Top 40 Songs for 2009
I'm happy to present my 3rd annual Top 40 Songs of the Year in Southern Gospel Music. Here's how I arrive at my rankings: I take a look at the Top 80 for every month of the year in the Singing News magazine. Equal weight is given to a song that peaked at #80 in any given month and a song that went to #1. A song is eligible for both 2008 year-end honors and 2009 year-end honors if it was charting in both years. So you will recognize some of these songs from last year's Top 40...if they were good enough to make the cut both years.
Basically, these are the 40 songs that I like the best in 2009. Some I like for their lyrical content, some for the music, some just for the overall groove of the song....Hope you enjoy.
1. The Difference Is In Me--Gaither Vocal Band
2. Whispered Prayers--Karen Peck & New River
3. Stand By The River--Greenes
4. The Blood Of Jesus--Collingsworth Family
5. If You Knew Him--Perrys
6. The Funeral Of Jesus--Big Mo
7. Loving The Lamb--Mark Trammel Trio
8. Somebody Like Me--Martins
9. I'll See You Soon--Mercy's Well
10. Between 12 and 33--McKameys
11. I Get To--Three Bridges
12. In A Million Years--Legacy 5
13. What Salvation's Done For Me--Booth Brothers
14. He Never Sleeps--Mark Bishop
15. The Old White Flag--Triumphant Quartet
16. The Potter Knows The Clay--Perrys
17. Jesus Made A Believer Out Of Me--Kingdom Heirs
18. I Believe God--Brian Free and Assurance
19. King's Kid--Browders
20. You Don't Have To Answer To Me--Reggie Saddler Family
21. Why Can't All God's Children Get Along?--Karen Peck and New River
22. Eternity Has Two--Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
23. It Pays To Pray--Greater Vision
24. Something Visible--Mitchel Jon
25. What Children Believe--Gold City
26. The Old Path--Steve Warren
27. Hello After Goodbye--Legacy Five
28. God's Not Through With You--Mike & Kelly Bowling
29. That's Enough--Talley Trio
30. The Word--Kingsmen
31. The Son Came Down--Inspirations
32. The Story Of My Life--Stutzman Family
33. In Everything Give Thanks--Charlotte Ritchie
34. He Will Remember Me--Archie Watkins
35. A Little Good News--Dove Brothers
36. The Cloud He's Coming Back On--Kingsmen
37. I Cast My Bread Upon The Waters--Gold City
38. Blame It On Love--Hoppers
39. I'm Movin' Out Of Here--Skyline Boys
40. When God Ran--Kingsmen
Honorable Mention: Die Another Day (Brian Free & Assurance), Breath That Gives Me Life (Pathfinders), Already On My Knees (LeBeaus), That's When God Steps In (HisSong), When I Lay My Isaac Down (Mike Upright), Walk Away Free (Naomi & The Segos)