As a precursor to my final (probably) post of Top 20 albums, here is a list of my Top 50 songs with a linked playlist if you’d like to listen along. Truth be told, it’s really a Top 100 songs of all genres, but instead of that potentially overwhelming post I just share fifty here and you can see 51-100 by tuning in on Spotify. The Jukebox Junkies Top 100 Songs Playlist.
So, these are the tunes that resonated longest and deepest. It’s likely due to a clever turn of phrase, but there will also be some picked simply for their vibe alone. That’s more recent for me, but hey, sometimes you just need a fire song to put you in a good mood.
Top 50
50. “We Bless You God” – Zeal House
49. “Under the Circus Lights” – Owl City
48. “Better Place” – NSync (Mainstream)
I can’t help it. It’s so dang catchy!
47. “Magic Kingdom” – Ben Shive
46. “Gospel Oak” – Hrada
45. “Breathe With Me” – Lacey Sturm
44. “So Sure” – Colorvault
Indie. Alt/pop worship vibes. Worth a listen if that intrigues you.
43. “Lacerate” – Anberlin
42. “All in All” – Josh Garrels
41. “Rich” – Indietribe
Sometimes you just need a hip-hop banger. This is that song.
40. “Camouflage” – Joseph O’Brien
39. “Basement” – Off Road Minivan
90s alt rock grooves. Yes please.
38. “I’ve Deconverted, Please Like and Share” – Showbread
37. “Leaving the Lights Up” – Jars of Clay
36. “The One Out the Friendzone” – Social Club Misfits
35. “A Thousand Shores” – Citizens
34. “Wild Waves” – Leem of Earth
33. “In My Blood” – Switchfoot
32. “Happy Goat Lucky” – Zach & Maggie
31. “Honest” – Candace Coker
Candace has a killer voice. This song has vibes for days.
30. “Radiant Reason” – Kings Kaleidoscope
29. “Subtitles” – Madison Cunningham (Mainstream)
28. “Range Rover (A capella)” – Ben Rector
27. “The Wreckage” – Schuyler Kitchin
26. “Going in Circles” – Sam Hauge
A one-man-band of pop-punk goodness. Very impressive.
Top 25
25. “Happy” – NF
Always raw/real lyrically. I identify with this one too much sometimes.
24. “Marrow” – Benjamin Daniel (Feat. Sky Peterson)
I will not get tired of saying it…Daniel’s is one of the best lyricist in faith-based music. This duet is top-notch.
23. “Matthew 6” – Tekoa
A upbeat reminder that the believer is in good hands that will provide, a promise we can count on.
22. “New” – Lauren Daigle
Playful and buoyant. Also, a tremendous voice makes it easy to return to often.
21. “Ghost Variations” – Nick Webber
Startlingly honest. Lyrically gutting.
20. “Deep Cuts” – Peabod
A terrific head-bobbing tune.
19. “Give Me You” – Jon Guerra & Andrew Belle
A surprising pairing from two newer favorites.
18. “Jesus Is” – Paper Horses
Country-leaning vibes with gentle assurances.
17. “The Girl With the Weight of the World” – Dave Barnes
Sweet pop song from the golden voiced Dave Barnes. Beatlesque
16. “Losing My Head Again” – Mike Mains & the Branches
Pop/rock goodness right up my alley.
15. “Pioneer” – Cory Asbury
One of many gems from the album with the same name.
14. “Elder Statesman” – Shai Linne
Best CHH song of 2023?!
13. “Trying to Survive” – Colony House
So relatable in today’s economy.
12. “Maestro (Tears Don’t Lie)” Stripped back version – Wilder Woods
Just the right amount of swagger and soul.
11. “You’ve Already Won” – Shane & Shane
My favorite congregational worship song of the year. Passionate reminder.
11. “Choose” – Chase Tremaine
One of my favorites that friend and fellow JFH staffer has released to the present day.
10. “God & Prozac” – Chris Renzema
Sometimes the lyrics say it best.
“The better part of my twenties spent writing songs about God
On a Prozac prescription, doesn’t that seem odd?
‘Cause I believe in a gospel and a God who is good
But these chemicals don’t always work like they should”
9. “Golden Hour” (Orchestral Version) – Jvke (Mainstream)
Rolling piano and an infectious melody will gaurentee this song sticks in your head for days.
8. “Paradise” – Frankie Orella
A slinky groove sucks me right into this smart pop track.
7. “Everyone’s Moving Out East” – Half Moon Run (Mainstream)
Beautiful and haunting.
6. “New Day in the Dark” – John Mark McMillan
This weary ballad grabbed my attention immediately and hasn’t let me go.
5. “Let a Little Light In” – Jon Guerra
“Let a little light in
My heart is in a panic
Don’t leave me in the dark
Let a little light in”
4. “The Cave” – Needtobreathe
A straight fire barn-burner. This is the NTB I love mirroring thier live show energy perfectly.
3. “Who’s Laughing Now” – Durry (Mainstream)
The disaffected/dissatisfaction of the present reality of our world shines through brightly here. Relatable.
2. “Forgone” – Tow’rs
A tender husband/wife harmony I keep coming back to with my kind of poetic lyrical moments throughout.
1. “Two Kinds” – The Arcadian Wild
Vocally captivating. Lyrically challenging. Musically arresting. Perfect song.
That’s it! One more time with the Top 100 Songs of 2023 Playlist.
Thanks for reading!
Also, here’s my Top 20 Albums of 2023 List