One of our most searched phrases at The Worship Community is Upbeat Worship Songs. We totally understand. Worship anthems and ballads are fairly accessible and you can almost throw a rock in any direction and hit a great one, but really uptempo, fast, driving, praise songs can be hard to come by.
(List updated August 2014)
This is a growing list (albeit subjective) of what we feel might be some great albums to start your search for the best upbeat worship songs. We’ve also included our thoughts on these individual songs as well, so be sure to read our upbeat worship song reviews included with each listing.
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Hillsong Young & Free – We Are Young & FreeGarnering 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon and 4.5 stars out of 5 on iTunes, Young & Free, one of the many groups affiliated with the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia, release CCM music with a target audience of teens and tweens. Announced in 2012, the group issued the singles Alive, Wake, and the Spanish-language Vivo Estás, all in 2013. Filled with dance beats and teen pop anthems, their debut album, We Are Young & Free, arrived later in the year, featuring production from Hillsong veteran Michael-Guy Chislett. Our thoughts:This is definitely an album geared towards the younger generation, but in listening through the album there are several songs like Wake and Alive that would make great congregational songs, regardless of the age of the congregants. With some intentional arranging, these songs will cleverly adapt to the Sunday morning adult service. |
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Bethel Music – Be Lifted HighWith a rating of 4.8 stars at Amazon and 5 stars on iTunes, Be Lifted High is a very solid starting place when it comes to looking for uptempo praise songs for your Sunday Setlists. This album features Bethel Music artists: Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Riddle, William Matthews, Amanda Falk, and Steffany Frizzell. Released in 2011, this album might be an older offering but if you’re not singing songs from it, you might be missing out on some great high energy tunes for your congregation. Our thoughts:This album has 3 songs that immediately work in the uptempo slots in your worship set lists. You Are Good (featuring Brian Johnson), is a fun, celebratory song that orients itself around singing, dancing, and shouting! Furious (featuring Jeremy Riddle), drives along with great drum and guitar grooves, and is a declaration of the steadfast and passionate love that God has for us. Deep Cries Out (featuring William Matthews) might work better in children and youth environments, but it is a solid, celebratory song perfect for walk-in or opening slot in your setlist. |
Jesus Culture – Unstoppable LoveUnstoppable Love has a 4.9 stars out of 5 rating on Amazon and a 4.5 stars out of 5 on iTunes, setting this album up in the solid musical offerings category among those who bought it. Recorded live in January 2014 at the Jesus Culture conference in Sacramento, CA and released in June 2014, this live album from Jesus Culture has several upbeat worship songs that make our list of recommendations. Our thoughts:Chris Quilala and Kim Walker-Smith are back at the forefront leading the band for this live album. We Will Run (featuring Kim Walker-Smith) is a great faster song whose lyrics remember the love of Jesus and the work He did on the Cross. Light of the World (featuring Chris Quilala) is a moderately uptempo song that celebrates Jesus’ triumph over death. |
We will continue to add to this list as we find more solid upbeat worship songs that you can use in your setlists!
Photo Credit: Joshua Davis – used under a Creative Commons License
