If you look upon Chris Tomlin and Michael W. Smith with envy, you should read about 11 easiest gospel songs to sing.
No need to fear. We ranked many gospel songs using a scale with two important variables: the amount of key changes and commonality. Key changes can really amp up the difficulty level of a song- you’ll have to come in on the right note, and sing either higher or lower than originally. Maybe too high or too low. That’s why songs with no key changes got 2 points, songs with 1-2 key changes got 1 point, and songs with 3 or more key changes got 0.
Another huge factor when learning a song is how well you already know it. It’s much harder to start completely from scratch than to better learn a song that you’re at least a little familiar with. So we went to Google searching and searched only the titles of each song on the list. Those that showed up 8-10 times in the search results got 4 points. Those that appeared 5-7 times got 3 points, 3-4 appearances got 2 points, 1-2 got 1 and 0 got none.
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That adds up to the total points possible amount of 6. (We gave commonality a higher number of points because we believed it to be a more important factor.)
And just in case you’re wondering, gospel music is defined here as Christian music with more of a country than a contemporary feel to it. That means we did not include Christian rock or choir music, such as the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, in this list, though they’re sometimes considered in the gospel genre. Gospel songs can sometimes be hymns, but not always. The definition of gospel music can vary from culture to culture, but that’s how we defined it for this article.
Maybe you’re aspiring to sing at church, or you just want something uplifting to sing to yourself in the shower (if yes, see also 21 Easiest Songs to Sing that Sound Impressive), but either way, you’re sure to enjoy our list.
Singing, especially singing religious songs, isn’t always a walk in the park. For some reason, we can pick up Taylor Swift’s latest tune in a heartbeat, yet anything that has to do with God takes us years to learn.
But get your microphone ready- do your Sharpay voice exercises fast- here are 11 easiest gospel songs to sing.
11. There’s Still Power in the Blood by The Collingsworth Family
amount of key changes: 1 which equals 1/2 points
commonality: 9/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 5/6
This one’s definitely upbeat and a little jazzy- not like the drab hymns your grandmother sings at the Baptist church, that’s for sure. Who says Christians don’t know how to groove?
10. One Scarred Hand by Gold City
amount of key changes: 1 which equals 1/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 5/6
This song talks about healing power that reaches to a not only physical but spiritual level. Sing it to an ill friend or relative and you’re sure to inspire. (Only if you have a good singing voice, that is.)
9. Lord of Eternity by Fernando Ortega
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
You can learn this one in a heartbeat, and if anyone you know plays the violin, get them to play along and you’ll have a beautiful piece of music.
8. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Alan Jackson
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
This is one of the gospel songs on our list of easiest gospel songs to sing that doubles as a hymn. That doesn’t mean it’s boring, though. Alan Jackson sings it, so that has to be a good sign.
7. Long Black Train by Josh Turner
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
What’s religious about a long black train you ask? Listen to the song to discover the clever analogy.
6. Down to the River by Allison Kraus
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 9/10 search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
In her pure and clear, nearly angelic voice, Allison expertly performs this song that ranked 6th on our list of easiest gospel songs to sing. Don’t even feel a little bit bad if you can’t match her sound because practically no one can.
5. When I Get Where I’m Going by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
These lyrics in number five on our list of 11 easiest gospel songs to sing talk about heaven and sound remarkably soothing. And though people in the Youtube comments keep saying they want it played at their funeral, it’s not at all morose or depressing.
4. Anywhere with Jesus by Amy Grant
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
Just listen to the twang this song’s got. Start singing it and you’ll be clapping along before you know it.
3. It Matters to the Master by The Collingsworth Family
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
These lyrics talk about the Master’s care for our earthly problems. Which means He cares about your strong desire to sing gospel songs well, and He might just help you sing them.
2. I’ll Fly Away by Randy Travis
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
Referring to eternity, this tune number 2 on our list of easiest gospel songs to sing certainly doesn’t drag, either. But who wouldn’t be excited if flying was really in the future?
1. Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone by Chris Tomlin
amount of key changes: none which equals 2/2 points
commonality: 10/10 of google search results which equals 4/4 points
total score: 6/6
This isn’t just Amazing Grace- that would be too easy. There’s a chorus tacked onto it that turns the traditional hymn into a powerful melody. Give it a try.
We hope you enjoyed singing along to 11 easiest gospel songs to sing– hopefully your audience did too.
