2021 has been an amazing year for new worship songs with many writers finding the isolation of lockdown and restrictions providing a new focus and clarity in hearing from God. As churches return to a “new normal”, now is the perfect time to introduce your congregation to new songs.
From quiet and reflective to all age worship, anthemic declarations and reimagining of classic hymns, we’ve found something for everyone. Featuring some of the biggest names in Christian contemporary music as well as some newer up and coming songwriters, here are 10 of our favourite new songs of 2021.
Give You Everything I've Got - Hilary Sanders | Ian Yates | Sam Blake
The Spring Harvest Big Start theme song this year was a foot stomping, bin bashing, tin can tapping song of praise, worshipping the Lord of All in All of life!
Born Again - Bekah Collis | Olly Knight | Joel Pointon
Inspired by 1 Peter 1:3, which tells us how we have been born again to "a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ".
Graves Into Gardens - Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Steven Furtick | Tiffany Hudson
Released in August 2020, Graves into Gardens has since gone on to win the 2021 Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Song and be nominated for 3 Dove awards. The chorus refrain “There's nothing better than You” has proved a rousing battle cry for the UK church and seen the song move into the CCLI top 100.
I Am Yours - Nathan Jess | Ian Yates
Elim Sound note: “I Am Yours is a song of surrender, it's a song of coming back to simplicity and coming back to intimate worship. The song started out in a writing session in Liverpool with Ian and Nathan in March 2020 just before the first lockdown.”
A deeper, broader look at the bread and wine, telescoping back to the Passover meal that Jesus and his disciples were celebrating, and zooming forwards to "until he comes again".
Peace Peace - Becky Frith | Trevor Ranger
Released on Trevor Ranger’s latest album, Hold On, Peace Peace is a wonderful story-telling song, a calming but clear re-telling of Jesus in the storm from Mark 4.
Old Church Basement - Brandon Lake | Chandler Moore | Dante Bowe | Steven Furtick
Old Church Basement is the title track of the new collaborative album by contemporary worship giants Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music. The album has been nominated for Worship Album of the Year at the 2021 Dove awards.
A Fountain from The Crucified - Tim Chester | Phil Moore | Glen Scrivener
Taking inspiration from John 4, Fountain from The Crucified is a call back to the life-giving water of Jesus. “Come, come to the waters that never will run dry. Come, come to the waters that truly satisfy.”
Re-released to coincide with the Spring Harvest Home 2021 event, Unrivalled was a timely release, glorifying God after an extremely challenging year for most.
What can make my worship worthy? - Geraldine Latty | Carey Luce | Sam Hargreaves
Geraldine notes: “I have some profound memories of singing the hymn ‘Nothing But the Blood of Jesus’ by Robert Lowry, so it seemed a natural step to explore the wider themes around this poignant six-word phrase.”
We have resources to help you introduce these songs into your worship sets. Simply click the link for the song you like the sound of and you can listen, download and buy resources directly from our site.
Why not add your favourite songs to a setlist and share it with your friends or fellow worship leaders and see what they think?
Are we missing any of your favourite songs from 2021? Join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram and let us know.
Listen as a playlist on Spotify.
