Introduction by Michael Lytle

For my two brothers and me, growing up in another country made it more difficult to get our hands on much of the music we wanted to listen to. As fans of Christian music, especially the rock, metal, and alternative varieties, we depended on friends and the older brothers of our friends who had access to more music than we did at the time. We would copy their cassettes or CDs onto blank cassettes and hope they did not skip or that we didn’t run out of tape before the last song was over!

I remember one such cassette that I spent a lot of time with in the late 80s and early 90s. On one side was the album In God We Trust by Stryper and on the other side was Wide Eyed Wonder by The Choir. As a young teenager I was drawn to Stryper’s soaring guitar solos and big vocals. Their high energy, pop metal sound was right up my alley.

The Choir on the other hand was this quirky sounding band, with odd time signatures to their songs. One thing that stood out to me right away though was the quality of The Choir’s lyrics. Even as a 14-year-old I could tell that they were digging deeper than most of the music I was listening to at the time. They did not rely on cliches to get their point across. They were also touching on topics that weren’t often explored, at least not in my corner of the music world.

At that point in my life, I had no idea what it was like to have kids, be away from my family for long stretches, or really experience much loss of any kind, but when Steve Hindalong wrote about those things, I could somehow connect with what he was sharing.

For the next decade or so The Choir was on my music radar, but never at the center. To use a more modern analogy, they would not have made it on the top 5 of my Spotify Wrapped! Fast forward to the late 90s as I was finishing college and starting my “adult” life I noticed that while other artists and bands would come and go, I kept coming back to The Choir’s music. At some point in the early 2000s as I was now married and my first child was born, I realized they were my favorite band.

There is something timeless about their music, and something honest, vulnerable, and poetic about their lyrics that resonate with me and have done so for 35 years now.             

About The Choir

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Voices in the Shadows. Back then they were called Youth Choir. Shortly after their debut they changed their name to The Choir. Unlike some of the artists we have featured on our anniversary countdowns, The Choir has released music pretty consistently over the last 40 years. The biggest gap between albums in their career is 5 years. Also, unlike many of their peers, the level of quality in their musical output has remained exceptional.

I would contend their run of albums from 1988’s Chase the Kangaroo to 1996’s Free Flying Soul can’t be topped in the CCM world.

The Choir is Steve Hindalong (drums, percussion, background vocals) and Derri Daugherty (guitars, lead vocals). In a unique arrangement, Steve (the drummer) handles almost all the lyrics and Derri (the singer) writes most of the music. It’s a bold strategy, but it’s definitely paid off for them!

Other key members of the band are Dan Michaels (saxophone, lyricon) and the late Tim Chandler (bass). And we have to give a shout out to Robin Spurs (bass on Wide Eyed Wonder) and Marc Byrd (guitars, vocals, and additional songwriting from 2005-2014) as well.

About this list

To honor one of our favorite bands on their 40^th anniversary, the staff here at REO has created a countdown of their top 40 songs. Our methodology this time was a bit different than on some of our other anniversary countdowns.

First, we had 3 members of our REO team submit their personal top 40 Choir songs list ranked 1-40. Additionally, we had a fourth REO writer submit his own list of favorite songs, although he did not rank them. And, in a first for us, we asked our followers on social media (specifically Twitter/X) to tell us their favorite songs from the band. We took all this data and plugged it into a giant computer to come up with the final list that you see before you today!

We had a few ties along the way, so we went back to Twitter/X to break those ties. For those of you who took the time to send us your favorite songs or vote in our tie breaker polls, THANK YOU! You absolutely had an impact on the final list, and we think it is a better list because of your input. Without further ado, here is the list. We’ve also included a Spotify playlist for your listening pleasure. Let us know what you think in the comments.

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40. The Chicken (1996)

It’s possible The Choir has rocked harder on some other songs, but for my money, “The Chicken” is their best pure rocker. The rhythm section is front and center, with Steve and Tim bringing all the vibes, and the guitars are mid-90’s, alt-rock perfection. (Phill Lytle)

39. Get Gone (2014)

I consider 2014’s Shadow Weaver the best of the band’s newer albums. It was the final album with Marc Byrd (Hammock, Common Children) as a band member. The background vocals provided by Marc’s wife Christine are a great addition to the record and especially to this song. (ML)

38. Weather Girl (1993/94)

There is something wonderfully dark about this song, especially the line “the devil prays for her.” It is one of the many gritty, guitar-riff-driven from Kissers and Killers/Speckled Bird. While all these songs are great, the distortion on this one gives it a wonderfully mysterious quality. (David Lytle)

37. Gripped (1993/94)

She touches grief with her kiss
She saves me so
She saves me so
She brushes true love with thistle
Her garden grows
Her garden grows
Oh, she grips my heart
Anytime she smiles
Anytime she cries
She grips, she grips my heart

36. Merciful Eyes (1990)

Innocent tears
Day of the dancer
Heaven come near
Whisper the answer
Did the dead man arise when she entered the room
Did I smell love decaying and call it perfume
Should a justified man know the grave from the womb

When I turn
From your face
Render mercy and grace
Red blood rain
From the sky
God have merciful eyes
Merciful eyes

35. The Warbler (1996)

I loaned Free Flying Soul to a friend in High School. I thought this was the most perfect album I’d ever heard. He thought it was just strange. Why are there yellow-haired monkeys in the yard? What’s a warbler, anyway? Although there is plenty of strange about this album, these animal songs speak to the most intimate things about a man’s life—love, marriage, children, and the soul. Many warblers (small birds) sing at night. Thus, it symbolizes life in the dead of night—life in a marriage even when all seems lost. It’s a dark, but wonderful way to end a great album. (DL)

34. Bloodshot Eyes (2018)

The birds outside the window
Are singing glorious songs
How badly should I feel because
I can't tell right from wrong?
It's true, I shouldn't be here
And maybe you feel compromised
But you're every bit as beautiful
Through bloodshot eyes

33. Salamander (1996)

Hey, isn't the light okay?
Isn't the day all right?
Well, what if your head won't raise to the sun?
Catch the rain on your tongue

Set your eyes on truth
Surrender your spirit to the wind
Set your heart free

32. Amazing (1993/94)

Kissers and Killers and later Speckled Bird was The Choir’s concession to the grunge movement of the early 90s. The guitars were more aggressive, with more distortion, but the band did not leave behind their trademark melodies. “Amazing” might be the best example of what I have just described and a song that truly lives up to its name. (ML)

31. Fear Only You (1986)

This one goes way back in their discography, but don’t let that fool you. It’s such a fun song. They would mature and grow as musicians and writers, but this song is a showcase for their innate passion. I love the unbridled energy that’s all over this song. The “just go for it” mentality. (PL)

30. Mercy Lives Here (2000)

Flap Your Wings felt like a final whisper from a band who had been making powerfully creative music for the better part of 20 years. That doesn’t mean the album is without its own particular magic. Lyrically, the album is just as strong as ever. The production, on the other hand, is stripped down to the studs. “Mercy Lives Here” captures both of these elements. Beautiful, poetic words coupled with a simple arrangement that only expands in the final minute of the song. (PL)

29. Midnight Sun (2010)

Tim Chandler’s superb bass playing anchor this rocker. The Choir only recorded 2 albums in the 2000s, their least prolific decade. “Midnight Sun” ushered in the 2010s and a new golden age for the band. (ML)

28. So Far Away (1988)

One of the saddest songs in the band’s catalog and one of their best. If you’ve lived long enough then you’ve probably been away from home when something went wrong, (the car wouldn’t start, one of the kids is sick, etc.) In this case it was the pilot light going out and leaving Steve’s wife without heat or hot water. The song perfectly captures the helplessness felt in these situations. Dan Michael’s saxophone is the cherry on the sundae of this great song. (ML)

27. 15 Doors (1985)

The oldest song on our countdown and one of the first Choir songs I ever heard. It is still one of my favorites. I will never not smile when Derri yells out “15 doors” after the second chorus and the guitars kick in. (ML)

26. After All (2012)

A few years ago, this song was included on a popular, alternative music Spotify playlist and is now their most played song on that streaming platform by a pretty big margin. Leigh Nash (of Sixpence) lends her angelic voice to this ballad. For our countdown playlist we went with the single version of the song. (ML)

25. What You Think I Am (2014)

A hard rock groove is the backbone of this song, but when the horns kick in is when the magic really happens. For the playlist we included the reimagined version where Leigh Nash lends her wonderful vocal talents. (ML)

24. Butterfly (1996)

Now I long to show how truly I love you
When you are at home and I am away
The father above is near enough to hold you
Remember me, love, tonight when you pray
You were created to fly
To decorate the blue sky
Show the world your colorful wings my butterfly
Butterfly, you're free

23. Leprechaun (1996)

One of the best pop songs in the band’s catalog. “Leprechaun” is a perfect length for radio, but the lyrics are a bit too weird for this one to become a big hit. I guess some things weren’t meant to be. (ML)

22. Aces Over Eights (2021)

Too many people sleep on The Choir’s more recent stuff. “Aces Over Eights” is a sad song, dealing with the death of long-time bassist, Tim Chandler. The music holds some of that sadness but it’s also surprisingly hopeful. It’s one of the better tracks of their most recent album, Deep Cuts, and it has every element I love about their music. (PL)

21. Grace (1993/94)

This is my favorite song by The Choir. I realize I am in the minority. When we asked our #CCMTwitter friends to list their favorite Choir songs, this one didn’t make an appearance. That sort of bummed me out but it also made my love for it feel a little more special. I see the delicate beauty of this song in a way that it seems most people don’t. The lyrics are brutally honest, and the subtly aggressive music perfectly complements the inherent brokenness in each word. (PL)

20. The Soul of Every Creature Cries Out (2014)

Into our lungs we drew sweet breath
And the first thing we all knew
We were choking
Sometimes we laugh
In the face of death
But when we cry for mercy
Nobody's joking

The prayers of every child
Rise on the winds of tomorrow
The tears of every woman
Fall on the feet of the Man of sorrows
The soul of every creature cries out
The heart of humanity moans
Somebody in here won't
Leave me alone

19. Yellow Skies (1993/94)

My favorite album by The Choir is Speckled Bird. I love the sound. It’s a little messy, with lots of distortion and droning noise. As a fan of aesthetically beautiful and crisp sounding music, those sorts of things would usually bother me. For some reason they don’t on Speckled Bird. “Yellow Skies” is a great example of what I’m referring to. Had it appeared on a different album, it might have lost some of its edge and grit. (Obviously, it appeared on Kissers and Killers first, but that is essentially the same album with a few less songs.) Instead, on this masterpiece of an album, it’s layered with a little bit of chaos and imperfection. And I love it. (PL)

18. Beautiful Scandalous Night (2000)

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner, sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flows
For you and for me and for all

At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood
And forever washed white
On that beautiful scandalous night

Probably the most famous song the band has ever written and recorded. This one has been covered by a wide variety of artists and been sung in churches all over the world. On our playlist we included the official Choir version from 2000’s Flap Your Wings, but we decided to close out the playlist with the original version from 1992’s At the Foot of the Cross worship album. (ML)

17. Love Your Mind (1993/94)

This one is all about the vibe for me. I love the droning guitars, I love the way this song builds, and as always, the lyrics are top notch. (ML)

16. Consider (1988)

Consider one small child
Consider your cross
Consider the hope that withers like a flower
Consider my loss
Consider the fire
Consider the night
Consider the truth
Consider the light, my love
Consider your heart

15. O How the Mighty Have Fallen (2005)

I had nearly given up on The Choir after their 2000 release, Flap Your Wings, and the subsequent 5-year hiatus. But then O How the Might Have Fallen landed in 2005 and it was very clear they still had a lot of great music left to create. This song is one of the most sonically complex and layered songs in their discography, with shimmering and cascading guitars by Derri and Marc Byrd. Byrd also handled production, giving the album a crystal clear and wide-open sound. (PL)

14. Speckled Bird (1994)

The story goes that while recording this seminal album, Steve Hindalong remarked to Derri, “We’re probably gonna have to break up the band after this. My wife said I have to stop writing songs about our relationship.” We are eternally grateful the band did not break up after this. (PL)

13. When She Sees Me (1989)

When I first heard this song, I was a long way from becoming a dad. Even so, it filled me with a profound appreciation for fatherhood. Now that I am a proud father of three amazing children, the joy of this song has become my reality. (PL)

12. Wide Eyed Wonder (1989)

The Choir have quite a few songs about their children at various ages and stages of life. This bedtime lullaby is one of the first and remains one of their best. I especially love the second verse where Steve and Derri alternate lead vocals. And as an added bonus this is one of the only Choir songs that features the harmonica. (ML)

11. Never More True (1994)

Steve Hindalong appears to be trying to work out his frustrations with his drumming on this one and I am here for it! Additionally, the lyrics use humor to perfectly capture the strain of a cross-country move. (ML)

10. To Cover You (1989)

Wide Eyed Wonder was recorded after the birth of Steve Hindalong’s first child. Having a baby girl put him in a sentimental mood and this is reflected in the lyrics of many of the songs on this album. I’ve read that he was somewhat embarrassed by some of what he wrote for this record, but he has no reason to be – these songs are great! Any song that begins with the lines “Set my guitar on fire with a long-stemmed match, dance while it burns and laugh when it turns to ash” gets high marks from me. (ML)

9. Circle Slide (1990)

In seven minutes and 23 seconds of moody and atmospheric reverie, “Circle Slide” smoothly sidles its way into our Top 10. It’s a simple song for the most part, but the band loads it with shimmering guitars, gorgeous Lyricon and saxophone flourishes, and a bass-line backbone on which to hang everything else. “Circle Slide” is a song that works its charms over time with repeated listens. Soak it up and “ride the circle slide” with us. (PL)

8. The Time Has Come (2018)

A late career triumph for the band. It isn’t often that an artist records one of their best songs ever nearly 35 years into their career. The Choir did it though with the closing song on 2018’s Bloodshot. The guitars on this one are next level. Three of the contributors to this article had the privilege of attending The Prayer Chain’s reunion concert in 2019. The Choir played a set before the headliners took the stage. This song was incredible live, and as much as I love The Prayer Chain, it may have been the highlight of the entire evening. (ML)

7. The Ocean (1996)

“The Ocean” is an expansive and beautiful statement about the Church universal. A worship song, if you will. In some ways, it inspired a poem I wrote a few years back. The band wisely included Jenny Gullen, of the band Hoi Polloi, to sing for this track. Her voice adds another layer of beauty to a song already bursting with sublime creativity. I’ve long contended that if all worship music sounded like this, I would listen to it much more often. (PL)

6. A Sentimental Song (1990)

This is a timeless song. I don’t have anything profound to write about it except to say I never tire of it. It’s about as perfect of a song The Choir ever performed. (PL)

5. Chase the Kangaroo (1988)

This song somehow uses Bugs Bunny digging down to China as a picture for digging for spiritual treasures. If you haven’t heard it, I hope I piqued your attention with the Bugs Bunny line. This could be the choir’s most epic song, and epic songs are the best. It’s got a wonderful mid-80s new-wave sound, but unlike most songs of that style, it doesn’t stay stagnant. It grows and builds into a truly great song, the only truly great song I’ve ever heard about Australian wildlife. (DL)

4. To Bid Farewell (1989)

If I were in a band and I was performing the final concert of my career, I would want to close out my time on the stage with this song. It’s bittersweet, melancholy heaven. I would argue that Derri’s guitar work never sounded so sad and lovely. (PL)

3. Sad Face (1988)

Ecclesiastes 7:3 is not a verse most CCM artists would use as a springboard for a song. Then again, The Choir is NOT most CCM artists. Written in the aftermath of a miscarriage experienced by drummer Steve Hindalong and his wife Nancy. The song explores the joy of finding out you are expecting a child that can unexpectedly turn to sorrow when the child is lost. They communicated this experience without minimizing the pain or resorting to platitudes. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Derri’s chiming guitars, Tim’s steady bass, and Steve’s slightly off kilter drumming make the melody immediately memorable. All-time great song from and all-time great artist. (ML)

2. Restore My Soul (1990)

I had this song higher on my list than anyone else. I am a sucker for songs with big open drum sound. On top of this, the bass is funky, and the rest of the music is weird and chaotic. Then there are the words. It is a prayer that we all need to pray when we are laid low by our own sins. (DL)

Editor’s Note: Of all the songs on our list, “Restore My Soul” was aided most by the voters on social media. This was included in more lists than any other song which bumped it up several spots on our final rankings.

1. About Love (1990)

Musically this is a perfect pop/rock song. Lyrically it captures what The Choir is all about as good as anything in their catalog. Their songs were not always explicitly about faith, but their beliefs shaped their lyrics regardless of the theme of each song. On our playlist we are opening with “Tear for Tear” since it is a perfect intro to “About Love” and I really view them as one song. My words fail to adequately express how great this song is so we will just quote some of the lyrics. (ML)

Sorry to call so late
The planet turned four times
You're on my mind but you're nowhere
In my world
Please, kiss the little bird
God bless the cozy cage we share
You kill me
You thrill me
You threaten my dreams, girl

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There you have it. Our top 40 songs from The Choir. Let us know how you would rank them and which ones we left out. As always, thanks for reading and enjoy the playlist!