Brandon Lake summited the charts for the first time as a solo act when “Gratitude” spent six weeks at No. 1, propelling the rising star to new heights. Up until that point, Lake had been something of an anomaly, serving often as a featured vocalist on other artists’ acclaimed singles, but never landing a hit that bore his own name as the headliner. While “Gratitude” will forever mark a milestone for the three-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner, Lake was quietly leading worship at Seacoast Church in his current hometown of Charleston, S.C., and writing songs for chart-topping acts long before the arresting worship anthem caught the attention of listeners far and wide.
RELATED CONTENT: Brandon Lake Wins Male Artist of the Year at 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards
Astute music fans likely first noticed Lake’s name when it appeared in the credits for Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s transformative single, “This Is A Move,” a song that peaked the interest of many who were unfamiliar with the long-haired, untamed lyricist from South Carolina. It turns out, Lake is actually the secret weapon behind numerous hits from Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music, Phil Wickham and Cody Carnes, among others. While he’s seemingly at the starting line of a very promising solo career, Lake’s unorthodox professional trajectory undoubtedly launched with his songwriting leading the way. Whether he’s stewarding songs himself, assuming a guest starring role or contributing behind the scenes, here are 10 selections you likely didn’t know Brandon Lake wrote.
“Graves Into Gardens,” Elevation Worship
Many recognize Lake as a featured guest on Elevation Worship’s career-defining hit, “Graves Into Gardens,” from when the collective sent the namesake of their 2020 LP to radio. However, few realize Lake penned the GMA Dove Award-winning smash with Elevation’s Chris Brown, Steven Furtick and Tiffany Hammer. Additionally, the Charleston native released his own version of the epic cut on his full-length debut, “House of Miracles.”
WATCH NOW: "Graves Into Gardens" Live Performance Video
“RATTLE!” Elevation Worship
“RATTLE!” followed swiftly on the heels of “Graves Into Gardens,” charting another No. 1 for Elevation Worship. Lake wrote the explosive follow-up with Steven Furtick and Chris Brown in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The men exchanged voice memos and Zoom calls to craft the song before deciding to record and mix the electric track during rehearsal, rather than live in a studio, in order to complete it in time for its inclusion on the group’s “Graves Into Gardens” album. Lake put his own stamp on it for “House of Miracles,” inviting Tasha Cobbs Leonard to join him on a leaner rendition.
WATCH NOW: "RATTLE!" Live Performance Video
“Too Good To Not Believe,” Brandon Lake, Jenn Johnson
After several successful collaborations with both Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music, Lake tentatively stepped out front to deliver “Too Good To Not Believe.” For many K-LOVE listeners, this was their first introduction to Lake as a solo artist. His powerful radio version featured memorable vocals from Jenn Johnson. However, the prolific lyricist initially recorded an iteration of the single with Cody Carnes, with whom he wrote the selection. Joshua Silverberg and UNITED’s Chris Davenport are also co-writers on the track.
WATCH NOW: "Too Good To Not Believe" Exclusive K-LOVE Performance
“Honey in the Rock,” Brooke Ligertwood
Lake teamed up with Brooke Ligertwood for 2022’s “Honey in the Rock.” The high-profile collaboration hails from Ligertwood’s first solo worship project, “SEVEN.” Together with fellow writer Mitch Wong, Lake and Ligertwood — who share vocals on the song — crafted the swampy duet. Inspired by Psalm 81:16, “Honey in the Rock” proclaims the truth that even in life’s hardest moments, we can still experience sweetness here on Earth because of our hope in Jesus.
WATCH NOW: "Honey In The Rock" Live Performance Video
“Same God,” Elevation Worship
While he isn’t featured on the track, behind the scenes, Lake helped pen Elevation Worship’s “Same God” from the collective’s 2022 GRAMMY®-nominated album, “LION.” The chart-topping song also boasts writing contributions from Steven Furtick, Chris Brown and Pat Barrett. Part prayer, part plea of desperation, the hope-affirming mantra promises that the God of Jacob still makes covenants with His children; the God of Moses still parts seas; the God of David still slays giants; and the God of Mary still births the impossible through us.
WATCH NOW: "Same God" Live Performance Video
“This Is Our God,” Phil Wickham
Phil Wickham’s latest No. 1 hit boasts co-writing credit from Lake, who penned the chart-topping track alongside Wickham, Steven Furtick and Pat Barrett. The triumphant anthem became one of the fastest-rising singles of Wickham’s career to date. “This Is Our God” boasts of the unchanging character of Christ, lays out the foundational truths of our faith and serves as the lead radio offering from Wickham’s highly anticipated album, “I Believe,” arriving Aug. 18, 2023.
WATCH NOW: "This Is Our God" Official Music Video
“Ain’t Nobody,” Cody Carnes
Lake and songwriter Hank Bentley helped Cody Carnes bring his first solo No. 1, “Ain’t Nobody,” to life. Carnes performed the hooky hit — nominated for Breakout Single of the Year — at the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Awards with special guest, country crooner Russell Dickerson. The milestone song leads Carnes’ first live project, “GOD IS GOOD!,” which also includes a special live version of “Too God To Not Believe.” Lake holds additional co-writing credit on three selections from Carnes’ forthcoming LP, “Firm Foundation,” due Aug. 25, 2023.
WATCH NOW: "Ain't Nobody" Official Live Video
“Fear Is Not My Future,” Maverick City Music
While Lake has been a longtime member of Maverick City Music — even winning an unprecedented five GRAMMY® Awards for his contributions to the group’s extensive body of work — “Fear Is Not My Future” is his latest collaboration with the collective. Penned by Lake, Hannah Shackelford, Jonathan Jay and Nicole Hannel, the anthem exalts the power of Christ at work in our lives, looking toward a horizon fueled by breakthrough. Helmed by Chandler Moore and Lake, the song appears on the outfit’s award-winning collaborative album with Kirk Franklin, “Kingdom Book One.”
WATCH NOW: "Fear Is Not My Future" Live Performance Video
“Gratitude,” Brandon Lake
Lake established himself as a voice that could hold his own apart from a major entity with “Gratitude.” The three-time GMA Dove Award winner’s breakout single spent half a dozen weeks at No. 1 and earned the in-demand collaborator K-LOVE Fan Awards for both Worship Song of the Year and Song of the Year in 2023. He wrote the massive hit with Benjamin William Hastings in Hastings’ former apartment overlooking the Sydney Harbour in Australia. Ironically, “Gratitude” — Lake’s first chart-topping single as a solo act — almost missed the cut for his debut, because the singer wasn’t satisfied with the original demo. Multiple iterations later, Lake decided to strip it down and record it in a single take with just his vocal and a guitar, which is the simple, yet spine-tingling version heard on “House of Miracles” today.
WATCH NOW: "Gratitude" Official Music Video
“Praise You Anywhere,” Brandon Lake
Following the swell of “Gratitude,” “Praise You Anywhere” had big shoes to fill. Written by Lake, Hank Bentley, Ben Fielding and Jacob Sooter, the frenetic single is Lake’s latest radio offering. The highly anticipated pop-centric anthem made its debut during a K-LOVE First event and previews Lake’s third label-affiliated project, set to release later this year. The fast-rising artist is sure to give “Praise You Anywhere” the full live treatment when he co-headlines the “Summer Worship Nights” tour with Phil Wickham beginning Aug. 10 and running through Sept. 2, and as he opens select dates for Lauren Daigle on “The Kaleidoscope Tour” this fall.
WATCH NOW: "Praise You Anywhere" Official Music Video
