Every Fourth of July, Americans gather to do what we do best: eat grilled things, complain about the heat, and stare at colorful explosions set to whatever mix of country songs, Top 40 hits, and vaguely cinematic orchestral swells the local fireworks coordinator found on Spotify.
But what if that playlist had… more Spirit? What if, instead of Katy Perry’s Firework (again), the skies burst open to the bridge of Oceans or the final chorus of Gratitude?
We humbly present: The Ultimate Worship Fireworks Soundtrack. A 100% serious, highly theological ranking of worship songs that would absolutely go so hard under a sky full of glitter and freedom-smoke.
1. “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” — Hillsong UNITED
Perfect for: That moment right before the grand finale.
It starts soft. Reflective. The crowd is calm, maybe checking their phones. Then the build begins. “Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders…” Boom. Boom. Crackle. And by the time TAYA hits that soaring high note? A barrage of gold spark rain and sonic booms make sure everyone in the county feels the conviction.
2. “Gratitude” — Brandon Lake
Perfect for: The slow, emotional sequence with the big sparkler fountains.
A single voice. A guitar. Then the moment when everyone in the field quietly mouths “So I throw up my hands…” and the sky fills with slow-motion white willows? That’s art. That’s revival. That’s pyrotechnic ministry.
3. “RATTLE!” — Elevation Worship
Perfect for: The chaotic middle segment where all the fireworks are a little unhinged.
This is for the moment when the firework operator forgets subtlety and just hits every button at once. “Open the grave, I’m coming out!” matches perfectly with maximum-decibel blast cannons. It’s loud. It’s wild. It’s confusing your grandparents. Praise God.
4. “God of This City” — Chris Tomlin version (obviously)
Perfect for: The patriotic montage segment.
No one really knows why this became a staple of Fourth of July worship sets, but it did. And if your city is going to do a slow-mo video montage of neighborhoods and parks and street murals, it might as well be scored by “Greater things are yet to come…” while blue and red comets shoot overhead.
5. “Battle Belongs” — Phil Wickham
Perfect for: The military tribute moment.
This one’s basically Christian battle music. It’s got drums. It’s got victory. It’s got explosions baked in. Just try hearing “Every fear I lay at Your feet…” without imagining a sky full of thunderous sparkle-bombs. It’s worship, but also war.
6. “Reckless Love” — Cory Asbury
Perfect for: The sentimental finale.
Imagine the music drops to just vocals as the final glitter cascade falls, and the crowd stands in silence (or weeps). “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God…” hits just as the last firework fizzles. Then silence. Then a single child yells, “That was awesome!”
7. “The Blessing” — Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes
Perfect for: Multi-city synchronized fireworks.
“Amen. Amen. Amen.” Repeated 14 times while waves of glitter ripple across the skyline of every American suburb at once. If you don’t feel something by the time the song hits “He is for you” and the sky goes full gold shimmer mode, check your pulse.
Bonus Round: Worship Songs That Should Never Be Used in a Fireworks Show
- “So Will I (100 Billion X)” — Too long. Too many metaphors. You’re halfway through the first verse and the show’s already over.
- “Come Thou Fount” — Beautiful hymn. Deeply moving. But not even the most majestic aerial shell can redeem “Ebenezer” in 2025.
- “Refiner” by Maverick City — Explosions and lyrics like “I wanna be tried by fire” feels a little too on the nose, safety-wise.
So this year, as you watch the night sky erupt in technicolor wonder, just imagine what it would be like if the soundtrack had a little more verticality. Who knows? Maybe next year your church worship leader will score the whole thing.
(Just… maybe leave the fog machine at home.)
