"Do It Again": Chart-Topping Worship Songs and the Churches Behind Them.

This essay examines the impact of the contemporary praise and worship music industry on the songs available to worship leaders. It focuses on the dominance of a few church groups, including Bethel Music, Elevation Worship, Hillsong Worship, and Passion, in contributing a significant number of top songs in this genre. The study analyzes data from the CCLI and PraiseCharts top song lists, which provide insights into the songs used in evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal churches. The authors find that a small number of church bands and artists have a strong influence on the industry, with 95% of the top 25 songs being linked to four church bands. The article also highlights the challenges faced by independent songwriters in gaining recognition in this industry. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms and trends that shape the contemporary praise and worship music landscape. [Extracted from the article]