11 Songs That Provide That Spiritual Refresh | Playlist

1. The Rance Allen Group, “Champion”

Celebrate • Tyscot Music & Entertainment •  2014

“If God is for you then you are the winner / Champion, champion, champion!” That is definitely an inspiring line from the late, great Bishop Rance Allen and The Rance Allen Group.  The gospel icon sadly passed away on October 31, 2020.  He is best known for his anointed vocals on the Kirk Franklin hit, “Something About the Name Jesus”, where he nails a high A-flat with incredible ease.

On “Champion” from the group’s 2014 album, Celebrate, he emphasizes how powerful God is and if he is on your side, there is no way that you don’t come out as a champion.  “If God is with you, then who can stand against you?”  As always, Allen delivers awesome, gritty vocals, chocked full of soul and spirit over a dynamic, contemporary gospel backdrop. 

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2. Marvin Sapp, “Thank You for It All”

Chosen Vessel •  Sony • 2020

“I thank you for it all / The good, bad, the ugly, great and small / The times of victory when I fall / I’m so grateful that I’m still standing tall.” Amen, Marvin Sapp!  “Thank You for It All,” The opener from Chosen Vessel just feels totally right.  Sapp emphasizes giving God gratitude for all situations, including those that are the most difficult and uncomfortable.  Why, you ask, would you ever be thankful for the bad? Well, per Sapp, it is because God has blessed us with life itself, as well as surviving the storms, turbulence, and tribulations that come with it.

The songwriting is simple, yet, perfectly executed.  Sapp’s choir amplifies his emotional highs, taking “Thank You for It All,” to the next level.  Whether you’re religious or not, you should appreciate the spirit exhibited – the deference Marvin shows to The Most High.

“All that I am is because
All that You brought me through
And everything I survived
It’s all because of you.”

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3. Ricky Dillard, “He’s My Roof Top (Live)”

Ft. Keith Wonderboy Johnson

Choirmaster • Motown Gospel • 2020

Sure, gospel music speaks most to believers, but even the most unapologetic religious skeptic would be hard-pressed to deny the spirit cultivated on “He’s My Roof Top (Live).” The fifth song on Choirmaster, the 2020 album by Grammy-nominated gospel standout Ricky Dillard isn’t brand-new. No, it’s actually an enhanced cover of a The Mighty Clouds of Joy staple, “He’s My Rooftop”, from the 1983 album, Sing and Shout.  The Mighty Clouds of Joy version was funky in its own right – a progressive sound for contemporary black gospel music at the time. But we won’t focus on the iconic version – just the awesome take by Ricky Dillard, who enlists the awesome Keith Wonderboy Johnson for the vocal assist.   

Where the original clocked in at five minutes, Ricky Dillard and company go eight-and-a-half minutes and man, oh, man, is it energetic, funky, and high-flying to the nth degree.  Characterizing it as spirited is an understatement – it’s that potent.  Lyrically, the themes are familiar and idiomatic of black gospel: God is my all, and “I’m gonna serve him.” Again, regardless whether you are particularly pious or not religious at all, it’s hard to deny the power of this song, not to mention the rooftop metaphor (“For he’s my rooftop in the rage of the storm / He’s my protector, There will never be no harm”).

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4. Sunday Service Choir, “Revelation 19:1”

Jesus is Born • Sunday Service Choir • 2019

“Hallelujah, salvation, and glory / Honor and power unto the Lord, our God.” Among the best moments from Jesus is Born, the 2019 album by Sunday Service Choir, arrives via “Revelation 19:1.”Worth noting, “Revelation 19:1” was sampled in one of JESUS IS KING’s best songs ( Kanye West), “Selah”, specifically the “hallelujah” section.

Here, as its own entity, “Revelation 19:1” is a sight to behold (hear), with its robust, uplifting vocals and dedication to praising God. Even if religion isn’t your cup of tea, one can’t help but be impressed by the musicianship and the spirit exhibited by the collective.  This is a high-flying record that shows the full range and power of a gospel choir.

5. Hezekiah Walker, “Better”

Azusa the Next Generation 2 – Better • Azusa Inc. / Entertainment One • 2016

“People come / People go / Your life has been / Out of control / You’re confused / Don’t worry your soul / It will get better…” Amen! Hezekiah Walker’s contemporary gospel anthem, “Better” ( Azusa the Next Generation 2 – Better) is bursting with encouragement, exuberance, and sheer excellence.  It doesn’t hurt that the choir is on-point or that the modulations (key changes) amplify the power of the message.

Simply put, “It will get better / because God is in control.” “Better” naturally emphasizes the importance of faith in God to attain deliverance.  Again, even if you’re not the most religious individual per se, the positivity and sheer optimism is infectious. This is an optimal musical selection to provide that spiritual refresh.

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6. Commodores, “Jesus Is Love”

Heroes • Motown • 1980

“Jesus is love / He won’t let you down / And I know he’s mine forever / Oh, in my heart.” Commodores and Lionel Richie take the power of Jesus seriously on their soul-gospel gem, “Jesus Is Love.”  While “Jesus Is Love” is considered a standard in both genres, compared to the more secular Commodores/Richie songs, it’s underrated.  It shouldn’t be – this is arguably the soul collective’s deepest, most touching song.  The affirmation of faith coupled with a societal need for faith is deep.

The most powerful section of the song occurs towards the end – the breakdown section if you will.  Lionel Richie is totally ‘feeling’ the love and in total deference.  “Who can bring you love? (Jesus) / Who can bring you joy (Jesus) / Who can turn your life around (Jesus),” he sings, exuding the utmost spirit.  Later, he goes on to assert that you can “Call him in the mornin’ / Call him in the evenin’ / Call in the midnight hour…” The spiritual refresh is totally real, even from a song four decades old.

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7. Bishop Paul S. Morton, “Something Happens (Jesus)”

Best Days Yet • Tehillah Music Group / Light / Entertainment One • 2012

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Something Happens when I call you…” “Something Happens” is written with incredible simplicity, yet, it’s also incredibly telling. Bishop Paul S. Morton speaks to the power of petitioning to God on this powerful standout from his 2012 album, Best Days Yet.  The fourth track may be lyrically limited, but the seven-and-a-half-minute number is epic to the nth degree.

Morton is beautifully and spiritually supported by his choir, who help to set the tone early on. Soon enough, the bishop brings his anointed pipes into the mix, singing with incredible authenticity about the omniscience and mercifulness of The Most High.  This is praise and worship at its best and highest level, holding nothing back.  The spiritual refresh is totally real to the nth degree.

8. Byron Cage, “Gratitude”

Ft. Mumen Ngenge

Memoirs of a Worshipper • Verity Gospel Music Group • 2012

Byron Cage commences his 2012 album, Memoirs of a Worshipper, with a ballad as opposed to an up tempo, funkier opener.  He even addresses this ‘change of pace’ on his spoken word intro for “Gratitude.” Even though he works with a slower pace and something of a different tone, “Gratitude” ends up being utterly exceptional, packing a mighty punch, nonetheless.

Cage delivers fine lead vocals, accompanied by piano primarily. As expected, the contents of the verse reflect his gratitude towards God.  “Lord my God, when I reflect, on life and just how far I’ve come,” he sings, continuing, “You’ve sustained my path, kept me through it all / Even when I felt like I would fall.” On the second verse, the lead shifts to female lead, Mumen Ngenge.  The arrangement kicks things up a notch yet Ngenge still retains a certain level of poise before things ascend to that next level.  The most exciting line of Ngenge’s verse?

“If it were not for your loving hands that helped me find my way
I would be so lost and drifted like a ship
A ship without a sail.”

The two then trade a few lines and duet together, leading into the most powerful section of “Gratitude,” the chorus, where they totally ‘let it rip’:

“Thank you, Lord
For everything that you have done in my life I say
We say, thank you
For your goodness
Thank you
And your mercy
Thank you, Lord...”

During this section, we get a key change that brings in the full choir, excellent vocal harmonies between Cage and Ngenge, and the most epic parts of the thankful “Gratitude” overall.

9. Marvin Sapp, “Never Would’ve Made It”

Thirsty • RCA • 2007

“Never would have made it / Never could have made it without you / I would have lost it all / But now I see how you were there for me.” It’s incredibly rare that a contemporary gospel song impacts the pop charts.  That’s exactly what happened with the inspirational, spiritually charged, totally uplifting Marvin Sapp hit, “Never Would Have Made It” ( Thirsty).

As Sapp sings, his passion and relentless faith is easily perceptible to the listener.  Among the best moments are the likes of, “I am stronger / I am wiser / And now I am better / so much better.” Sigh, the reading the lyrics alone pack a mighty, reverent, and totally moving punch. Speaking to the pop success of the record, it peaked at no. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100.

10. Ricky Dillard, “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

Choirmaster • Motown Gospel • 2020

Gospel standout Ricky Dillard joined by a mass choir and an anointed countertenor ( Thomas Allen), delivers a record for ‘times like these’ with “Let There Be Peace on Earth (Live)”, an advance from his 2020 album, Choirmaster. 2020 has proven to be quite the turbulent year – not the way anyone anticipated commencing a new decade.  The biggest shocker has been the heartbreaking and deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the entire world. What better time, hence, to petition for ‘peace on earth?’

Dillard’s rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth” yields amazing results. Honestly, you don’t have to be a believer to arrive at that takeaway.  The mass choir rendition finds the spirit is lofty, led by the compelling, technically sound Thomas Allen. The arrangement also deserves recognition, opting against merely being tried and true version, expanding beyond. If you’re in need of music to help assuage and sooth anxiety, doubts, and troubles, particularly given the turbulence of 2020, “Let There Be Peace on Earth (Live)” is definitely worth adding to your listening rotation.

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11. Kirk Franklin, “Something About the Name Jesus”

The Nu Nation Project •  GospoCentric • 1998

The Nu Nation Project is one of my, if not my favorite Kirk Franklin albums. Sure, it arrived back in 1998 but it’s an album that doesn’t sound like it’s more than two decades old.  One of the very best songs from this stacked affair is “Something About the Name Jesus,” which I referenced earlier discussing Bishop Rance Allen. Why? Well, Allen sings lead on this epic affair, showing off truly anointed pipes.

What stands out about Allen’s performance is both his upper register as well as the grit he sings with.  He nails a high Ab with ease when the key modulates from C major to Db major, one of the signature moments of the record.  Furthermore, he’s able blend and oscillate between falsetto and grittier, cutting edge vocals seamlessly – musically impressive while also being spiritually fulfilling and refreshing.  Beyond Allen’s vocals, the songwriting is ‘pitch perfect’ as well.  The gist of the song is how awesome Jesus is, even the mere mention of his name.

“Something about the name Jesus
Something about the name Jesus
It is the sweetest name I know
Oh how I love the name Jesus
Oh how I love the name Jesus
It is the sweetest name I know.”