Donnie McClurkin is a name that has become synonymous with Gospel Music. He has had some major hit songs that have made global impact and a few that even crossed over to Urban radio. His most recent impact is being made through new album The Journey (Live). If you have never heard of Donnie McClurkin, let me school you on seven songs that capture the essence of Donnie. 

1. "Speak to My Heart"  
Donnie first released this song in 1991 with the New York Restoration Mass Choir, and again on his debut solo release in 1996. This song has a smooth melodic groove that would grace the song list of youth and mass choirs alike, along with ensembles and even praise and worship teams. The chorus is simple, but potent enough to have a profound effect on the church: "Speak to my heart Lord, give me Your Holy Word / If I can hear from You / Then I'll know what to do...."

2. "Stand" 
This song has gripped so many hearts with the words "After you done all you can, you just stand... Stand!" This is another song that Donnie has done twice. He wrote this song for Ron Winans Family and Friends IV album, which was released in 1994, and rerecorded it on his 1996 solo album. I definitely prefer the live version because it captures the raw emotion and features a wonderful reprise by Donnie's pastor, Marvin Winans Sr. Choirs, know that you have to sing this song with power, and the notes have to be belted out. I have heard him sing this song so many times, and he never sings it "cute" as some would say.  

3. "Create In Me A Clean Heart" 
This may or may not be one of his top songs, but it is definitely one of my favorites by him. Coming from his Donnie McClurkin... Again album (and borrowing from the popular Psalms 51), it features crisp vocals from his super talented aggregation of vocalists. The scripture alone is a powerful prayer, and for it to be done Donnie McClurkin style with a beautiful but somewhat subtle string arrangement, is pretty awesome. 

4. "I'm Walking" 
Donnie loves kids! It is something else to hear and see kids sing praises to God. With "I'm Walking" (from Donnie McClurkin...Again), it is very evident that they are having fun. When Donnie does his best dancehall voice, it takes the song into hyper drive and turns it into an all-out party. Come on and sing it with me, "Get something in your hand / And wave it in the air!" 

5. "Great Is Your Mercy" 
Gospel artists have been taking popular praise and worship songs and giving it a different spin for a long time. Case in point, Don Moen's "Great Is Your Mercy" gets reworked by Donnie on his album Live in London and More. He was gracious to feature his singers Queenie Lennox, Duwane Starling, his sister Andrea McClurkin-Mellini and more. They all nailed it, and it all comes together at the end when Donnie joins them, disguising himself as a bass. 

6. "I Call You Faithful" 
Here is another song that impacted many in a way that had Donnie singing it globally. This song was from his album Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, which would become his second platinum selling album. Mixed and predominantly black Churches ate this one up and had to include it on their praise and worship lists. Many lift their hands, others do the Gospel double clap and others just cry as they proclaim "I call you Faithful / Lord you Are faithful / You have been faithful to me / I call you faithful / Lord you are faithful / Faithful You are / And faithful you'll be / Yeah!" I am becoming pretty emotional while writing this, because this is one of the songs that my dad loved before Alzheimer's hurt his memory. 

7. "We Fall Down" 
Longtime CCM fans remember when Bob Carlisle's version of this song (written by Kyle Matthews) graced radio stations, but this song took on a colossal life of its own when Donnie McClurkin released it as part of Live in London and More. It became a song of redemption for many, and it crossed over to Urban radio, helping to sell over a million copies. Donnie earned a BET Award, Soul Train Award and a Grammy all stemming from this major hit. 


Whether you agree with my list or not, no one can deny the impact that Donnie McClurkin's music and life story has had on Gospel music and fans alike. What seven songs would you include in your list?