The 10 Best MercyMe Songs of All Time
An American contemporary Christian band from Edmond, Oklahoma, MercyMe gained mainstream recognition in 2001 with their debut album “Almost There,” which peaked at number 37 on the “Billboard” 200 and number 1 on the “Billboard” Christian Albums chart. Their follow-up album, “Spoken For,” was released in 2002 and won a GMA Music Award for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year. In 2006, their album “Coming Up to Breathe” became their first mainstream Top 40 album on the album charts (peaking at No. 26 on the U.S. “Billboard” 200 charts). Worth mentioning is their 2009 album, “The Generous Mr. Lovewell,” which became their highest charting (No. 10) and most successful (GMA Music Award for Rock Album of the Year) album to date. MercyMe has won seven GMA Dove Awards, their first being the 2002 award for Rock Album of the Year. They have also won three American Music Awards out of four nominations, two Billboard Music Awards, one ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award, and one RIAA Certified Gold album for “The Generous Mr. Lovewell.”
10. “Almost Home” (from the “Inhale (exhale)” album – 2021)
Almost Home is the second-last track from MercyMe’s latest 16-track album, Inhale (exhale). The album was released on April 30th, 2021, and is not a concept album. However, it does feature songs that share the theme of returning to God, like “Almost Home” and “Hurry Up and Wait.” The song has a music video, and the first thing you’ll notice while watching the video is the incredible symbolism used. The video stars a man in a spacesuit, symbolizing he’s not from this world — he’s a believer in Christ. The man moves around dishing out astronaut patches (sharing the gospel). We’re also shown the man’s wife, who just passed on. She has a patch, meaning she had received Christ before dying. The video is a metaphor for the man’s journey to get back home, such an excellent way to end the album.
9. “Shake” (from the “Welcome to the New” album – 2014)
MercyMe decided to take us on the fun side of being a Christian. Sometimes you got to loosen up, and this is what this song is all about. People tend to think that Christians are stiff and boring — pompous people who utter words like “Thou Shalt not…” or “You’ll burn in hell if you don’t accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.” But, what is life without fun? Life’s too short. Shake offers an excellent message of encouragement to live it up while you still can — God has got our back!
8. “Homesick” (from the “Almost There” album – 2001
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM98oFIrwQA
As Christians, we all long to go to heaven and never to hell. It’s a place where we have all fantasized about; it’s a place where we’ll be with our loved ones and friends, including God himself. “Homesick” is a song about missing a beloved one who passed away and just wanting to be with them again. It’s a feeling that most of us have felt, and we hope there’s a heaven one day where we’ll all meet up and be together for all eternity. The lyrics say: “… You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times.” These aren’t just simple lyrics — they tell us that we will see our loved ones again if they have gone on to heaven before us, and this is something the Christian and gospel community looks forward to. It’s a message of hope for those who are grieving as well.
7. “Even If” (from the “Lifer” album – 2017)
“Even If” is a modern country/pop song released on March 31st, 2017, and appears as the fifth track of MercyMe’s ninth studio album, “Lifer.” The message in this song is so powerful. The song samples the chorus of the golden bell hymn “It’s Well with My Soul” and fundamentally talks about a list of all the bad things that could happen in life, but God will still be there for us. This song is meant to encourage those struggling through hard times — even the ones that seem the darkest. The song peaked at number 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, where it stayed for three weeks.
6. “Flawless” (from the “Welcome to the New” album – 2014)
The song’s lyrics sum it all, “the cross has made us flawless.” As Christians, we have been forgiven for our sins and redeemed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “Flawless” is a song that encourages believers to put their faith into action by being faithful unto God, regardless of how evil the world may seem. The lyrics say: “… no matter the burns, no matter the bruises, still the truth is, the cross has made you flawless.” These lyrics are powerful. No matter our circumstances in life, God will always be there for us and love us unconditionally.
5. “Happy Dance” (from the “Lifer” album – 2017)
This song is undoubtedly one of the most fun, lighthearted songs on this list. It makes us want to go out and dance! The lyrics say, “it’s okay to cut it loose…” and again, “happy dance…” There is a certain kind of freedom that comes from being a Christian. We have a savior who will never leave us and will always guide us, so we shouldn’t feel any pressure to be perfect all the time. Jesus died on the cross for our sins- he doesn’t expect us to be perfect. It’s okay to cut loose and dance once in a while.
4. “Greater” (from the “Welcome to the New” album – 2014)
Most people are familiar with this song because it is probably one of the band’s most popular songs. It’s a song about God becoming all-powerful– even greater than our greatest enemies. The lyrics say: “…Bring your doubt, bring you shame, bring your hurt…” These lyrics are quite powerful for believers who may be going through many struggles in life today. It lets them know that no matter what they’re going through, God is all-powerful, and he is far greater than anything in this world.
3. “Hurry Up and Wait” (from the “Inhale (Exhale)” album – 2021)
This song is all about how God’s timing is perfect, despite that sometimes it may seem like he isn’t there. We may have to wait a long time for something to happen or for God to answer our prayers. The lyrics say: “Rest your weary head for a moment, Hurry up and wait, Feel the burden lift off your shoulders, Hurry up and wait.” This song is quite powerful because it knows how discouraging it can be to wait on God. All we have to do is trust that he knows what’s best for us and that his timing will always be perfect.
2. “Say I Won’t” (from the “Inhale (Exhale” album – 2021)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. That is the beautiful sentiment of this song by MercyMe. Sometimes during difficult times in life, it’s easy to lose our faith and trust that God can help us through it all. These lyrics are quite powerful because they remind us that there isn’t anything too difficult for God to do. If he can resurrect Jesus from the dead, he can undoubtedly rescue us from the struggles we may face in this world.
1. “I Can Only Imagine” (from the album “Almost There” – 2001)
I Can Only Imagine is easily MercyMe’s most famous song of all time. It speaks about the hope believers have in heaven and how it’s better than anything we could ever imagine. The lyrics say: “What my eyes would see, When Your face is before me, I can only imagine.” These lyrics are powerful because they remind us of heaven and how it will feel to be with God in fullness.
