A potential duet coming soon?
Since breaking out into the mainstream in 2022 with his first #1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, “Gratitude,” Brandon Lake has firmly planted himself as a staple in Christian/worship music genre. As one of the biggest stars in Christian music today, the Texas native has scored major awards within the genre, including but not limited to multiple Grammy awards for his work with Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music as well as over a dozen Dove Awards for his solo work. Recently, however, he’s been collecting country crossovers at quite a steady rate.
Back in February, the South Carolina native teamed up with Jelly Roll on a re-release of his 2024 single, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” and it’s been nothing short of a smash hit. Beyond scoring a #1 hit on both of Billboard’s religious charts, Hot Christian and Christian Airplay, the track’s success, along with Forrest Frank’s viral smash “Your Way’s Better,” marked the first time two separate Christian songs made Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart for the first time in over a decade. Additionally, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” would bring Lake and Jelly Roll home three separate Dove Awards for Song, Short Form Music Video and Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year.
It seems like Lake isn’t done making major crossovers into country, however. In addition to his surprise appearance with Cole Swindell when the pair teamed up to perform his latest single inspired by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, “Make Heaven Crowded,” the “I Know A Name” singer recently dropped the bombshell that his heavily-rumored duet with Cody Johnson on his recent single, “When A Cowboy Prays,” has been recorded and is coming soon.
Today, Lake added more fuel to the fire in terms of more exploration into country music with a teaser of a brand new song, “The Jesus I Know Now,” which was co-written with none other than reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and CMA Awards host, Lainey Wilson.
Taking to Instagram this morning, Lake would share the song and note in the caption that he wrote the song along with Wilson, Emily Weisband (co-writer of Daniel Bradberry’s “Sway” and BTS and Halsey’s “Boy With Luv”) and Luke Laird (co-writer of Eric Church’s “Drink in My Hand,” Jon Pardi’s “Head Over Boots” and Kenny Chesney’s “American Kids”) after a conversation about they’ve encountered false teachings of the Word throughout their lives.
“Been loving this new one I wrote with Lainey Wilson, Emily Weisband and Luke Laird after talking about people’s experience getting taught a different Jesus than one we know now.”
As for the song itself, it’s nothing short of a testament to the redeeming power of faith and the forgiveness found in both the Bible and Jesus’ teachings. Setting the stage in the first verse, Lake lays out the preconceived notions held by many non-believers, remarking how he was always told that Jesus was an angry figure who would cast out any sinners if they walked off the straight in narrow.
“I was told he was angry
Didn’t like the music up too loud
I was told he would save me
If I showed up to Church and I shut my mouth
If I smoke, if I drank, if I cussed I’d think
I was on the long black train to Hell
Yeah I thought I knew Him
Til I met him for myself”
In the chorus, however, Lake contrasts his preconceived notions of His teachings with the reality that Jesus was never one to cast off those who have been led astray, remarking that the Jesus he knows now was seen with all the misfits and outcasts.
“But the Jesus I know now ain’t shaking a fist, ain’t raising a proud
Yeah, the Jesus I know now ain’t running away from a party crowd
I found a friend
Who hangs with the misfits, less-thans, forgives and forgives again
Can’t believe I was missing out
On the Jesus I know now”
Feeling reminiscent in a way to Ashley McBryde and Benjy Davis’ stunning reflection of faith, sin and forgiveness on her 2022 deep cut, “Gospel Night At The Strip Club,” Lake, along with Wilson, Weisband and Laird, touch on the often-forgotten point that some of the most compelling stories present in the Bible revolve around the overwhelming grace and forgiveness displayed by Jesus’ teachings. As Lake notes in the chorus, Jesus was much more concerned about saving those who don’t fall into the stereotypical “Christian” archetype compared to those who present themselves as one of the saved.
Whether he releases it solo or as a duet with Wilson in the future, it looks like Lake has another massive cross-over Christian hit here with “The Jesus I Know Now.”
Listen here:
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