Finding fast, upbeat worship songs is one of the toughest parts of a worship leader’s job.
I still haven’t quite figured out why this is. Maybe it’s a lot easier for worship artists to write slow, contemplative songs. They’re certainly a lot easier to play.
When a church worship team does find a good fast song, it proves too difficult or ends up sounding cheesy or mid-tempo.
No matter how difficult, worship leaders need fast praise songs. The Bible doesn’t call us to sing only dirges every Sunday!
Not to fear. I’ve decided we worship leaders need a great resource to find fast songs.
So here’s a list of fast songs that we’re doing in my church, or that I know other churches are doing. If you have additional songs that work well for your team, leave some ideas in the comments. If I agree with you, your song could make it on my list. So comment away. Without further ado, here are the songs.
Grace On Top Of Grace — Fellowship Creative | CCLI #7040862 | Album: Eclipsed
This is a fast, easy song and you can even work in “Amazing Grace” as they do in this version.
Your Love Awakens Me — Phil Wickham | CCLI #7054720 | Album: Children of God
This is a soon-to-be mega hit by Phil Wickham, the one who brought you “This Is Amazing Grace,” currently #1 on the CCLI top 100. Get to know this song. Soon it will be everywhere.
Praise Goes On — Elevation Worship | CCLI #7051503 | Album: Here As In Heaven
If you strip away the electronics and production, you still have a playable, singable fast worship song for your congregation. At its bones, this song is actually very simple. Give it a try on an acoustic guitar and see what happens.
In The River — Jesus Culture | CCLI #7054537 | Album: Let It Echo
This is a fast, playable song from Jesus Culture’s latest project. It promotes a spirit of freedom in Christ. In many churches, it’s not common to see people dancing — or even moving. But this song should get them one step closer. As a worship leader, you have the power to put words in people’s mouths, and words lead to action. Not that dancing is a true gauge of worship, but we want the church to experience God’s freedom to dance if they so wish, and a departure from the fear of man. This song nudges us in that direction.
Lion And The Lamb — Leeland / Bethel | CCLI #7038281 | Album: Have It All
Leeland Mooring has been writing and performing music since he was like 6 months old — okay, an exaggeration — but the late-20s songwriter and recent Bethel implant has done it again with this fast song. This tune is a tour de force, describing the dual nature of God: both conqueror and one who allowed himself to be defeated in order to overcome death.
Our Church — Tim Neufield And The Glory Boys | CCLI #7029120 | Album: The Joy
Okay, you have to use your imagination on this one. The YouTube clip is slow, but we recently did it at 112 BPM and it turned out to be a fantastic fast song. Try it.
Lay Me Down — Chris Tomlin | CCLI #6223577 | Album: Burning Lights
This song is fairly simple even for beginning worship teams. The congregation seems to pick up on it quickly and at my church they naturally clapped along.
This Is Amazing Grace — Phil Wickham | CCLI #6333821 | Album: The Ascension
Phil Wickham’s rendition of this song is a great upbeat version. With a straight rock beat, this song will fit well in your upbeat worship set. It’s got hard hitting, meaningful lyrics delivered with equally powerful musical elements.
Running — Hillsong Worship | CCLI #6177290 | Album: Cornerstone
I’ve worn this one out at my church, but I’m sure there are some worship teams out there that have not picked this one up yet. It’s probably in the top 5 best fast praise songs I’ve come across in the past 10 years.
Relentless — Hillsong United | CCLI #6428743 | Album: Zion
This one worked well as a fast song in our high school group. I haven’t tested it out yet on the older crowd, but it would probably be a good one.
God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion) — Newsboys | CCLI #5675274 | Album: God’s Not Dead
Originally written by Daniel Bashta, I like Newsboys’ upbeat take on this song. Surprisingly, it’s not hard to pull off with your worship team.
Forevermore — Jesus Culture | CCLI #6515010 | Album: Live From New York
Jesus Culture’s hit employs creative dynamic elements like a half-time pre-chorus, anticipatory verses, and an upbeat chorus all wrapped up within an easy and catchy lead guitar riff.
Shout — Chris Tomlin | CCLI #6517984 | Album: Passion 2013
Not Ashamed — Passion | CCLI #6223498 | Album: Passion: White Flag
In Tenderness — Citizens | Album: Citizens
It’s hard to believe, but this is an old hymn masterfully redone by one of today’s cutting edge worship bands.
I’m Going Free (Jailbreak) — Vertical Church Band | CCLI #6561868 | Album: The Rock Won’t Move
Found in You — Vertical Church Band | Album: The Rock Won’t Move
You Brought Me Back to Life — Citizens | Album: You Brought Me Back to Life
I Know — Kings Kaleidoscope | Album: I Know
Build Your Kingdom Here — Rend Collective | CCLI #6186078 | Album: Homemade Worship By Handmade People
This is a great tune that will sound as good with a full band as it does with a single acoustic guitar.
Again, if you have fast songs that work at your church, please share. I’ll add the good ones to the list. Let’s come together and support one another’s ministries.
Fast Worship Song Suggestions from Readers
I thought I’d circle back and add some suggestions for fast worship songs from readers. There has been incredible response to this post and many of you are adding some great song ideas. Here goes.
From the Day — I Am They | Album: I Am They
This is an acoustic-driven upbeat song that would be easy to pull off even with a team of just a few musicians.
We Are Yours — I Am They | Album: I Am They
This song skews a little toward the medium-fast side of the spectrum, but still worth including.
My Beloved — Crowder | CCLI #653824 | Album: Neon Steeple
You really can’t go wrong with Crowder. His lyrics, melodies and themes are always right on. His songs are really doable for any kind of worship team. No banjo required.
My Lighthouse — Rend Collective | CCLI #7002032 | Album: The Art Of Celebration
Another acoustic-driven and fun song that people can really get into.
Today Is The Day — Lincoln Brewster | CCLI #5200924 | Album: Today Is The Day
Besides having a really cool name, Lincoln Brewster has a lot of great upbeat tunes. Here’s a sample.
Endless Praise — Planetshakers | CCLI #6621430 | Album: Endless Praise (Live)
Upbeat: Check. Playable by the average worship team? Not sure. Haven’t tried this one but I’d love to hear whether your worship team has pulled this one off.
The Way — Worship Central | CCLI #7023304
Worship Central is a band-slash-movement that has some impactful songs, fast and slow alike. This song employs a catchy, electronic style while proclaiming the truth that Jesus is The Way.
Let It Be Known — Worship Central | CCLI #6521011 | Album: Let It Be Known (Live)
While we’re talking about Worship Central, here’s another one from this worship organization headed up by Tim Hughes (well known for co-writing the ubiquitous fast worship song “Happy Day”). Don’t be scared off by the electronics in this song. In the video, notice what Mr. Hughes is playing: a good old fashion Gibson acoustic guitar! That means you can pull this one off with a guitar too.
More Reader Suggestions (2017)
Here are more gems left by awesome WorshipDeeper.com readers.
Open Up the Heavens — Vertical Church Band | CCLI #6304702 | Album: Live Worship From Vertical Church
Nothing Is Impossible — Planetshakers | CCLI #5199808 | Album: Nothing Is Impossible
Don’t be intimidated by this Planetshakers tune. At its core, it’s a very simple song. Give it a try.
Greater — MercyMe | CCLI #7020475 | Album: Welcome To The New
This sounds like a really fun one to do. I could see youth groups really getting into it.
Thrive — Casting Crowns | CCLI #7006228 | Album: Thrive
A note from reader Kendra: This one is “moderately upbeat but can be made more upbeat if actually playing it.” If any of you try it out, let everyone know how it goes in the comments below.
You Are Good — Bethel Music | CCLI #5191806 | Album: Be Lifted High
Youth worship musicians have led this at my church and it went over well. This could be a winner in many youth groups as well as adult congregations.
Soul on Fire — Third Day | CCLI #7032679 | Album: Lead Us Back: Songs Of Worship
Every time I hear it on the radio I think “I should introduce that.” So many songs, so few Sundays!
Alive — Jesus Culture | CCLI #6546326 | Album: Let It Echo (Live)
It starts off slow, but this song gets going full throttle. With Kim Walker-Smith at the wheel, you know it’s going to be good.
Symphony of Grace — The Digital Age | Album: Evening:Morning
I’ve never heard of these guys but maybe I’m living under a rock. Anyway, here’s a suggestion from a reader.
Alive — Hillsong Young & Free | CCLI #6605212 | Album: We Are Young And Free (Live)
I’ve been thinking about introducing this one. It seems a bit electronic for my worship team’s capability (and style). However I’d love to hear about how it went over in your church if you’ve done it.
Overflowed — Trevor Hodge | CCLI #5902129 | Album: No Other Name
This one was suggested by WorshipDeeper.com reader Hayden Wilcox. Thanks Hayden!
Rejoice — Dustin Kensrue | Album: Christ Is Risen
A true modern hymn for hipsters. On par with Citizens and Saints stuff, which makes sense since it all came out of Mars Hill. Love this song and artist. Mars Hill, I miss you.
The Love of the Father — CityAlight | Album: Yours Alone
Another suggestion by reader Hayden Wilcox. Hayden is obviously a lot cooler than I am because he has some really cool, more obscure suggestions.
Joy! — Worship Central Australia
Mighty Warrior — Elevation Worship | CCLI #7011449 | Album: Only King Forever
Exalted One — Elevation Worship | CCLI #6024518 | Album: For The Honor
Crazy good song.
Unstoppable God — Elevation Worship | CCLI #7011436 | Album: Wake Up The Wonder
Any worship leader needs to get all of Elevation Worship’s albums right now! They are putting out cutting edge stuff.
Joy Of The Lord — Rend Collective | CCLI #7047091 | Album: As Family We Go
Yet another good upbeat song from Rend Collective.
Open Up The Heavens — Meredith Andrews | CCLI #6304702 | Album: Worth It All
This one is rising up the ranks on CCLI’s top songs list. Great to see a fast song by a female worship leader being widely used. I had a comment that there aren’t many females on the list. Agreed! Women worship leaders: start writing fast songs so I can feature you on my list.
Well, that’s it for now but please keep the suggestions coming. I’ll add the good ones to the list.