Brandon Lake’s worship anthem “Gratitude” has surged to the number one position on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart after a heartfelt performance at the memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk. This marks Lake’s second time leading the all-genre sales chart, following his earlier hit “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” The song also climbed to number three on the Christian Streaming Songs chart, with a 39% increase in streams reaching 5.1 million.
Originally released in June 2022 as part of Lake’s album “House of Miracles,” “Gratitude” has become a modern worship staple. The song was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2023 GMA Dove Awards and earned a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was also Billboard’s best-selling Christian song of 2023. Before this recent rise, “Gratitude” had peaked at number 33 on the Digital Song Sales chart.
The resurgence of “Gratitude” followed Lake’s emotional performance on September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. During the memorial, Lake paused mid-song to invite the audience to join in singing the refrain, creating a powerful and memorable moment. This connection with the audience translated into significant sales and streaming increases in the days after the event.
Other worship songs performed at the memorial also saw notable boosts in sales. Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever” re-entered the charts at number two with a dramatic 1,229% increase in sales. Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, and Elevation Worship’s collaboration “The Blessing (Live)” rose to number three with an astonishing 1,731% sales jump. Additionally, Tomlin’s classic “How Great Is Our God” appeared at number ten on the Digital Song Sales chart.
Beyond this event, Brandon Lake continues to be a prominent figure in contemporary Christian music. He has collaborated with artists like Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson and is exploring a blend of country and Christian music. His upcoming duet with Wilson titled “The Jesus I Know Now” is set for release on Good Friday.
Lake’s influence extends beyond recorded music into live performances and television appearances. Missouri singer Hannah Harper recently performed a cover of “Gratitude,” showcasing its impact on artists across genres. Harper is set to appear on American Idol’s special “Songs of Faith” theme night, highlighting the song’s growing reach in popular culture.
Overall, “Gratitude” exemplifies how worship songs about gratitude continue to inspire and unite audiences both in worship settings and through digital platforms. Brandon Lake’s ability to connect personal faith with broader communal experiences ensures that his music remains relevant and deeply moving.
