Every year, I like to put together a playlist of 10 songs that were my soundtrack for the year. In 2023, my most meaningful songs were:
Everything There Is to Know – Martin Smith
Desert Rose – Wheels of Glory!
The Lord is Faithful – Hide ’em in Your Heart
Doubly Good to You – Rich Mullins
Or the YouTube playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkisaPswv51__vSRLoaFj7JiAU_xOJBL&si=XNyVP1KFEy4EBPdP
Here’s a little bit about each one…
Joy – Martin Smith
This was the theme of my year, the reality of my year. God decided to drop joy on me in the spring, and let’s just say nothing has ever been the same. (That’s not to say I was joyful because the year was easy… more on that later.)
Psalm 63 – Jeremy Riddle
I’ve loved Jeremy’s music for many years. But when I heard the name of his most recent album, I decided I was very good without it. “Prayer room music” is too often vibraharps and a consistency of style and energy that makes me go crazy after about two songs. But a friend sent me this track, and I’m so glad I overcame my prejudice. It’s a beautiful album all through, and this is especially good.
The Wild Ones – Rachel Lampa
I’m surprised this one didn’t come out as my “most-listen-to-track” on Spotify this year. With the release of walkingwildandfree.com this year, it’s especially meaningful.
Jacob’s Ladder – Leeland
This is another favorite track from a great album. To be honest, I can’t tell you why I love the song; it’s just a catchy tune with some quality vocals.
Your Nature – Kari Jobe
From the first time I heard this as part of a worship playlist in the spring, it jumped high up on my, “I don’t know why I love this song, but it’s amazing!” list. It always makes me think of Grand Teton National Park, because I happened to be listening to the song while writing about the park in the early summer.
Everything There Is to Know – Martin Smith
One of the things God has been teaching me this year is what I look like through His eyes. This song reminds me of the truth and has been a very special track to me.
Desert Rose – Wheels of Glory!
Is it fair to put one of your own songs on your tracklist for the year? I wrote this song in the middle of a very tumultuous month (one of those times when your heart is breaking in two even as you know the best decisions that could have been made have been made). So it means a lot to me, even if I’m in the middle of making the track even better…
The Lord is Faithful – Steve Green & Hiden ‘em in Your Heart
A blast from my childhood. The Lord’s faithfulness has been very, very evident this year, and this song has been circling my brain often, especially this fall.
Doubly Good to You – Rich Mulls
Just a track I like, finally available in an official capacity. Fun story: Late one night, I was sitting at my laptop, trying to decide whether the character in the novel I was writing was going to lose her faith entirely or if her faith would grow stronger during a difficult part of the book. I hemmed and hawed mentally, trying to decide her fate. Meanwhile, my sister called me over to listen to a Rich Mullins song that, at the time, had never been published under his name – this song, which was finally released in early 2023. I listened to her YouTube video, ran to my laptop, and dashed off the rest of the chapter where dear Miss Patel grows stronger in her faith in God. I don’t know what it was about the song that made up my mind, but I’m very happy with the results!
Energy – LZ7
This one is simply a good reminder that we don’t have energy for anything but love in our lives!
If there’s a song that’s especially impacted you this year (and it’s clean), please tell me the name in the comments!
