Top 40 Worship Song Music Trends in September 2024

Updated 2024
Estimate time to read: 6 minutes

This is a deep dive analysis of the top 40 worship songs of September 2024 based on a number of different musical and artist metrics, including key signature, time signature, tempo, artist frequency and more.

Sections:

• Source

• Key Signatures Ranked

• Tempos (BPM) Ranked

• Slowest Song

• Fastest Song

• Time Signature Breakdown

• Vocal Range Overview

• Smallest Vocal Range

• Largest Vocal Range

• Title Tracks or Not

• Album Frequency

• Artist Frequency

• Release Year

• Wrapping It Up

• Top 40 Song List

Source

These are the top 40 worship songs for September 2024, collected from PraiseCharts. Their list is updated daily based on sales and downloads over the last 28 days. Data was collected on September 29th, 2024. Given this list is based on sales and downloads, it may not be an accurate reflection of the songs played by worship teams across the globe. I know I like to listen to songs that my church would never play and I’m sure several of the songs on this list fall into that category.

Key Signatures Ranked

The most popular key signature in September 2024 is the key of D major, with a total of 10 songs. 6 songs are in the time signature of 4/4, 3 songs are in 6/8, and 1 song is in 12/8. These songs range in tempo from 64 to 167 beats per minute (BPM).

Interested in learning more about this key? Check out these blog posts: How to Play Chords in the Key of D and Key of D and the D Major Scale on Guitar.

#1. Before The Manger (6 Song Choral Collection) - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Brroke Voland/Hannah Kerr/Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

#3. Angles We Have Heard On High - Hannah Kerr/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Mason Brown

#5. As For Me And My House - Keith & Kristyn Getty/Cochren & Co

#8. In The Fullness Of Time - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

#9. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus/Joy To The World - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Arr. Mason Brown

#19. I Believe - Phil Wickham

#20. Bless God - Brooke Ligertwood

#27. Take You At Your Word - Cody Carnes/Bejamin William Hastings

#28. O Come All You Unfaithful - Brooke Voland/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton

#40. Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel (with Angels We Have Heard) - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton

The second most popular key signature in September 2024 is tied between the key of C major and Ab (A flat) major, each with 4 songs. 6 songs are in the time signature of 4/4 and 2 songs are in the time signature of 6/8. They range in tempo from 63 to 150 beats per minute (BPM).

Ab (A flat) Major

#13. Goodness of God - Bethel Music/Jenn Johnson

#15. That’s My King - CeCe Winans

#24. That’s My King - Cheryl Stark/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Mason Brown

#25. Goodbye Yesterday - ELEVATION RHYTHM

C Major

#12. Trust In God - Elevation Worship/Chris Brown

#18. Made For More - Josh Baldwin/Jenn Johnson

#29. The Power Of The Cross - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

#39. All The Praise - Prestonwood Worship/Prestonwood Choir/Arr. Michael Neale / Orch. Carson Wagner

Interested in learning more about this key? Check out this blog post: How to Play Chords in the Key of C.

Key Signature Frequency

As you can see in the chart above, there are 2 songs written in minor keys, Bm (B minor) and Cm (C minor). While contemporary worship songs are typically written in major keys, it’s not unheard of for the occasional song to be in a minor key.

Tempos (BPM) Ranked

In September, there were a total of 32 different tempos, with the most common being tied between 64 and 76 BPMs for 3 songs each.

64 BPMs

#1. Before The Manger (6 Song Choral Collection) - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Brroke Voland/Hannah Kerr/Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

#9. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus/Joy To The World - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Arr. Mason Brown

#38. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin

76 BPMs

#2. Manager Throne (with The First Noel) - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

#23. Before The Manger (A Worship Moment) - Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

#31. Christ Our Hope In Life And Death - Matt Papa/Keith & Kristyn Getty

These 4 tempos tied for second most common, each with 2 songs: 74, 115, 147, 150.

Slowest Song

The slowest song of the month was 54 BPMs, same as August 2024.

#12. I Believe - Charity Gayle

Fastest Song

The fastest song of the month was 167 BPMs. Although it may not feel too fast, given the song is in 6/8.

#28. O Come All You Unfaithful - Brooke Voland/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton

Time Signature Breakdown

Time signature popularity went to 4/4 with 65% of all songs, while the other times signatures included 6/8, 3/4, and 12/8. Song ranking was mixed as songs in 4/4 included 2nd and 40th place and everything in between. Songs in 6/8 occupied rank 1st through 32rd.

The song in 3/4 is ranked #31. Christ Our Hope In Life And Death - Matt Papa/Keith & Kristyn Getty

The song in 12/8 is ranked #27. Take You At Your Word - Cody Carnes/Bejamin William Hastings

Time Signature Frequency

Vocal Range Overview

Vocal range of songs varied from 9 to 21 half steps and ranks varied. For context, there are 12 half steps in an octave, which is the same note repeated after going through all notes in between.

It’s worth noting that there are a total of 10 songs that are “Choral” arrangements, meaning there are multiple vocal parts written together (SATB or similar), making an easy analysis of the vocal range difficult.

The 11th song without a vocal range is an instrumental track:

#23. Before The Manger (A Worship Moment) - Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

Vocal Range Frequency (in half steps)

Choral/Staff represent music with some bass clef parts, separated

smallest vocal range

The song with the smallest vocal range has 9 half steps (not even one octave).

#12. Trust In God - Elevation Worship/Chris Brown

largest vocal range

There are 3 songs that tie for having the largest vocal range, each with a vocal range of 21 half steps (just under 2 full octaves).

#6. Behold (with O Holy Night)(A Christmas Moment) - Travis Cottrell/Debbie Low/Orch. Mason Brown

#7. Love of God - Brandon Lake/Phil Wickham

#30. I Speak Jesus - Charity Gayle/Steven Musso

Title Tracks or Not

There were 15 title tracks in September, meaning the name of the song is the same as the name of the album. This equates to 35% of the top 40 worship songs being title tracks. This excludes any additional song title text within parentheses.

#1. Before The Manger (6 Song Choral Collection) - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Brroke Voland/Hannah Kerr/Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

#5. As For Me And My House - Keith & Kristyn Getty/Cochren & Co

#7. Love of God - Brandon Lake/Phil Wickham

#16. Firm Foundation (He Won’t) - Cody Carnes

#18. Made For More - Josh Baldwin/Jenn Johnson

#19. I Believe - Phil Wickham

#21. Manger Throne - Phil Wickham

#22. Angels (Glory To God) - Phil Wickham

#23. Before The Manger (A Worship Moment) - Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

#24. That’s My King - Cheryl Stark/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Mason Brown

#25. Goodbye Yesterday - ELEVATION RHYTHM

#29. The Power Of The Cross - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

#32. Behold - Phil Wickham/Anne Wilson

#35. His Glory And My Good - CityAlight

#37. Rejoice - Charity Gayle/Arr. Luke Gambill

Album Frequency

There are 4 albums where more than one song is on the list. Here they are broken up by album, arranged alphabetically.

Before The Manger

#1. Before The Manger (6 Song Choral Collection) - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Brroke Voland/Hannah Kerr/Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

#2. Manager Throne (with The First Noel) - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

#3. Angles We Have Heard On High - Hannah Kerr/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Mason Brown

#8. In The Fullness Of Time - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

#9. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus/Joy To The World - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Arr. Mason Brown

#23. Before The Manger (A Worship Moment) - Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

Can You Imagine

#11. Praise - Elevation Worship/Chris Brown/Brandon Lake/Chandler Moore

#12. Trust In God - Elevation Worship/Chris Brown

Come Behold Emmanuel: A Christmas Worship Celebration

#6. Behold (with O Holy Night)(A Christmas Moment) - Travis Cottrell/Debbie Low/Orch. Mason Brown

#10. O Come O Come Emmanuel (with Even So Come) - Cheryl Stark/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Mason Brown

#14. Light Of The World (Sing Hallelujah) - Brooke Voland/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton

#28. O Come All You Unfaithful - Brooke Voland/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton

#40. Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel (with Angels We Have Heard) - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton

Rejoice

#17. I Believe - Charity Gayle

#37. Rejoice - Charity Gayle/Arr. Luke Gambill

Artist Frequency

Collaborations push Travis Cottrell to the top, with 7 songs. Cheryl Stark, who co-writes with Travis, has a total of 4 songs.

Phil Wickham has a total of 6 songs.

CeCe Winans has 3 songs total.

Charity Gayle has 3 songs.

Brandon Lake has 3 songs, 1 being a collaboration with Phil Whickham, and 1 being a collaboration with Elevation Worship.

Elevation Worship/Chris Brown has 2 songs, and one for Elevation Rhythm.

Chris Tomlin has 2 songs.

Cody Carnes has 2 songs.

To view some really interesting connections between popular worship artists and writers, check out this post by Worship Leader Research: The Integrated Worship Songwriting Network.

Release Year

Looking at the album release years, this is best depicted as a chart.

What’s interesting is that although the year with the most songs is the current year (2024 with 18 songs), over half of the top songs were released in a prior year, with #38 being released in 2006.

Album Release Year

Wrapping It Up

I’ve enjoyed compiling this analysis of the top 40 worship songs in September 2024 based on key signatures, tempo, and more. If you’re interested in a more theological discussion about the lyrics for popular worship songs, check out The Berean Test.

What other metrics would you be interested in seeing for next month’s analysis? Leave a comment below or submit your idea here.

Top 40 Song List

1. Before The Manger (6 Song Choral Collection) - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Brroke Voland/Hannah Kerr/Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

2. Manager Throne (with The First Noel) - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

3. Angles We Have Heard On High - Hannah Kerr/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Mason Brown

4. Holy Forever - Chris Tomlin

5. As For Me And My House - Keith & Kristyn Getty/Cochren & Co

6. Behold (with O Holy Night)(A Christmas Moment) - Travis Cottrell/Debbie Low/Orch. Mason Brown

7. Love of God - Brandon Lake/Phil Wickham

8. In The Fullness Of Time - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

9. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus/Joy To The World - Travis Cottrell/Cheryl Stark/Arr. Mason Brown

10. O Come O Come Emmanuel (with Even So Come) - Cheryl Stark/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Mason Brown

11. Praise - Elevation Worship/Chris Brown/Brandon Lake/Chandler Moore

12. Trust In God - Elevation Worship/Chris Brown

13. Goodness of God - Bethel Music/Jenn Johnson

14. Light Of The World (Sing Hallelujah) - Brooke Voland/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton

15. That’s My King - CeCe Winans

16. Firm Foundation (He Won’t) - Cody Carnes

17. I Believe - Charity Gayle

18. Made For More - Josh Baldwin/Jenn Johnson

19. I Believe - Phil Wickham

20. Bless God - Brooke Ligertwood

21. Manger Throne - Phil Wickham

22. Angels (Glory To God) - Phil Wickham

23. Before The Manger (A Worship Moment) - Emily Sill/Arr. Mason Brown

24. That’s My King - Cheryl Stark/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Mason Brown

25. Goodbye Yesterday - ELEVATION RHYTHM

26. Abide - The Worship Initiative/Shane & Shane

27. Take You At Your Word - Cody Carnes/Bejamin William Hastings

28. O Come All You Unfaithful - Brooke Voland/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton

29. The Power Of The Cross - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Mason Brown

30. I Speak Jesus - Charity Gayle/Steven Musso

31. Christ Our Hope In Life And Death - Matt Papa/Keith & Kristyn Getty

32. Behold - Phil Wickham/Anne Wilson

33. Praise You Anywhere - Brandon Lake

34. House Of The Lord - Phil Wickham

35. His Glory And My Good - CityAlight

36. Worthy Of It All - CeCe Winans

37. Rejoice - Charity Gayle/Arr. Luke Gambill

38. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin

39. All The Praise - Prestonwood Worship/Prestonwood Choir/Arr. Michael Neale / Orch. Carson Wagner

40. Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel (with Angels We Have Heard) - Travis Cottrell/Arr. Travis Cottrell/Orch. Travis Patton