<\/p>\n
A potential duet coming soon?<\/p>\n
Since breaking out into the mainstream in 2022 with his first #1 hit on Billboard\u2019s Hot Christian Songs chart, \u201cGratitude,\u201d Brandon Lake<\/strong><\/a> 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\u2019s been collecting country crossovers at quite a steady rate.<\/p>\n Back in February, the South Carolina native teamed up with Jelly Roll on a re-release of his 2024 single, \u201cHard Fought Hallelujah,\u201d and it\u2019s been nothing short of a smash hit. Beyond scoring a #1 hit on both of Billboard\u2019s religious charts, Hot Christian and Christian Airplay, the track\u2019s success, along with Forrest Frank\u2019s viral smash \u201cYour Way\u2019s Better,\u201d marked the first time two separate Christian songs made Billboard\u2019s all-genre Hot 100 chart for the first time in over a decade<\/strong>.<\/a>\u00a0Additionally, \u201cHard Fought Hallelujah\u201d 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.<\/p>\n It seems like Lake isn\u2019t 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, \u201cMake Heaven Crowded,\u201d the \u201cI Know A Name\u201d singer recently dropped the bombshell that his heavily-rumored duet with Cody Johnson<\/strong><\/a> on his recent single, \u201cWhen A Cowboy Prays,\u201d has been recorded and is coming soon.<\/p>\n Today, Lake added more fuel to the fire in terms of more exploration into country music with a teaser of a brand new song, \u201cThe Jesus I Know Now,\u201d which was co-written with none other than reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and CMA Awards host, Lainey Wilson<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s \u201cSway\u201d and BTS and Halsey\u2019s \u201cBoy With Luv\u201d) \u00a0and Luke Laird (co-writer of Eric Church\u2019s \u201cDrink in My Hand,\u201d Jon Pardi\u2019s \u201cHead Over Boots\u201d and Kenny Chesney\u2019s \u201cAmerican Kids\u201d) after a conversation about they\u2019ve encountered false teachings of the Word throughout their lives.<\/p>\n \u201cBeen loving this new one I wrote with Lainey Wilson, Emily Weisband and Luke Laird after talking about people\u2019s experience getting taught a different Jesus than one we know now.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n As for the song itself, it\u2019s nothing short of a testament to the redeeming power of faith and the forgiveness found in both the Bible and Jesus\u2019 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI was told he was angry<\/strong><\/em> 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.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the Jesus I know now ain\u2019t shaking a fist, ain\u2019t raising a proud
Didn\u2019t 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\u2019d think
I was on the long black train to Hell
Yeah I thought I knew Him
Til I met him for myself\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Yeah, the Jesus I know now ain\u2019t running away from a party crowd
I found a friend
Who hangs with the misfits, less-thans, forgives and forgives again
Can\u2019t believe I was missing out
On the Jesus I know now\u201d
<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n