Fall 2013 Radio Singles

It's officially Fall/Autumn which means its time for all the big names in music to put out their latest hit singles. While many have already previewed their upcoming or recently released albums with summer single releases that are continuing to heat up radio waves through the Fall (Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Newsboys, Building 429, etc. are in this category) there are a couple big names releasing albums this season who have just put out new tunes... and plenty of others looking for a follow-up hit! Check out my favorites below:

1. Steven Curtis Chapman- Love Take Me Over

It is no secret that I love Steven Curtis Chapman and "Love Take Me Over" is a welcome return to the upbeat from a man who has been through many dark days. "Love Take Me Over" should fit right in with past hits like "Live Out Loud", "Miracle of the Moment", "Do Everything", "Lord of the Dance", "King of the Jungle" and "The Great Adventure" that pay homage to pop culture, the daily grind and seeing the Lord working through it all. 

2. Britt Nicole- Ready or Not (ft. Lecrae)

I've been waiting for this song to be sent to radio since Gold was released last March and I am finally get my wish! Look for this track to be all over the Christian Pop radio format for months!

3. Mark Schultz- One Day

I loved that Mark took a chance with the cheeky and upbeat "I Gave Up" as his last single. Sadly radio did not appreciate it (and therefore did not play it) so Mark is back to what he does best: epic ballads with a message. I think this could be a bigger hit than "All Things Possible  if promoted correctly.

4. Chris August- Unashamed of You

FINALLY an upbeat single from Chris August! I love the groove and soul in this song. Chris has the potential to be CCM's answer to Justin Timberlake and this could be the song that takes him down that path. I hope its a hit!

5. Meredith Andrews- Pieces

Meredith wisely follows up her INSPO radio smash ballad "Strong God" (prob my favorite song of the year) with a radio ready mid-tempo pop track that should be more welcome at Adult Contemporary radio. "Strong God", topped the Inspirational Radio charts for months (and is still charting) but barely made a dent at AC. "Pieces" fits right in with the sounds and lyrical themes on AC radio and should help bring her back to that format. Of course INSPO should love this too! 

6. Josh Wilson- Pushing Back the Dark

I thought "Carry Me" would be Josh's BIG breakthrough #1 single/album but it the song stalled at # 10. "Pushing Back the Dark" is actually a better song than "Carry Me" though (and more upbeat) so maybe this will be the song to do it. The message of these lyrics hit home to me the other day- may we never stop fighting against the darkness. Check out this cool acoustic version he made in the car!

7. Kerrie Roberts- What Are You Afraid Of

Poor Kerrie Roberts never even got to release her completed sophomore album through her former record label Reunion, despite the fact that it was finished a year before they let her go. Reunion has this horrible track record of one-and-done artists. (Kerrie joins a long line including Anthem Lights, Josh Bates, Lindsey McCall, Ana Laura, Phil Stacy, and probably soon- Rebecca St. James) However, Reunion was nice enough to release the completed record and allow her to do her own promotion of it independently. This is Kerrie's first indie radio single and its already getting some adds at CHR radio. Hopefully this does well enough to secure her another record deal. This girl has loads of potential!

8.Tenth Avenue North- The Struggle

A great third (and probably final) single from the album of the same name, "The Struggle" perfectly sums up the themes that Tenth Avenue North has sought to teach through their music. We have many struggles in our life but because of Jesus, we don't have to struggle to be accepted by God. His shed blood and resurrection is sufficient to bring us to a right relationship with God the Father- if we only believe on Him. (check out www.salvationtest.org for more information.) Also check out the AMAZING chalk drawn lyric video!

9. Colton Dixon- Never Gone

Colton released this as a buzz track before he released his album A Messenger earlier this year (he has been performing this since his American Idol tour days) but its just now been released to radio. Its already hit #1 on Christian Pop radio and has begun to chart on AC. I predict Sparrow will try to send this to mainstream Hot AC radio at some point. It has mainstream potential despite the fact that its a song clearly about how Jesus will never leave us. Its a message the world needs to hear!

10. Casting Crowns- All You've Ever Wanted

Casting Crowns is back to lay claim their rightful place as rulers of CCM radio with a song that should easily return this super-group to the top. Lyrically, this isn't all too different than any of their past singles (even musically its in the same ballpark) but after reading the press releases, there seems to be a renewed focus and vision within the CC camp this time around- something that seemed to have been lacking with most of their releases since The Altar & The Door (which was easily their best record start to finish and had a wonderfully focused theme) so this is encouraging to say the least- especially since the theme centers on discipleship and spiritual growth.

11. TobyMac- Speak Life

A much better choice for radio than "Steal My Show", and very reminiscent of Toby's past hit "Hold On", this song should easily go #1.

12. Phil Wickham- This is Amazing Grace

The carrier single from Phil's new album The Ascension kicks things off in fine style with a sound more similar to his epic career-best album Heaven & Earth as opposed to the more pedestrian Response. Lyrically though, this is as corporate as they come and I can totally see this song being added to church praise team set lists everywhere.

13. For King and Country- Hope is What We Crave

The plan was that Aussie duo For King & Country release their sophomore album this Fall but the unfortunate illness of Luke Smallbone (1/2 of this brother duo) has postponed the release until 2014. To hold fans over, FK&C has released a live DVD of their amazing live show. As a bonus, they've re-recorded the title track of their debut album Crave and renamed it "Hope is What We Crave" to build interest. This song was somewhat of a bore on the album but I like the remix and hope it does well on radio this Fall. #prayforLuke

14. Point of Grace- Only Jesus

Just when I was about to write off POG as done, they released the best song from their latest record , A Thousand Little Things to Inspirational radio. I really hope radio gives this song a chance because its classic POG and is really the best ballad they've sent to radio in years. I like it even more than their mega-hit "How You Live". Lyrically this is a really honest track that cuts deep. Only Jesus can heal the deep scars of life and this song reminds us of this fact. For some reason the YouTube video to the audio won't post so I included the story behind the song. :)

15. Royal Tailor- Remain/Ready Set Go

I was pretty dismissive of Royal Tailor upon their debut release. Maybe it was because I jumped on the Anthem Lights train early (and they were rival label mates- Reunion could only keep one boyband), maybe it was because their album art was pink and purple but it was called Black & White and that's just silly, maybe it was because the lead singers voice was a bit nasally... I don't know... but now that I go back and listen to the actual music of Royal Tailor, I really like this band! "Hold Me Together" and "Hope" are excellent pop ballads and "Make a Move" is a super fun Maroon5-esque track. RT has released two singles previewing their new album that should push these guys to the front of the class in CCM. "Remain" is as radio-ready as they come with a massive hook and encouraging lyrics while "Ready Set Go" is a great slice on mainstream quality pop that should be a concert favorite. A note to Reunion Records though- get a new graphic designer for these guys- the album art is no good. Thanks :)

16. Love & The Outcome- He is With Us 

It's about time CCM had a new husband and wife duo come and fill in the ranks left vacant by Out of the Grey and Watermark! "He is With Us" is already a top 10 hit so count on these Canadians to be around for the long haul. (cool band name don't you think?!)

17. Nichole Nordeman- Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Look Up)

Nichole's take on this classic hymn is equal parts reverent and modern. Her newly written verses pay homage to the lesser known original hymn stanzas (originally titled "The Heavenly Vision" in older hymn books) while updating the language of the original chorus. This version feels like an abridged version of an old classic and has been heating up the Inspirational Radio ariwaves all summer long. Hopefully AC will take notice too this fall. Radio needs more Nichole Nordeman!

18. Hillsong- Cornerstone

I have been incredibly critical of Hillsong over the years, mainly due to the generic quality of the bulk of their songs but I must say that the new batch of songwriters that have risen through the ranks are doing a much better job of including doctrine, scripture and a more hymn-like structure to their church friendly praise & worship anthems. Their arrangement of the classic hymn "The Solid Rock" is probably the best song to come from the HIllsong factory since "Mighty to Save". Look for this in churches everywhere this Fall!

19. Ryan Stevenson- Holding Nothing Back

Ryan Stevenson is one hit away from being the Owl City of CCM. I hope this is the song!

20. Laura Story- I Can Just Be Me

This is the lead single from Laura's  new album God of Every Story which is the follow-up to her watershed release Blessings. The title song of that album pretty much revolutionized Christian Radio for a few years so anticipation is at a fever pitch. I would not say that "I Can Just Be Me" is anywhere near as powerful as "Blessings" or her follow-up worship hit "What a Savior" but it should spend quite a few weeks at #1 on INSPO radio and could reach the top of AC with the right push. Here's to hoping there are better singles stored up on the forth-coming CD to match "Blessings".

Bonus Mainstream Single:

Mat Kearney- Sooner or Later

I thought we wouldn't get any more singles from Mat's latest album but here we are. This is probably one of my favorite tracks from Young Love. Mat's that odd artist that completely straddles the fence between CCM and pop. His songs are from a Christian perspective but generally secular in their themes. He's a nice bridge artist between the two if you ask me.