STOCKI'S FAV 10 SPIRITUAL SONGS OF 2023

I'm always looking for the spiritual in the song, the book, the film. Here are 10 songs in 2023 that had me thinking deep down in my soul.

 

10. FOR YOUR SOUL - JOSH RITTER

Singing this chorus as Ritter’s gig in Belfast’s Mandela Hall was a spiritual buzz…

 

9. SPIRIT - THE KILLERS

In their new collection, Rebel Diamonds, a new track where they seek a touch of the Spirit’s light in a dark world.

 

8. NEEDTOBREATHE - WHEN YOU FORGIVE SOMEONE

NeedToBreathe albums are filled with spiritual options but I particularly liked their take on forgiveness - “Oh, when you forgive someone/You set yourself free”… that’s my take too…

 

7. THE BIRD OF CHRIST - DUKE SPECIAL

Delicate and hymn like…

 

6. DOWN ON YOUR KNEES - GLEN HANSARD 

Heard this early in the year during his Mandela Hall gig and was taken by its exuberant prayerfulness - “Throw your alms to heaven, throw your arms ‘round me”

 

5. WHAT YOU DO - HAYDON SPENCELEY

A driving song of following Jesus to do what we can for the least of these… Fuel for missional action.

 

4. WHEN MY SHIP COMES IN - DOUG GAY

I have sung the chorus of this all across the year, all across the country and beyond - 

Something wild enough to want

something strong enough to trust

something deep enough to love

something free enough to follow after

 

3. BEFORE THE THRONE - CORINNE BAILEY RAE

So glad she ended her prophetic anti-racism record with a haunting Psalm-like piece.

 

2. SOMEDAY - JOSH RITTER

Ritter’s album Spectral Lines was apparently about the loss of his mother. The melancholy is lifted at the last by a song of eschatological hopefulness. 

 

1. THE SWEET SOUND OF HEAVEN - THE ROLLING STONES

Who’d have though The Stones would have had my number 1 spiritual of 2023… Set in the genre of the Spirituals, Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder help the octogenarians to bring heaven to earth in this incarnation romp.