2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards: Song of the Year Nominees

“This song came from the idea that our joy isn’t dependent on the situations we face in our lives,” shares Josiah Queen, who wrote and recorded his first No. 1, “Can’t Steal My Joy,” with Brandon Lake. “It says in the Bible, ‘The joy of the Lord is our strength.’ A lot of times we read that verse and don’t think about the power we have in joy. All of my life, the enemy has tried to rob me of my joy, but he can’t have something he never gave me.”

“I hope this song would allow you to feel the power of the Lord and take back ground against the enemy,” newcomer Emerson Day says of her fiery debut single, inspired by words her grandmother would repeat to her any time she would feel anxious. “I pray that this would become a fight song for you in your walk; that through this song, you would know and feel the power and authority of our God.”

“Heaven On My Mind” titles TobyMac’s 10th studio album, written and recorded following the death of his oldest son, Truett. The hitmaker later dropped a collaborative version with Forrest Frank that summited the charts. “‘Heaven On My Mind’ is this journey of going from total ashes to crawling to walking to standing up strong. It was me figuring out how to relate to God again, and it led to all these questions, but it also led to this beautiful thing,” Toby shares. “I’ve got a deeper relationship with God than I’ve ever had, because I went through the valley with Him, and I decided I trusted Him.”

“We wrote ‘Left It In The River’ as a declaration of freedom. It’s about what happens when you finally lay it down — the shame, the striving, the weight you were never meant to carry — and you leave it all behind,” Jamie MacDonald explains of her second consecutive chart-topper, which she co-wrote with Colby Wedgeworth and Jonathan Gamble reflecting on her baptism experience. “My prayer is that this song becomes your anthem of joy, renewal and freedom. May it meet you right where you are and remind you of the truth: Who the Son sets free is free indeed!”

“I truly believe God had an incredible design filled with intention behind why this song wasn’t brought forth into the world in the season in which we wrote it. This song was savored and salvaged for a time when my life needed to intersect with it,” Lauren Daigle says of her latest No. 1, which she pulled from her songwriting archives to commemorate the decade that’s passed since the release of her acclaimed full-length debut. “It compels me to believe that from any place, high or low, triumphant or troublesome, praise can live on our lips and in our spirit. I think Paul taught us the extravagant resilience of being content in all things. This song is the reminder of this truth.”

“Make It Well” was written and recorded in conjunction with MercyMe’s new movie, “I Can Only Imagine 2.” “The idea for ‘Make It Well’ actually came from wrestling with the hymn, ‘It Is Well,’ which I have sung all my life. It’s always during tragic times — funerals and moments like that — and I realized during those difficult moments that I’m kind of lying when I say, ‘It is well with my soul,’ because normally it isn’t well with my soul,” shares the group’s Bart Millard. “When you’re in the middle of the struggle, it can be tough to sing that song and really mean it. So I kept thinking if I were to write a song like that, I would change the lyric to ‘make it well.’ So ‘Make It Well’ is for those, like me, who are still in the middle of the struggle — just trying to get by — and who know they are not going to get through it without the help of the Holy Spirit.”

“I believe fear has been holding us down for a long time — many of us, for most of our lives,” Jon Reddick offers of the message behind the first No. 1 of his career. “I believe it’s at the crux of the brokenness of our world, but I also believe that our hope is in Jesus. He helps us not to escape and go around this actual thing called fear; He helps us to move through it. So, my prayer is that fear is not over your family; it’s not over your future; it’s not over your life. Why? Because God is over your life.”

Jeremy Camp introduced full-throttle original “No Survivors” during his performance at last year’s K-LOVE Fan Awards and went on to record an alternate version of the ego check with John Cooper, frontman of multi-Platinum band Skillet. “I wrote this one as one of those prayers I ask God daily,” Camp shares of his latest No. 1 from his album, “Deeper Waters.” “It never gets old performing this one and seeing your reactions. It is my reminder that none of us are alone in the battles.”

“I wrote [this song] for anyone who feels like they’re running on empty or like the weight is just too heavy. The last few years have been incredible, however, I was really running on fumes a few times when I was trying to balance work, life, family, and everything in between… I can get into striving mode as a creative, and it trickles into other areas of my life. Resting in the fact I’m loved by the Creator of the universe is special, though. The song reminds me, with God’s love, there’s nothing I can’t tackle,” Colton Dixon says of his current radio single. “God loves you, and with Him, you are able to overcome anything life throws at you.”

Rich Mullins’ “Awesome God” was one of the first refrains Phil Wickham learned to play on guitar as a young worship leader. Together with Jonathan Smith, Wickham reimagined the CCM classic for his “Song Of The Saints” album. “I can’t believe I get to be a small part of this song’s story,” Wickham says, reflecting on his smash single, which went on to become a record-breaking, multi-week No. 1. “I feel like every generation carries this song in a new way, and I’m honored to bring it to this one. So pumped to give it some new life and continue sharing it with the world.”

“No matter how far you’ve wandered, God is still right there…waiting for you to turn back,” Zach Williams says of the ultimate message behind “Wait For Me,” the 2026 Song of the Year contender from his fourth studio effort, “Jesus Loves.” “He patiently waits to show grace and compassion to us, even as we turn to worldly things instead of Him.” In January, the Arkansas native released a collaborative version of the haunting track with Male Artist of the Year finalist Ben Fuller, who co-wrote the selection. Meanwhile, three-time 2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards nominee Jamie MacDonald provides background vocals on the original recording.

“There are so many stories of God’s faithfulness all throughout Scripture. If you’re still holding onto a promise from God, know that He hasn’t changed His mind, and He’s keeping good on His word! He’s never let me down, and I know He won’t start now,” newcomer Seph Schlueter remarks of the message behind his inaugural Song of the Year contender, which appears on his debut project, “Counting My Blessings.” “Hearing y’all sing this one out has been so fun. We serve a faithful God! He’s still working and moving on your behalf!"