Though you’re much harder pressed to find a great tune about, say, rabbits, eggs and jellybeans, there are plenty of fantastic worship songs, gospel songs and spirituals, as well as mainstream and secular tunes featuring spiritual Easter themes. We’ve rounded up the 50 best Easter songs, gospel songs and spirituals from all genres—some of which may surprise you—to add to your playlist this Lent, Holy Week and beyond.
Best Easter songs
1. Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, “When You Believe”
Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston were long pitted against one another in the media, but as it turned out, the vocal powerhouses were good friends—and together, they delivered an immortal ballad for The Prince of Egypt soundtrack.
2. Carrie Underwood Feat. Vince Gill, “How Great Thou Art”
Carrie Underwood’s soaring vocals shine in this rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” accompanied by Vince Gill.
3. Michelle Williams Feat. Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland, “Say Yes”
It was a mini Destiny’s Child reunion when Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland joined Michelle Williams for this super-catchy gospel number.
4. Lauren Daigle, “Look Up Child”
Lauren Daigle delivers a catchy anthem about hope and finding comfort in faith.
5. Bounce Patrol, “Easter Bunny Bop”
We promise you won’t hate dancing along to this with your little bunnies.
6. Kanye West, “Jesus Walks”
This Kanye West hit features the priceless line, “The way Kathie Lee needed Regis, that’s the way I need Jesus.”
7. Johnny Cash, “How Great Thou Art”
The Man in Black gets extra soulful.
8. Dolly Parton, “He’s Alive”
Dolly Partoncroons a sweet retelling of the resurrection in “He’s Alive.”
9. Lauryn Hill and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit Cast, “Joyful Joyful”
We dare you not to feel joyful listening to this.
10. Whitney Houston, “I Look to You”
Whitney Houston is the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, and she dabbled in her mother’s genre with “I Look to You.” The result? Heavenly.
11. Keith Green, “Easter Song”
This 1970s classic celebrates the rising.
12. The Flaming Lips, “Shine on Sweet Jesus”
Frontman Wayne Coyne’s moving refrain of “Your blankets covered me / Covered me while I was still asleep” may come as a surprise to casual Flaming Lips fans, but the singer’s faith is unwavering.
13. The Fighting Temptations Cast, “He Still Loves Me”
It doesn’t matter how much you’ve sinned or what anyone else says, as Beyoncé and her castmates sing: He’ll still love you.
14. Depeche Mode, “Personal Jesus”
Reach out!
15. Loretta Lynn, “The Old Rugged Cross”
Loretta Lynn makes this classic hymn her own.
16. Chance The Rapper Feat. Jay Electronica & The Lights, “How Great”
Chance The Rapper collaborated with Jay Electronica, a practicing Muslim, on this track praising Jesus.
17. Bing Crosby, “Easter Parade”
Bing Crosby is famous for his Christmas tunes, but his rendition of this springtime Irving Berlin classic is great, too!
18. Kirk Franklin, “Why We Sing”
Kirk Franklin doesn’t need a reason to sing because we’re just happy to hear it—but he’s happy to tell you the reason anyway.
19. Marvin Sapp, “Never Would Have Made It”
Marvin Sapp uses his soulful vocals to credit his faith with getting him through tough times.
20. Patti Smith Group, “Easter”
Patti Smith penned this track from the point of view of French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
21. Newsboys, “We Believe”
“We Believe” is based on the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed.
22. Bruce Springsteen, “Jesus Was An Only Son”
Bruce Springsteensings of Jesus as not just the son of God, but also Mary’s only child. “I felt if I approached the song from the secular side,” Springsteen explained, “the rest would come through.”
23. Mormon Tabernacle Choir, “That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright”
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir brings their beautiful harmonies to this classic Easter hymn.
24. Mel C., “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”
Sporty Spice delivers a moving rendition of the Mary Magdalene signature song from Jesus Christ Superstar.
25. Brad Paisley Feat. Dolly Parton, “When I Get Where I’m Going”
Brad Paisley joins forces with Dolly Parton to sing about heaven.
26. Jeremy Riddle, “All Hail King Jesus”
Jeremy Riddle sings of Jesus’ life after death in this praise song.
27. I Am They, “My Feet Are on the Rock”
A worship song that might inspire you to dance? We’ll take it.
28. MercyMe, “I Can Only Imagine”
MercyMe frontman Bart Millard’s life inspired the movie I Can Only Imagine, in which this song is, naturally, heavily featured.
29. Joan Osborne, “One Of Us”
Joan Osborne wonders what Jesus would be like if he were walking around today.
30. Gene Autry, “Here Comes Peter Cottontail”
Listen to this classic tune with your kids.
31. George Strait, “I Saw God Today”
George Straitsings a beautiful reminder that God is everywhere you look.
32. LANY, “I Still Talk to Jesus”
LANY returns to his spiritual roots in “I Still Talk to Jesus.”
33. For KING & COUNTRY, “Amen”
One of the most popular Christian rock bands today, For KING & COUNTRY had a massive hit with “Amen.”
34. Flyleaf, “All Around Me”
“All Around Me,” about feeling God in everything, was Flyleaf’s biggest mainstream hit.
35. Savage Garden, “I’ll Bet He Was Cool”
This Savage Garden B-side describes a modern-day Jesus Christ as probably liking Jean Paul Gaultier and always smelling amazing, even without cologne.
36. Israel Houghton, “You Are Good”
Try not to smile and dance while listening to this Israel Houghton hit.
37. Elvis Presley, “Peace in the Valley”
Elvis Presleywas deeply inspired by gospel music, and his recording of “Peace in the Valley” serves as a testament to its influence on his vocal stylings throughout his career.
38. Kari Jobe, “Forever”
Kari Jobe holds a note in a way that, frankly, sounds quite divine.
39. Tinseltown Players, “Bunny Hop”
This classic kids’ Easter song will get you all hopping along.
40. North Point InsideOut Feat. Seth Condrey, “Death Was Arrested”
Plenty of artists have recorded and released renditions of “Death Was Arrested,” but North Point InsideOut and Seth Condrey’s is one of the most popular.
41. Nicole C. Mullen, “Redeemer”
Nicole C. Mullen sings of how Jesus Christ literally makes her world go ‘round.
42. Alan Jackson, “In the Garden”
Alan Jackson sings a testament to finding joy and divinity in small moments alone.
43. Cissy Houston, “He/I Believe”
Cissy Houston beautifully jumps between power ballad belting and a gentle lilt in this song.
44. The Hold Steady, “How a Resurrection Really Feels”
The Hold Steady approaches resurrection from a secular view, a dark and heartbreaking tale of a woman named Hallelujah.
45. Roxy Music, “Psalm”
After Brian Eno left Roxy Music, they released “Psalm,” with fitting lyrics to the title, including, “Now belief in Jesus / Is faith more sublime / Head in the clouds / But I can’t see the Lord / Short of perfection / I’ll try to be good / I’ll stand at His gate / I’ll wait for His sign / Then I’ll walk in His garden.”
46. Norman Greenbaum, “Spirit in the Sky”
Re-popularized after being featured in the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” was a mainstream hit in 1970.
47. Anthem Lights, “Easter Medley”
This medley from Anthem Lights combines parts of their resurrection-themed songs “Because He Lives,” “My Redeemer Lives” and “Arise My Love.”
48. Justin Bieber Feat. Chance The Rapper, “Holy”
Though technically a love song, Justin Bieber and Chance The Rapper make it clear that true love is a divine experience indeed.
49. Violent Femmes, “Jesus Walking on the Water”
Though some believed that the Violent Femmes’ “Jesus Walking on the Water” was a sardonic, ironic take on a worship song, they were wrong. Singer Gordon Gano is actually a devout Christian and son of a Baptist reverend.
50. UB40, “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”
The U.K.’s beloved UB40 bring their signature reggae-pop sound to this spiritual. Next, check out these 100 kid-friendly Easter jokes that will get all your little chicks giggling!
