Huge Phil Wickham fanboy! I love the energy in his “openers” but also appreciate his depth lyrically. His ubiquity obviously puts him into comparisons with Tomlin, who I also love, but I think Phil’s lyrics are deeper, and he’s also not just high energy openers as songs like Living Hope and Hymn of Heaven prove, along with his new song Creator.
Wooooow!!!!!!! Thank you David for breaking this down so insightfully. I love Phil and his Music. He has blessed so many people and so many lives have been saved.
I told my husband about the intro to this video because I thought it was funny, but he completely misunderstood and thought I was telling him about a video actually exposing Phil Wickham as an alien 😂
Another thing that makes his most popular songs so accessible is that the melodies live within or right around a one-octave range. So many great modern anthems have huge ranges (octave+fifth or more) that can make it difficult for the average person to sing. But like many of the old hymns, Phil tends to keep his melodies relatively tight, which helps encourage congregational singing. This is Amazing Grace (5th), Great Things (5th), House of the Lord (6th), Living Hope (octave+3rd), Battle Belongs (9th).
Absolutely another great insight! People like to comment on his high tenor range, and that's totally true, but his songs shifted down a whole step or two become instantly more accessible than a lot of other tunes out there. We had so much more we wanted to fit into this video, so appreciate you adding thoughts and insights here in the comments! :)
Not to mention how living Hope and hymn of heaven have the same style throughout same way it waits to build till after the 3rd verse then gets big and repeats the 3rd verse then 2 choruses with a tag at the end
I feel like a lot of music song about god and how we feel about it. Not really singing to god and praising him. It’s more “I” then “ You”. Words mean a lot to why we sing these classics for years.
Can you do some videos about country versions and conversions of worship music? I go to a cowboy church out in Texas and I’d love to be able to play with the band eventually
We've been loving some of the new Cory Asbury album. It's not as congregational, but the way the music is arranged and performed would be a great touch-point for you to check out and see if it inspires you as you re-imagine other worship songs. Let us know what you come up with!
Pretty sure Battle Belongs is 81 BPM, not 102... lol. Loving the teardown of the songs otherwise. I love Phil Wickham's stuff! Theologically solid and musically awesome.
Tbh.. Phil’s version of This Is Amazing grace is super cheesy.. ESPECIALLY that trance saw lead. When he co-wrote that with Jeremy Riddle and Josh Farro (ex lead guitarist to Paramore) I’m sure that lead was supposed to stay on EG. That being said.. yea, it’s a great song, but Phil’s version made it squeaky clean and corporate.
My gosh the sound for house of the lord smacks! I’m a worship drummer. I know nothing about Sunday sounds but play a little bit of keys. Is it too late for me to get started?
![[TH] VCT Pacific Stage 2 - Playoffs Lower Bracket Final // PRX vs DRX](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5HwO1bQyAx4/mqdefault.jpg)
“Please clap on the two and the four.” Amen. 😂
The real important truths get repeated in the comments.
Love Phil songs, so wonderful for worship. From India🇮🇳
Huge Phil Wickham fanboy! I love the energy in his “openers” but also appreciate his depth lyrically. His ubiquity obviously puts him into comparisons with Tomlin, who I also love, but I think Phil’s lyrics are deeper, and he’s also not just high energy openers as songs like Living Hope and Hymn of Heaven prove, along with his new song Creator.
Not sure what I regret more. Not investing in Bitcoin in 2010 or not investing in shares of Phil.
50/50 diversified Wickham/Bitcoin portfolio back then would've been 🚀🌕
You had me worried, glad I stuck around through your intro and watched the full video haha
“The ascension” album is one of the best christian albums in the last 20 years🙌🏻 Phil is a man of God🙏🏻
You should also check out the Gettys! Their music is among the most biblically sound and God-centered music among CCM!
Great break down of Phil Wickham’s songs! Hopefully you get the chance to do a collaboration with Phil.
Wooooow!!!!!!! Thank you David for breaking this down so insightfully. I love Phil and his Music. He has blessed so many people and so many lives have been saved.
Glad you enjoyed the video! We had a blast researching it and agree, Phil is awesome! :)
Thanks for your P&W songs analysis of Phil Wickham for church musicians to understand his style of music, playing and singing for the glory of God.
I told my husband about the intro to this video because I thought it was funny, but he completely misunderstood and thought I was telling him about a video actually exposing Phil Wickham as an alien 😂
Great video! Thumbnail is 😂😂!👌
Very insightful! Thank you, I love Phil’s music and have been trying to write my own songs for a while, thank you for the insight!
Best worship artist out hands down
Definitely the goat.
Another thing that makes his most popular songs so accessible is that the melodies live within or right around a one-octave range. So many great modern anthems have huge ranges (octave+fifth or more) that can make it difficult for the average person to sing. But like many of the old hymns, Phil tends to keep his melodies relatively tight, which helps encourage congregational singing. This is Amazing Grace (5th), Great Things (5th), House of the Lord (6th), Living Hope (octave+3rd), Battle Belongs (9th).
Absolutely another great insight!
People like to comment on his high tenor range, and that's totally true, but his songs shifted down a whole step or two become instantly more accessible than a lot of other tunes out there.
We had so much more we wanted to fit into this video, so appreciate you adding thoughts and insights here in the comments! :)
This is a highly anointed minister ❤
Not to mention how living Hope and hymn of heaven have the same style throughout same way it waits to build till after the 3rd verse then gets big and repeats the 3rd verse then 2 choruses with a tag at the end
I feel like a lot of music song about god and how we feel about it. Not really singing to god and praising him. It’s more “I” then “ You”. Words mean a lot to why we sing these classics for years.
Phil wikcham is gifted
Can you do some videos about country versions and conversions of worship music? I go to a cowboy church out in Texas and I’d love to be able to play with the band eventually
We've been loving some of the new Cory Asbury album. It's not as congregational, but the way the music is arranged and performed would be a great touch-point for you to check out and see if it inspires you as you re-imagine other worship songs. Let us know what you come up with!
clickbait title, lol. PW is a humble, genuine & awesome worship artist who gives all glory, honor & praise to God!
Jeremy Riddle is punching the air right now....
Let’s not forget about Great Things
It is in the video 🎉
No way we could forget about Great Things!
Pretty sure Battle Belongs is 81 BPM, not 102... lol. Loving the teardown of the songs otherwise. I love Phil Wickham's stuff! Theologically solid and musically awesome.
🙃 woops! Our mistake.
Pretty much the exact reasons I don't much care for his songs... 😅 At least not the This Is Amazing Grace remakes lol.
but what about the prequel?! 🙃😂
Tbh.. Phil’s version of This Is Amazing grace is super cheesy.. ESPECIALLY that trance saw lead. When he co-wrote that with Jeremy Riddle and Josh Farro (ex lead guitarist to Paramore) I’m sure that lead was supposed to stay on EG. That being said.. yea, it’s a great song, but Phil’s version made it squeaky clean and corporate.
@SundaySounds if u can’t say anything nice don’t say anything
We say lots of nice things in this video 😅
Bro is literally cranking out songs everyday and uses the same 4,5,6,3,1 and gets away with is EVERY TIME
We'd feel bamboozled if it didn't work so well!
So you're telling me a good Christian song writer must be sent by Alien or an AI programme? This is laughable
Me 23 minutes in thinking is this click bait? Bruh just wasted my time
I love God and play keys on my worship team. But phil is like chris tomlin, bland and overrated.
Time to argue in the comments! 😂😂😂
Nah really though, to each their own. Thankfully there’s tons of choices for worship music out there :)
My gosh the sound for house of the lord smacks! I’m a worship drummer. I know nothing about Sunday sounds but play a little bit of keys. Is it too late for me to get started?
never too late. just ask God's for his will first.
reach out to us on our website if you have questions, we'd be glad to help :)