The nine nominated tracks up for Song of the Year comprise the biggest showing of singles this category has ever seen. From faith-affirming pop anthems to moments of thankfulness to reminders of who we are in light of God’s unreserved love, the 2023 nominees reveal a diverse group of hits that played a vital role in the life of Christian music over the past 12 months. The coveted category showcases selections from veterans and newcomers alike, proving Christian artists have the ability to both achieve longevity and break through. Fans get the final say as to which song will be crowned the 2023 winner.
Hosted by CAIN, the 10th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards will air exclusively on TBN Friday, June 2, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT.
Cast your vote for Song of the Year now.
“Build A Boat,” Colton Dixon (feat. Gabby Barrett)
Ascending to the top of three different Christian charts and becoming the longest-running Mediabase Christian AC No. 1 single of 2022, Colton Dixon’s “Build A Boat” made a splash, breathing fresh wind into the singer/songwriter’s sails. Further elevating an already finely-crafted pop gem, Dixon joined forces with fellow “American Idol” alum Gabby Barrett to reinterpret the surprising chart-topper as a duet.
RELATED CONTENT: Colton Dixon Enlists Country Sweetheart Gabby Barrett for “Build A Boat”
“Don’t Lose Heart,” Steven Curtis Chapman
“Don’t Lose Heart,” the lead single from Steven Curtis Chapman’s latest album, “Still,” made history in February when the acoustic-driven anthem topped the charts, becoming the legendary songwriter’s 50th No. 1 single. The milestone made the icon the first Christian artist ever to see 50 songs reach the summit, admitting him into an elite club that boasts only a few other artists across all genres of music, including Madonna, George Strait and Conway Twitty.
RELATED CONTENT: Steven Curtis Chapman Implores Listeners: “Don’t Lose Heart”
“Fill My Cup,” Andrew Ripp
On the heels of his debut chart-topping single, “Jericho,” Andrew Ripp took “Fill My Cup” to No. 1, making him the first Christian artist to earn two No. 1s entirely independent of a label. The singer/songwriter garnered his first K-LOVE Fan Award nomination in 2021 when he was nominated for Breakout Single of the Year for “Jericho,” which he performed live on the Fan Awards stage.
RELATED CONTENT: Andrew Ripp’s Cup Runneth Over on “Fill My Cup”
“Gratitude,” Brandon Lake
A spirit of gratitude can change a heart, as evidenced by Brandon Lake’s massive breakout solo single, “Gratitude,” which he penned with Benjamin William Hastings in Hastings’ apartment overlooking the Sydney Opera House. After initially entering the scene as the go-to collaborator and an in-demand co-writer, Lake finally came into his own with “Gratitude,” proving he’s just as steady standing on his own two feet.
RELATED CONTENT: Brandon Lake Encourages Timid Souls to Embrace the Authenticity of Thanksgiving in “Gratitude”
“Hymn of Heaven,” Phil Wickham
The third consecutive No. 1 to come from Phil Wickham’s 2021 LP, title-cut “Hymn of Heaven” rose to the top of the charts buoyed by predecessors “Battle Belongs” and “House of the Lord.” The modern-day hymn earned the SoCal native a GMA Dove Award for Worship Recorded Song of the Year and became the namesake of Wickham’s biggest tour to date.
RELATED CONTENT: Phil Wickham Brings A Glimpse of Eternity to Earth With “Hymn of Heaven”
“I’m So Blessed,” CAIN
Launched as the fourth single from CAIN’s debut album, “I’m So Blessed” initially became a viral hit before it officially released to radio. When band member Logan Cain added a spoken-word bridge and coined the “Best Day Remix,” the hooky track found an even larger audience with a refrain tailor-made for TikTok reels and a message that can’t be denied: “On my best day, I’m a child of God. On my worst day, I’m a child of God.”
RELATED CONTENT: CAIN Makes Every Day a Good Day on ‘I’m So Blessed’
“Love Me Like I Am,” for KING & COUNTRY (feat. Jordin Sparks)
“Love Me Like I Am (feat. Jordin Sparks)” gave for KING & COUNTRY their 13th career No. 1 and 8th consecutive chart-topper. Originally found on the duo’s fourth studio set, “What Are We Waiting For?,” the track reminds listeners of the unconditional love of God, despite our missteps, flaws and insecurities.
RELATED CONTENT: for KING & COUNTRY Recruits “American Idol” Alum Jordin Sparks for “Love Me Like I Am”
“Perfectly Loved,” Rachael Lampa (feat. TobyMac)
Rachael Lampa began writing what would eventually become “Perfectly Loved” — her first No. 1 in 22 years — in the shed-turned-creative-space in her backyard. She took her initial lyrics about self-worth to trusted collaborators Andrew Ripp and Ethan Hulse, who championed the song from day one, then asked her longtime friend TobyMac to sing on the track that reminds listeners there’s never been a moment they were not perfectly loved.
RELATED CONTENT: Rachael Lampa Returns to Radio for the First Time in Nearly Two Decades with TobyMac-Assisted “Perfectly Loved”
“The Goodness,” TobyMac (feat. Blessing Offor)
TobyMac penned “The Goodness” after catching glimpses of God’s innate goodness following the tragic death of his 21-year-old son, Truett. Convinced he might never write another upbeat song again, the hitmaker fashioned the soulful pop selection for 2022’s 15-track, collaboration-heavy “Life After Death.” The unmistakable smash also prominently features newcomer Blessing Offor.
RELATED CONTENT: TobyMac Teams Up With Blessing Offor for Ultimate Summer Single, “The Goodness”
Ready to Vote?
Select your favorite artists, songs, films, books, podcasts and more across 10 fan-voted categories.
