1. Things That I'm Afraid Of - Josh Wilson
Of course I need to start out with a recommendation from Simon. Each and every year he manages to find a few songs that are exactly what I need to hear at that point in time. This year was no exception.
I walked through the valley of shadows
And it scared me half to death
But you're with me everywhere I go
So I won't give up yet
My fears would surely kill me
If I didn't know the truth
The things that I'm afraid of
are afraid of you.
2. The Building - Emily Ann Roberts
This was actually a bi-product of a TikTok find. I saw a tiktok of another song by Emily Ann Roberts (which will show up later on this list), and accidentally added the entire album to my spotify list rather than just that one song. Very happy accident, as I ended up really loving this song. She's got a really pleasant voice, and I love the lyrics.
Full lyrics are here - I tried to find some to quote, but ended up just wanting to quote all of it X-D So you get a link instead.
3. Heaven on Earth - Stars Go Dim
Another song curtesy of Simon. This one spoke to me right away. It's got a very catchy rhythm, and I find myself bobbing along to it whenever I hear it.
4. Hands of the Healer - Brandon Heath
When Simon first sent me this one, my immediate response to hearing the lyrics was, "Why don't you @ me already???".
If we're gonna pray about it
There's no use in worrying
If we're gonna worry about it
Why are we praying?
5. Icon - Askepot the Musical
I haven't been terribly impressed by the new musicals I've seen over the last few years. The music just hasn't been catchy enough for me to even consider going home and checking them out on spotify afterwards. This new adaptation of Cinderella was a very pleasant exception to that rule, and I've been listening to some of the songs ever since. I had a hard time deciding which song to add here, but I think this is the one that works best even without understanding Danish.
6. 8 Dates - Why Am I So Single?
Another TikTok find. Apparently this is a demo for an upcoming musical? I was surprised by how immediately I was hooked ... until I discovered that it was made by the same people who created the music for "SIX!" ... then it all made sense :-P
7. My Why - Matthew West
That squee you heard around the 4th of October was me discovering that Matthew West had put out another album! Limiting myself to just one song was impossible, so you get two!
And when I cross that finish line and my race has been run
May the reasons why I lived my life come down to just this one
To look into my Father’s eyes and hear Him say “Well done”
Yeah
That’s my why
Amy Grant's "Father's Eyes" updated :-D
8. Don't Stop Praying - Matthew West
Don't stop praying
Don't stop calling on Jesus' name
Keep on pounding on Heaven's door
And let your knees wear out the floor
Don't stop believing
’Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father’s hеard every single word you'rе saying
So, don’t stop praying
I pretty much loved every song on it, so even limiting myself to just two was HARD! I also considered "Last Page of the Bible" and "Breakthrough's Coming". He's got an amazing way with words, and always manages to touch me in some way.
Oh, and if you have kids who've recently moved away from home, I'd recommend NOT reading the lyrics to 18 Summers. They even made ME cry!
9. FREE - Alive City
I don't know why I like this one as much as I do. It's REALLY not my usual fare, but somehow just worked.
10. We Didn't Start the Fire - Fall Out Boy
I actually haven't listened much to the original, but I'm strangely taken with this updated version of it. Really does emphasize how crazy the last years have been!
11. Try - Colbie Caillat
The sound of this one reminds me a lot of "Slow Down" by Myla Smith, which Brenda introduced me to quite a few years ago.
12. He Set Her Off - Emily Ann Roberts
The TikTok find mentioned earlier. Emily Ann Roberts have written a LOT of really catchy songs! I also really like "Whole Lotta Little", but ended up picking this one, because the lyrics, "Thought she was fragile like a flower, but she's fragile like bomb!" were just too good to be ignored!
13. One More Song for You - Casting Crowns
Apparently there has to be at least one song by Casting Crowns on these lists :-D This is just a lovely song of worship.
Maybe one more hand in the air saying, "You are holy"
One more shattered heart singing, "You are good"
Maybe one more voice crying out for mercy
One more hungry soul declaring, "You're enough"
14. That's Who I Praise - Brandon Lake
A recommendation from the always lovely Nina :-) Gotta love songs that reference people from the Bible as clearly as this one does.
I wanna dance like David, I want a faith like Paul
I wanna sing like Silas, tearing down those prison walls
I wanna face that fire, it won't burn me though
God's got my back, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego.
Add that to a tune that makes it hard for me to sit still, and you have an instant winner!
15. Take Me to the Beach - Imagine Dragons
Really, really, really not my usual fare, but I adored "Believer" which they put out a few years ago, so Spotify apparently figured I needed to listen to this too. I was hooked from the intro, and the first few lines just solidified it. So on the list it goes!
16. WE PRAY - Coldplay
Okay, so this is a bit funny - a friend of mine sent this to me as an example of why he didn't like Coldplay's new stuff as much as their old songs. I listened to it ... and loved it X-D I know that the lyrics are really basic, but there's something about the constant refrain of "We pray" that really spoke to me. No matter what else happens in my life - I pray.
17. A Bar Song (Tipsy) - Shaboozey
This was played at our work Friday bar back in August sometime, and it's terribly catchy, and catches the bar vibe quite eloquently.
18. Faithfully - TobyMac
According to Spotify Wrapped, this was my most listened to song of 2024 - so I kinda HAD to add it here X-D ... it makes sense though, as Simon sent it to me on January 6th, so I've had all year to fall in love with it! When I forget my way, Simon's really awesome at stopping my spiral and getting me back on track - and more often than not, he finds just the right song to help me do so.
But when my world broke into pieces
You were there faithfully
When I cried out to You, Jesus
You made a way for me
I may never be the same man
But I'm a man who still believes
When I cried out to You, Jesus
You were there faithfully
19. Cinderella Snapped- Jax
I originally discovered Jax on TikTok through her gorgeous song "Like My Father" (seriously, if you haven't read the lyrics - go do so!), and have been keeping up with the new things she's been putting out. I had a hard time deciding whether to add this one or "zombieland", but ended picking this one, because I love alternative takes on fairy tales -- which is why Tale as Old as Time" by Lydia the Bard" was also a strong contender for the list.
20. Here for a Reason - Ashes Remain
One last song recommendation from Simon. Looking back through his recommendations, I think this might have been a new-to-him artist as well, because he recommended different 5 songs in one day! X-D This ended up being my favourite of the lot, but I definitely need to keep an eye out for what else they put out.
21. De brandvarme piger - BVP
No songs from the European Song Contest this year, but I have to add one from the Danish kid version. I usually never keep up with that, but this year a colleague told me that his daughter and niece were taking part of it, so of course I had to see how they did ... and discovered to my surprise, that I actually really loved their entry, and have been listening to it ever since! Unfortunately they didn't win, but personally I thought it was the best submission of the lot.
