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Hey Everyone,

Today’s post is a continuation of a new series based on my original post where I asked the question, “What Makes a Great Worship Song”?

Yesterday we discussed the #1 song reported by CCLI in the USA as of February 2008, which was “How Great is Our God”.  Over the next week or two, I’d like for us to come together here on the blog and discuss more of the “Top Worship Songs” according to the most recent, February 2008 CCLI Survey.

CCLI Top 25 Songs

#2: “Blessed Be Your Name”
by Matt and Beth Redman

“Blessed Be Your Name” finds it’s home in the #2 spot of most-reported songs in the reporting period ending February 2008.  I’ve been leading this song off and on for several years and have always found it to be a corporate gem.  I can easily see why it’s in the Top 5.

Singable?
Overall, this song is quite singable.  It has a broad range, and typically you’ll find the verses to be a bit low for most people.  The Pre-Chorus pulls the melody up in the middle range for vocalists, the Chorus takes it up a notch higher, requiring some emphasis to sing out, and the Bridge skyrockets … still, within the acceptable range for corporate worship.  It’s definitely more rhytmic than “How Great is Our God” in the verses and can be a little harder for some people to sing.  I think this is evident in the fact that I’ve heard the rhythm of the melodic line sung a kazillion different ways.

Theology?
The theological message in this song is probably one of the biggest assets of the tune.  This song explores something that every one of us deal with – learning to praise God in the midst of crisis.  Granted, there is an entire segment in some camps who refuse to sing the Bridge because of the “You give and take away” lyric.   This line comes from Scripture, though not necessarily a theological statement.  It’s really a vent from Job in his crisis as he blames God.  This camp would say that Satan is the one who took away from Job.  The other side says “God allowed it”.  That is a huge debate, and today’s blog is not meant to “go there”.  Regardless, the overall theology in the song is voicing that in the good times and the bad, we’re called to bless the Name of the Lord.

Lyrics?
Most of the lyrical discussion can be associated with the theological discussion above.  In addition, we can comment on the beauty of these lyrics.  The lyrical phrases used to paint the pictures of when things are good and bad are just poetic and beautiful.  Every one of us can relate to these descriptions and the lyrics (especially in the Pre-Chorus) are written in such a way where they “call us” to action.  We go from blessing God’s Name in the verses to declaring our first person intent to give back to God in praise.

Accessibility?
I believe this is a huge part of why these songs become “great songs”.  Just like “How Great is our God”, this song can be sung with an entire band or a simple guitar.  You can slow down the chorus and sing it acapella with huge impact.  You can start on the Pre-Chorus and go to the Chorus without ever singing the verses.

Personally, all of these reasons are valid in making this a “great worship song”.  I believe that the best reason is simply the fact that this song reaches us “where we are”.  Every single one of us finding us in that place where we are “on the road marked with suffering” or where there is “pain in the offering” and we can so identify with it.  When we’re in the plentiful lands, we’re also reminded.  The song basically hits us at every single area of life.  As a result, it’s always … ALWAYS relevant.  That makes a great worship song!

Singable? Theology? Lyrics? Simplicity? Accessibility?
What are YOUR thoughts?

Song #3 coming up tomorrow.
(ps:  as I’ve been sharing, for some reason, the “subscribe to comments” checkbox is waaay down at the bottom of this page – if you’d like to stay informed when someone posts a comment on this post, leave your comment and scroll way down and check off that box before submitting.  Any code monkeys out there that can figure out WHY the seesmic response and email subscribe are stuck at the bottom?  I’ve removed the seesmic plugin completely and it had no effect)

Fred

(note:  today’s post is a part of the “Watercooler Wednesday” collaboration on Arts & Culture at Randy Elrod’s place)

Hey Everyone,

On Monday, August 12 I created a blog entry called “What Makes A Great Worship Song”.  Thanks for your ongoing comments on what you think makes a worship song “great” and for giving your list of songs that will forever be in your “treasure chest” of songs that are meaningful to you.

Over the next week or two, I’d like for us to come together here on the blog and discuss some of the “Top Worship Songs” according to the most recent, February 2008 CCLI Survey.

CCLI Top 25 Songs

#1:  “How Great is our God”
by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, and Ed Cash

This is the top song, the most reported song in the United States.  I have to admit, I agree.  This is one of those amazing songs.  Let’s talk about why.

Singable?

Yes – not necessarily in Chris Tomlin’s key, but definitely singable.  I dropped it down to the Key of (A) in my recording of this song (checkout my version of “How Great is our God” from the Worship Under the Stars CD on iTunes)

Theology?

Not a doctrinal thesis by any means, which may be why it’s so beloved.  It’s a simple declaration of God’s greatness.  And it’s written in such a way where we (the people) are singing it … both unto God, and to one another.  (speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, right?)

Lyrics?

Poetic, descriptive, beautiful.  Contrasts and imagery that really captivate our thoughts as we sing.

Simplicity?

I believe simplicity is important for a song to be “great”.  The melodic line is easy to sing, easy to remember.  It’s not full of syncopations … “The Godhead, Three in One” in Verse 2 is, in my opinion, perhaps the trickiest rhythm to grasp in the entire song.

Accessibility?

Another critical component of a great song.  How accessible is this to be used by people?  I don’t mean “can you buy it in a store”?.  I mean … can most people play this?  Can it be done with a huge praise band?  Can it be done with just an acoustic guitar in a small group?  Can it be done easily on a piano during personal worship?

The answer is YES, YES, YES.

Let’s face it, there are some songs that NEED a full band, horns, or other instruments to “make it”.  “How Great is our God” is not one of those songs.

Singable?  Theology?  Lyrics?  Simplicity?  Accessibility?
What are YOUR thoughts?

Song #2 coming up tomorrow.

Fred