PRAYZEHYMN Online | where gospel music lives [The 50 Best Gospel Songs of 2008]

By J. MATTHEW COBB
Founder, Editor-In-Chief of PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment
Posted: December 31, 2008

ANOTHER YEAR has come and gone, but the hits will continue to ring onward into 2009. Annually, we report the big hit songs from gospel's camp. And even if some of the selections mentioned weren't great radio sensations or picked up by the grand wizards behind the super radio playlists, we still look at the amazing elevation and awesomeness behind each artist's creativity. Each song listed below deserves their moment in the spotlight...even if 2008 proved to be a disappointing year commercially for gospel music.

50. Spensha Baker
"HALLELUJAH"
from OutLoud! (Geffen)
You just can’t go wrong using a sample from the Earth, Wind and Fire collection. The cool grooves of “On Your Face” ring out through this updated urban groove. And with Coko’s distinctive voice on board, you pretty much think you’re listening to an SWV track.

49. Paul Porter
"WHAT DID YOU DO"
from A New Day (Light)
What a zesty gospel bounce and a down-home quartet drive with finger-slaippin’ guitar licks, this cut from the lead singer of the Christianaires proves to be one sensational firecracker. Even though Derrick Lee uses innovative choir harmonies behind the soulful quartet singer, the buoyant atmosphere is charged with all of the right elements of Memphis-styled gospel crooning.

48. Sean Simmonds
"MY LIFE"
from It's Over (Verity)
The Canadian native reunites with Sharon Riley and her Image Chorale to put out this breezy urban R&B creation filled with all the fun, innocent tracings of a Mary Mary production. Too bad the guy with the silky youthful pipes only limits himself to Kirk Franklin-esque narrations.

ALL ABOARD! The PRAYZEHYMN Express, powered by LIVE365.com, is still going. Check out our updated playlist where we constantly play some of the fifty gospel songs featured in our 50 BEST GOSPEL SONGS OF 2008 article. No super commercials...just the music. So what are you waiting on...get on board the Express.

To listen, click here.

If you haven't heard some of the selections from our top fifty before, then maybe we should bring the songs to you. Each song listed below has been featured at the PRAYZEHYMN Music Center and is ready for your listening pleasure.

Until then, make sure you have the latest version of RealPlayer uploaded to your computer and enjoy the jams.

Paul Porter
What Did You Do?

Regina Belle
Victory

Terry Dexter
I'm Free

Mary Mary
Get Up

Bonafide Praisers
Work It Out

Bishop Paul S. Morton
Cry Your Last Tear

Tye Tribbett & G.A.
Hold On

LeJuene Thompson
Ooh La La

Spensha Baker
Hallelujah

Alvin Slaughter
Great Grace

Kirk Franklin
Still In Love

Onitsha
My Life

Rance Allen Group
For Your Feet

Jonathan Nelson with Purpose
My Name Is Victory

Canton Jones
My Day

Trin-i-tee 5:7
Listen

Isaiah Thomas & Elements of Praise
The Greatest

Niyoki
Joy

The Murrills
Friend of Mine

J.R.
Words of Life

21:03
Holding On to You

James Fortune & FIYA
I'll Trust You

Shekinah Glory Ministry
Stomp

47. Dave Hollister
"STRIVING"
from Witness Protection (EMI Gospel)
A jam like this is too hard to ignore. And to hear the legendary VBA thrust her stirring vocals on Rodney Jerkins’ club-driven hooks of this cut is almost paranormal. Yet in still, the young’ins can definitely relate to the vibe and the super-cute vocals of Armstrong.

46. Kurt Carr
"PEACE AND FAVOR REST ON US"
from Just the Beginning (Kurt Carr Gospel)
Call it an uptempo praise track woven together with roller coaster-like loops and cinematic thrills. Kurt Carr once again pushes his trained set of singers into a melodic, yet highly performance-oriented offering strongly embedded in the Kurt Carr tradition. It’s not as gorgeous as In the Sanctuary, but it will suffice.

45. Pastor Greg Patrick & the Bridge Project
"I'M A WITNESS"
from The Bridge Project (Tyscot)
The exceptional songwriting brilliance of V. Michael McKay rings true on this smooth gospel slow burner. Here you have all the key ingredients for the perfect soul gospel workout: Rhonda McLemore’s convincing pipes, a charming chorus glorified with closing modulations and a set of lyrics that blesses the hopeless.

44. CeCe Winans
"A MILLION MILES"
from Thy Kingdom Come (Pure Spirngs Gospel)
Not since Purified’s I Pray has CeCe Winans so cautiously blended both medians of pop and gospel together to create such an angelic event in modern gospel. A Million Miles, a never-released radio single from Thy Kingdom Come (Winans’ 9th offering), comes very close. Arranged with an array of beautiful lyrics and the spunk of a Whitney Houston pop record, A Million Miles far surpasses the carefully selected single Waging War.

43. Onitsha
"MY LIFE"
from Church Girl (Stillwaters/Hidden Beach Recordings)
The super-cool groove of Earth Wind and Fire become the center of attention for this uptempo R&B-styled gospel number. Vocal collaborations with Mary Mary, Deborah Cox and Coko help turn this song into a joyful hymn filled with great devotion.

42. LeJuene Thompson
"OOH LA LA "
from Metamorphosis (Le Ce Entertainment)
It’s not the first time we’ve heard cutesy baby-like phrases being used in grown folk’s music. The Delfonics did it with “la-la-la-la” and Otid did it with “fa-fa-fa-fa.” LeJuene Thompson sing about her sweet adoration for God and does avery good job in making “ooh-la-la” sound so sensual, yet so spiritual.

41. VIP Mass Choir featuring John P. Kee
"YES WE CAN "
from Yes We Can (Live in Miami) (Verity)
Without sounding too much like an Obama rally chant, Yes We Can is a motivator spiced with funky traditional vibes and John P. Kee’s signature moves. Lowelle Pye and Kee take turns on lead vocals and creates an entertaining exchange of beefy ad-libs. A great return to the charts for VIP Mass Choir.

40. Isaiah D. Thomas & Elements of Praise
"THE GREATEST"
from The Greatest (Habakkuk Music)
The best way to sum up this Isaiah D. Thomas’ radio buzz cut is “gospel choir-infused pop.” The DC-songwriter, notoriously known for penning Byron Cage’s “I Will Bless the Lord,” reveals a Rocky Balboa theme-like song set to heartfelt praises on a more, relaxed and careful tempo.

39. Regina Belle
"I CALL ON JESUS"
from Love Forever Shines (Pendulum)
Regina Belle returns to her element on this moving soul contemporary ballad featuring a cameo appearance from another ‘80s R&B sensation Shirley Murdock. Both singers are grateful to God on this cut and do their very best to suppress their acclaimed divaness to keep Jesus at the core of the song’s attention.

38. Kirk Franklin
"STILL IN LOVE"
from The Fight of My Life (GospoCentric)
The breezy strings of Philly arranger Larry Gold, the retro Ring My Bell sounds and urban programmed beats are all so important in making this an even better follow-up to Franklin’s Looking for You. And with Franklin’s chants - prepping skate centers to get jiggy for Jesus - the song remains one of the coolest grooves from the talented songwriter’s handbook.

37. Bonafide Praisers feat./ Troy Sneed
"WORK IT OUT"
from Destined to Worship (Emtro Gospel)
Troy Sneed debuts his sequel to the 2006 radio smash The Struggle Is Over on an all new female group Bonafide Praisers. The group name smells like the works of a short-lived effort, but at least they will be remembered for coming up with one of 2006's most played radio hits.

36. Nu Tradition
"VICTORY SHALL BE MINE"
from Nu Tradition (Tyscot)
One thing is for sure: church music as we know it is no where near extinction. Nu Tradition kicks out this Sunday morning innovation of one of yesterday’s best congregational teasers. Rev. Lawrence Thomison of Bobby Jones’ fame approaches the remake with the kind of jolting soulfulness that would make Wilson Pickett do the Lindy hop.

35. 21:03
"HOLDING ON TO YOU"
from Total Attention (GospoCentric)
The charming melodies, enraptured by its sensual R&B vibes, of 21:03's “Holding On To You” are a perfect fit for the young troupe. It allows them to work their tween-like vocals on a mature-natured R&B tune. Now they are beginning to sound all grown up and serious. Shame on the label for not releasing this as one of the singles. They are sleeping on a hit and they don’t even know it.

34. Kirk Franklin
"JESUS'"
from The Fight of My Life (GospoCentric)
Served with crunk vibrations, the hip-hop traced anthem feels so delightful with its Gamble & Huff-like melody. The children on the chorus and the summertime grooves are all great additions to the mix. One good listen and you will probably anticipate Kanye West bursting out with a rap.

33. Ken Reynolds
"SO GOOD (NA NA SONG)"
from Worthy (Integrity Gospel)
Worship leader Ken Reynolds definitely makes simple sound so good on worship music. With sing-a-long lyrics and one of the most joyful chorus lines of 2008, So Good channels the energy of a Joe Pace arrangement with small fragments ol’ skool Earth Wind & Fire. It surely makes good worship music; pumped and ready for more.

32. Alvin Slaughter
"GREAT GRACE"
from Overcomer (Integrity Gospel)
It probably didn’t get the big push from gospel radio, but this majestic ballad didn’t escape the ears of Alvin Slaughter’s fan base. Just the beauty of the lyrics and the warm flow of the serenading music is all the song needed, but Slaughter’s big baritone vocals and that Luther magic sent the song to another level.

31. The Murrills
"FRIEND OF MINE"
from Family Prayer (Verity)
Reviving the 1976 classic from Eddie Kendricks song was one unexpected move from super gospel producer Donald Lawrence, but it proved to be an eventful task. He gives the disco gem to the Murrills and exchanges the original lyrics of the verses out for a fresher set of personal testimonies. Thankfully, all the glitz of the disco hit still remains intact.

30. J Moss
"PRAISE ON THE INSIDE"
from V2 (GospoCentric)
Off of 2006's V2 album, Moss continues on the coattails of We Must Praise by carving out a moving urban gospel ballad that churns up energies of R. Kelly and churchy crooning. It’s a neat follow-up and a very smart idea to keep this kind of gospel music hitting the airwaves from the super producer.

29. Rance Allen Group
"FOR YOUR FEET"
from Closest Friend (Tyscot)
The gents from Stax territory offered up one of the funkiest ol’ skool cuts of the year with “For Your Feet.” Its highly danceable, perky with party bass lines and sassy horns. The Rance Allen Group surely has a reputation for bringing out groovy jams (“Miracle Worker,” “Do Your Will”). After delivering the goods on all of those big soul hits with Memphis’ Stax Records back in the ‘70s, they still continue to prove they know how to throw down.

28. Terry Dexter
"BEAUTIFUL ONE"
from Listen (Penny's Gang)
With a light pop flair and Hammond organ seasoning, Beautiful One has all the right ingredients for a pop crossover. It’s a heartfelt ode to the heavy laden and downtrodden and is an encouraging testament of inspirational music done with all the right gospel energies. Serious props on the relaxing Babyface-ish production.

27. Ricky Dillard & New G
"THE LIGHT"
from The 7th Episode: Live In Toronto (NuSpring/EMI Gospel)
One of the surviving choirs in gospel, New G brings about the classic sounds of churchy choir music on this lively original from choirmaster Ricky Dillard. While it was well accepted in choir repertoires, it proved to be an even better ride to church on Sunday morning.

26. Bishop Paul S. Morton & the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir
"CRY YOUR LAST TEAR"
from Cry Your Last Tear (Light)
Seems like the Bishop knows a thing or two about tears. He sung “Your Tears” years ago and now he emerges with “Cru Your Last Tear.” With the recent events of Hurricane Katrina and a devastating fire that slammed the future of Morton’s church in New Orleans, he makes a bold and courageous return on this VaShawn Mitchell uplifting ballad.

25. Dionne Warwick
"WITH ALL MY HEART"
from Why We Sing (Rhino)
You have to give it to the legendary Dionne Warwick for sounding so good - even after all these years. Her Why We Sing album didn’t boast the super sales most anticipated, but it still left us with good gospel selections from the former Drinkard Singer. She brightens up the BeBe Winans’ remake of “With All My Heart.” With a tough of that nostalgic string work and the sultry warmth of Warwick’s timeless vocals, the song is a perfect re-introduction to her faith in God.

24. Dorinda Clark-Cole
"TAKE IT BACK "
from Take It Back (GospoCentric)
With a haunting stepteam introduction, Dorinda Clark-Cole returns to the sounds that work best on her. Straight churchy gospel with a taste of bass-slapping funk. One will probably best remember the catchy lyric: “Everything that the devil stole/God’s given back to me.” The song ended up being a radio smash and kept the jazzy Clark Sister in her element of sanctified charismatic gospel.

23. Jason Champion
"ALWAYS"
from Reflections (EMI Gospel)
With a club groove and a slight overuse of T-Pain’s auto tune, the Men at Large singer gets his praise on with this Warryn Campbell production. Traces of house grooves and Euro-disco synths pushes this groovalistic jam into one of the year’s most sensational serious car bumpers.

22. Shekinah Glory Ministry
"STOMP"
from Jesus (Kingdom)
You can hear the influences of the Thompson Community Singers on this super-sized praise team. This pulsating groove, enhanced by Phil Tarver’s lead vocals, literally turns church pews into Electric Slide sections. And with all the attention surrounding their first single “Jesus,” we still wonder why they didn’t release the album’s strongest cut out first.

21. Israel & New Breed
"IF NOT FOR YOUR GRACE"
from A Deeper Level (Integrity Gospel)
Beautified with warm lyrics and Houghton’s beautiful vocals, “If Not For Your Grace” is another example of the popular worship leader and songwriter’s strengths to pen a dynamic gospel ballad. The song tells of God’s grace with such graceful proficiency and probably expounds on God’s love unlike any other of his memorable slow cuts.

20. J.R.
"WORDS OF LIFE"
from Life By Stereo (Cross Movement)
Another missed opportunity for a big single, Words of Life places the unique hybrid of R&B/neo-soul and hip-hop in the unmistakable corners of John Legend crooning. J.R. pleads on a colorful and soulful, yet highly spiritual vibe that will give soul music purists a greater awakening on where soul music evolved from.

19. Byron Cage
"ROYALTY"
from The Proclamation: Live at the Apollo (GospoCentric)
The glorious acoustic guitar throughout the song provides this pop worship ballad a sensitive path for Byron Cage to really penetrate the hearts of this song’s listeners. You have to admit it is one of the most beautiful selections ever delivered by Cage. GospoCentric had no other choice but to send this song to gospel radio; months after the album’s initial release. The demand was just too much.

18. 21:03 feat./ Fred Hammond and J Moss
"COVER ME"
from Total Attention (GospoCentric)
Fred Hammond and J Moss, along with 21:03. work their velvety vocals on the emotionally-charged urban ballad. Each singer takes their turns on the verses and climaxes with a heartfelt scorching ad-libs that carries the message across. It became a big radio player - even though Brother Moss received a big dose of bad press later this year surrounding a judgement to pay up child support. Thankfully, this is 21:03's cut. Still, a great song.

17. Hezekiah Walker & LFC
"GRATEFUL"
from 20/85: The Experience (Verity)
A late bloomer taken from 2006's 20/85 The Experience, Hezekiah Walker returned to radio in a big way with one of the biggest church chants of the year. Structurally, the song embodies an innocent verse sung in unison and later takes off with its epiphany-like vamp; coated with enough sing-a-long juice to turn a crowded room of worshipers into one super choir. Never mind the idea of it sounding like a knock off of “I Need You To Survive,” it’s still a beaut.

16. Niyoki
"JOY"
from Rest (D2G)
Warm and breezy and filled with juicy grooves. It has the makings of an Israel Houghton tune crossed with the Brandy’s R&B sounds of the nineties. The song revved its way up the music charts and into gospel radio formats across the country. Good job coming from a refreshing independent artist.

15. Tye Tribbett & G.A.
"HOLD ON"
from Stand Out (Columbia)
With a clever retro Euro pop intro, Tye Tribbett works himself into a room of galactic, synth-laden sounds that works well with its gospel message of encouragement and inspiration. Carefully selected to be the album’s headlining single and it makes a whole lot of sense after listening to the bulk of the companion album Stand Out. Hands down: the album’s strongest single for gospel radio.

14. Kirk Franklin
"HELP ME BELIEVE"
from The Fight of My Life (GospoCentric)
Franklin’s pen must’ve been made of gold after scoring this moving heartfelt ballad. It flutters with the ambience of Dianne Warren’s balladry and the intensity of a Richard Smallwood slow piece. “Help Me Believe” is one of Franklin’s more meaningful modern compositions and almost points you back to the honest confessions of “A Letter to My Friend.”

13. Regina Belle
"GOD IS GOOD"
from Love Forever Shines (Pendulum)
On a dusty traditional church number with only foot stomping and hand claps as the main accompaniment, Regina Belle was able to come off with one of the most simplest down-home gospel songs recorded since Eddie Ruth Bradford recorded “Too Close to the Mirror.” Reminds you so much of the moans and chants from ol’ skool’s devotional service.

12. Israel & New Breed
"SAY SO"
from A Deeper Level (Integrity Gospel)
Sprinkles of pop and an energetic rhythm, this song from Israel’s talented pen emerged into one of 2008's brightest worship anthems. It may not possess the big gospel sound that one would anticipate but it’s got hype, charm, a dazzling set of lyrics and the intensity of a rock party. Good enough.

11. Trin-i-tee 5:7
"LISTEN"
from T57 (Spiri Rising Music/Music World)
“Listen” is a bold and aggressive step into the Destiny’s Child persona. With Mathew Knowles signing them to the Music World label, it was kind of expected. It’s just great to know that Jesus girls can pull off that kind of a sassy club banger.

10. Martha Munizzi
"FAVOR OF GOD"
from Change the World (Martha Munizzi Music)
Gospel’s Teena Marie elevates to a whole new level of fundafied worship on this blazing head bobber. Close your eyes for a second and allow your ears to take you on a journey of ‘80s R&B and electronica and you are bound to run across images of Prince and the Time. It’s that kind of presentation here - except it’s a Holy Ghost party.

9. Canton Jones
"MY DAY"
from Kingdom Business (MCG)
Cool, confident and so crossover-like. With the beats of a Stargate production, Canton Jones sparks with a breezy sound and a set of lyrics that gleams of the brighter spots of being saved. It’s almost as if Jones decided to interpret the lyrics of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” for the believer. Definitely one of the coolest tracks featuring Jones’ vocals and without a sign of a rap to come from the talented Atlanta singer.

8. West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir
"LORD PREPARE ME"
from No Limit (EMI Gospel)
A wonderful take on the popular Integrity/Hosanna! ballad (best known as “Sanctuary”). Its upbeat and delightfully performed by Chaz Shepherd. The R&B arrangement is definitely the major standout to this remake. It’s a song that praise teams and choirs can equally enjoy and present to their congregations.

7. Terry Dexter
"I'M FREE"
from Listen (Penny's Gang)
With the vibrations of a Ne-Yo cut and a pulsating rhythm that rings the best of R&B and gospel, Terry Dexter delivers one of the year’s best arranged and professionally-styled tracks for gospel radio. It definitely possesses the right ingredients for immediate crossover - which is a sham since gospel radio failed to push the sensational single. Still, YouTubers watched how the music video soared up the Most Viewed Video list.

6. Regina Belle
"VICTORY"
from Love Forever Shines (Pendulum)
If there was one song that should’ve been released as a single in 2008 but didn’t, it had to be Regina Belle’s “Victory.” The song is a perfect example of Belle singing in seriously comfortable territory. With an adult-contemporary tinge, heartfelt gospel lyrics and a compatible passion to go with it, “Victory” possesses all the good stuff that Yolanda Adams yearns for in a gospel ballad.

5. Hezekiah Walker & LFC
"SOULED OUT"
from Souled Out (Verity)
East coast gospel marked with Hezekiah Walker’s crunk narrations and a dynamic background band became the force behind this battle cry. It’s what we have come to expect in a choir rocker delivered by the popular pastor. What a joy it is to know that choir jams -when done right - are still a force to reckon with.

4. Jonathan Nelson & Purpose
"MY NAME IS VICTORY"
from Right Now Praise (Integrity Gospel)
With a resembling likeness of Jonathan Nelson’s previous hit “Healed,” he gives one of 2008's best performances on this promising cut. It reaffirms us of our promise as believers that we have the victory in Christ. If you didn’t get the gist in the lyrics, you are bound to pick up the rest in the bubbling, funky musical arrangement.

3. Marvin Sapp
"NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT"
from Thirsty (Verity)
Marvin Sapp continues to run his crossover smash hit up the charts. For a song flooded with unapologetic gospel sounds and an inspiring message of hope, it still baffles musical ears to know how much success came from a simple soulful number. The song is already two years old and it’s still riding on the charts and on radio. How amazing is that.

2. James Fortune & FIYA
"I'LL TRUST YOU "
from The Transformation (Worldwide)
Escalating up the gospel radio charts, “I’ll Trust You” brings yet another heartfelt gospel ballad from newcomer James Fortune and FIYA. It’s been three years since “You Survived” hit the radio. “I’ll Trust You” flows in that spirit of sentimentality. At the end, the song bubbles into its main event; a soulful vamp energized enough for any gospel choir’s repertoire.

1. Mary Mary
"GET UP"
from The Sound (Columbia)
You can always look for a club beat to resurrect from a new Mary Mary album. “Get Up,” one of the year's biggest crossovers, is probably the duo’s greatest party anthem they have ever cut. Not only is it a mighty encourager, but the positive lyrics and the cool beats enforces you to get up “literally.” You can’t help but have a good time on this one.

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