“Grrrrr! Why does every Christian song seem to follow the same chord progression with different words?”

At Praise and Worship Forums, I read a post from a fellow Christian songwriter complaining about how it seems that many of the songs that he hears on Christian radio have a similar chord progression and feel (think: Hillsong).

My response:

One of the best lessons I have learned in my songwriting in the last year is:

(1) less is more;

and

(2) go with what works.

These songs are being played on the radio, with similar styles and chord progressions, because – frankly – people like to listen to them.

So, if we want to write corporate worship that affects congregations, then this is the pattern.

If we want to write crazy original songs without familiar structures, then I say great… but if you’re the only one who seems to be responding to your latest, greatest masterpiece and the congregation appears flat, then that song is probably best served at home, with God, you, and your guitar.

What do you think?

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1 Comment

  1. Donald Donald
    March 15, 2013    

    Pls i need a guide on how to follow the progression of any song

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In May, 2005, Rob was a secular, Jewish, thirty-something, Los Angeles, personal injury attorney whose idea of getting up early on a Sunday was getting up for the third quarter of the first televised, NFL games.


Thirsting on the idea of playing in a band for the first time in a decade, Rob finally accepted his neighbor's request to get up at seven-in-the-morning on Sundays in order to participate.


Eleven months later, his world was turned upside down by Jesus. Instantly, he began leading songs on the worship team and was the worship leader from 2010-2022.


Rob is now the worship leader at Calvary Chapel Malibu. He released his fifth album “The Author of My Story” on December 15, 2023, available on all of your favorite streaming platforms… and he is preparing to launch a new Christian teaching podcast called “Christ Supremacist.”

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  1. Just let me know which song(s), and I would be happy to email you a chord sheet!