him Go,” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, He’s Alive (Kyla Rowland)
10. “Redeeming the Time,” Kingdom Heirs, Redeeming the Time (Rebecca Peck)
11. “Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary,” Colllingsworth Family, Hymns From Home (John M. Moore)
12. “I’ve Come Here to Tell You That the Lord Is Good,” Collingsworth Family, The Lord Is Good (Kirk Talley/Daryl Williams)
13. “Isn’t That Why He Came,” Old Paths, These Truths (Rachel McCutcheon/Karen Gillespie)
14. “Show a Little Bit of Love and Kindness,” Collingsworth Family, The Lord Is Good (John W. Peterson)
15. “Seeking for Me,” Greater Vision, For All He’s Done (Lanny Wolfe)
16. “It Matters to the Master,” Collingsworth Family, The Lord Is Good (Rachel McCutcheon)
17. “God Said I Love You,” Old Paths, These Truths (Craig Edwards)
18. “Yesterday,” Cathedrals Family Reunion, Cathedrals Family Reunion (George Younce)
19. “Heaven Will Be Mine Someday,” Triumphant Quartet, The Greatest Story (Dianne Wilkinson/Scott Inman)
20. “What a Wonderful Time (To Be a Christian),” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, He’s Alive (Kyla Rowland)
21. “We Will Serve the Lord,” Collingsworth Family, The Lord Is Good (Joel Lindsey/Wayne Haun/Jeff Bumgardner)
22. “Looking for the Grace,” Greater Vision, For All He’s Done (Rodney Griffin)
23. “Scars in the Hands of Jesus,” Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Glorious Day (Marijohn Wilkin)
24. “Living in Love With the Lord,” Collingsworth Family, The Lord Is Good (Rachel McCutcheon)
25. “The Borrowed Tomb,” Kingdom Heirs, Redeeming the Time (Dianne Wilkinson/Rebecca Peck)
26. “If It Were Not for Grace,” Old Paths, These Truths (Christopher R. Clayton)
27. “This Is Just What Heaven Means to Me,” Sisters, Classics Collection (Jimmie Davis)
28. “I Could Never Outlove the Lord,” Collingsworth Family, The Lord Is Good (Bill Gaither/Gloria Gaither)
29. “For All He’s Done,” Greater Vision, For All He’s Done (Chris Allman)
30. “Long Live the King,” Old Paths, These Truths (Dianne Wilkinson/Chris Binion)
31. “Two Coats,” Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Glorious Day (Ralph Stanley)
32. “My Wonderful Lord,” Collingsworth Family, Hymns From Home (Haldor Lillenas)
33. “I Thank You,” Kingdom Heirs, Redeeming the Time (Dianne Wilkinson)
34. “Love Them to Jesus,” Old Paths, These Truths (Rodney Birch)
35. “He’s Alive,” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, He’s Alive (Harvey Gene Smith)
36. “Sermon on the Mount,” Kingdom Heirs, Redeeming the Time (Dianne WIlkinson/Rebecca Peck)
37. “Because He Loved Me,” Triumphant Quartet, The Greatest Story (Morris Stancil)
38. “Expect the Unexpected,” Kingdom Heirs, Redeeming the Time (Rebecca Peck/Logan Peck)
39. “You Can Still Find Forgiveness,” Inspirations, No Two Ways About It (Jim Brady)
40. “Nobody Like Jesus,” Wilburn & Wilburn, Here Comes Sunday (Joseph Habedank)