A music video made with excellence can take a good song and make it great… or a great song can become iconic.  Today we live in an era where visuals for music are increasingly more important (especially for social media engagement).  But 19 out of 20 videos produced are somewhere in the fair-okay-good zone… more a publicity tool than anything else – like lyric videos, visualizers, live performances, and the like.  So, we have compiled this list of the really superb concept music videos that stand out as the best of 2023 – and you can watch them all in one place!  (Videos are listed in no particular order.)

“Two Sides” – Gabrielle Grace

This February release has stuck with us all year.  Creating a story around an artist’s reflections on personal grief is not easy to pull off with integrity.  It shows that good storytelling in videos is more valuable than high budgets.

“Kind” – Cory Asbury

In this November release, directors Kaiser Cunningham and Taylor Kelly tell a gripping story of a marriage in crisis, the hope of restoration, and the bitterness of grief.  A lot went into the making of this video, and it’s worth the 7-minute commitment.

“These Are the Days” – Lauren Daigle

One-shot music videos require an incredible amount of timing, energy, and precision.  Given that this is one of the most upbeat and most accessible songs of encouragement in Lauren’s career, this video delivers in every way – packed with fun and joy.

“Losing My Head” – Mike Mains & the Branches

The song is a home run on its own, and the music video just turned it into a grand slam.  Director Mathew Pimental gives us shots in studio, outdoors, and in a vacant laundromat – all with stylized lighting, and fast edits – taking viewers on an emotional ride.

“Color We Bleed” – Drakeford (ft. DJ & Marv)

This March release is an important song and the video pulls us in even deeper.  Sometimes the picture of racial unity is a multicultural group at a rally, protest, or march. I love that videographer Tyler Follon chose a simple backyard fire pit as the key setting.

“Hope” – NF

Many music critics believe this could be the “music video of the year.” It debuted in mid-February, and it generated over 100 reaction videos by vloggers. It is symbolic, cinematic, and has better videography than many Hollywood movies.

“Lead Us Again” – DOE

Have you ever been a part of the planning or leading of a worship service?  In this prayerful song, the color orange takes on spiritual symbolism, and in one scene orange paint covers over a detailed worship service schedule. A+ visual storytelling.

“Daffodil Floors” – Mandi Mapes

This February release is beautifully shot and edited, a pacing that suits the tenderness of the song nicely.  The imagery is masterful in showing us that its never too late to reclaim our childlike innocence and embrace a life of forgiveness and freedom.

“Dreams” – Needtobreathe (ft. Judah & the Lion)

This video is full of joy, friendship, and happy vibes.  Director Gus Black and creative director Sutton Davison create excellent visuals for an all-nighttime shoot on this big anthem which was the closing song of the 2023 “Caves Tour.”

“Only Time Will Tell” – JJ Heller

The genuine personal footage (filmed by Joy Prouty and edited by Dave Heller) of a real-life couple adds an intimate touch that gives the song the incarnational space for this song to have a deeper impact.  An amazing reminder that the best way to spell love is t-i-m-e.

“Detail” – Jonathan McReynolds

Sure, a singer can just stare into a camera and sing a good song.  That works just fine.  But kuddos to this Creedlife production team for deciding to put the song in a courtroom setting and give it a sense of real-life application and deeper emotional connection.

“Deep Magic” – John Mark McMillan

You know the featured musician is a risk-taking artist when you find lyrics like: “Can I hold on to your heart when the gold rush is over and gone?” Lots of compelling and surprising visuals of ordinary life under a looming sky (was that an alien invasion?). Wild!

“Here I Am” – Citizens

This February release is a great example of the video making the song even better.  So much in everyday life is fragile and unstable – and maybe even more so in our spiritual life.  It’s a compelling way to show our eternal quest for connection with the Divine.

“Maestro (Tears Don’t Lie)” – Wilder Woods

This is the oldest release on the list (arrived 1/12/23), and it’s Bear Rinehart’s second appearance here – this time as his solo R&B moniker Wilder Woods.  Director Elliott Eicheldinger creates fun visuals with split screens and a few special effects.

“Vitamin Sea” – Owl City

Owl City is no stranger to making fantastic music videos.  I’m not sure if whose idea it was, but we love how Director Rudy Kovasckitz took a song about longing for a Hawaiian vacation, and shooting the video in a foot of snow and sub-freezing temps.

“Find Your People” – Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors

Directors Noah Tidmore and Bryant Bural shot this one inside a video studio, but still give it a clean, warm feel with living room vibes.  Don’t be surprised if your mind wanders to the people in your life who have helped you find yourself.

“Try Love” – Kirk Franklin

This August release might just get you out of your chair to dance around the room.  Kirk Franklin enters a coffeeshop full of anxious, discouraged, bored faces.  Pipe the music in and watch it transform the room.  It’s a tale as old as the music video itself… and it still works.

“Big Sky, MT” – The Arcadian Wild

While the budget didn’t allow for an on-location shoot in Montana, director Greyson Welch made good use of Hendersonville, TN.  The visuals are sweeping and beautiful – especially the nighttime shots.

What are your thoughts about the list?  Are there any 2023 videos you would add?  Were any of these videos new discoveries for you?