Hard Fought Hallelujah

"Hard Fought Hallelujah"
Single by Brandon Lake
from the album King of Hearts
ReleasedNovember 8, 2024
Genre
Length5:16
LabelProvident Music Group
Songwriters
ProducerMicah Nichols
Brandon Lake singles chronology
"That's Who I Praise"
(2024) 		"Hard Fought Hallelujah"
(2024) 		"Can't Steal My Joy"
(2025)
Remix cover
Jelly Roll remix cover
Jelly Roll singles chronology
"Losers"
(2025) 		"Hard Fought Hallelujah"
(2025) 		"Heart of Stone"
(2025)

"Hard Fought Hallelujah" is a song by Brandon Lake, an American Christian contemporary singer and musician. The song was released on Provident on November 8, 2024.[2] With 7 million US streams and 13,000 US sales, the song debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Digital Songs chart. It was No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart for a total of 34 weeks,[3] making it one of the top Christian music song debuts of 2024. The song was written by Lake, Steven Furtick, Benjamin Hastings, Rodrick Simmons, Jelly Roll, and Chris Brown. It was produced by Micah Nichols and mixed by Vance Powell.[4]

On December 6, 2024, a "heavyweight edition" was released featuring five additional versions of the song. A remix with singer-songwriter Jelly Roll was released on February 7, 2025.[5] On April 16, 2025, a "gospel remix" of the song was released.[6]

In June 2025, the song was certified platinum by the Record Industry Association of America.[7]

Background

Lake said the song is "about the battles we face, the grit throughout the fight for faith and the praise that comes after". Also this comes from a testimony that he passed through that inspired him to make this song.[8]

Composition and lyrics

"Hard Fought Hallelujah" blends elements of Contemporary Christian music and country music, pairing arena-scale dynamics with swelling orchestral strings and an electric-guitar-driven hook; critics noted the "cinematic" feel and the grit in Lake's and Jelly Roll's vocals on the duet version.[9] Lyrically, the song frames perseverance in worship, with imagery of a "hard-fought hallelujah" offered from seasons of struggle; Lake described the collaboration as "country grit and soul with a positive message wrapped in struggle," adding that he sought a partner who had "really lived the lyrics."[10] Ahead of the duet's release, Billboard characterized the pairing as a "soulful, rock-fueled" take on Lake's hit and reported the official drop date of February 7, 2025.[11]

Accolades

At the 2025 K-Love Fan Awards, "Hard Fought Hallelujah" was awarded song of the year.[12]

Year Organization Category Result Ref.
2025 K-Love Fan Awards Song of the Year Won [12]
2025 GMA Dove Awards Song of the Year Won [13]
Short Form Music Video of the Year Won [14]
Blugrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year Won [15]
CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year Nominated [16]
We Love Awards Song of the Year Pending [17]
Contemporary Song of the Year Pending
Mainstream Impact Award Pending
2026 Grammy Awards Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Won [18]
Year-end lists
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Jesus Freak Hideout Alex Caldwell's Song Picks 7 [19]
Air1 Air1 Unwrapped 2025 2 [20]
K-Love 25 Songs That Defined 2025 Unordered [21]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Hard Fought Hallelujah"
Micah Nichols5:16
Total length:5:16

All lyrics are written by Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Jelly Roll, Benjamin Hastings, Chris Brown, Rodrick Simmons, and produced by Micah Nichols.

Heavyweight edition
No.TitleLength
1."Hard Fought Hallelujah"5:16
2."Hard Fought Halleujah" (live)5:43
3."Hard Fought Hallelujah" (acoustic)5:10
4."Hard Fought Hallelujah" (original demo)5:11
5."Hard Fought Hallelujah" (radio)4:16
6."Hard Fought Hallelujah" (instrumental)5:16

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Hard Fought Hallelujah"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[42] Platinum 1,000,000‡
United States (RIAA)[43]
Remix 		Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b Maxim Mower (February 6, 2025). "'Hard Fought Hallelujah' by Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll – Lyrics & Meaning". Holler. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  2. ^ Hard Fought Hallelujah, November 8, 2024, retrieved November 20, 2024
  3. ^ Zellner, Xander (November 19, 2024). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Brandon Lake Arrives With Viral Hit 'Hard Fought Hallelujah'". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  4. ^ Witt, Jason. "Brandon Lake Battles Hard Times With Powerful New Single, 'Hard Fought Hallelujah'". Air1 Worship Music. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  5. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (February 7, 2025). "Jelly Roll & Brandon Lake Release Collaborative Version of 'Hard Fought Hallelujah': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  6. ^ "'Hard Fought Hallelujah (Gospel Version)' – Spotify Singles (feat. The Choir Room)". Spotify. April 16, 2025. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  7. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (June 20, 2025). "Jelly Roll & Brandon Lake's 'Hard Fought Hallelujah' Collab Certified Platinum". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  8. ^ "Hard Fought Hallelujah". Songfacts. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  9. ^ Mower, Maxim (February 6, 2025). "'Hard Fought Hallelujah' by Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll – lyrics & meaning". Holler. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  10. ^ Watts, Cindy (June 28, 2025). ""He Didn't Know Who I Was": Brandon Lake Shares the Story Behind "Hard Fought Hallelujah," and Living the Lyrics With Jelly Roll (Exclusive)". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  11. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (January 21, 2025). "Jelly Roll & Christian Artist Brandon Lake Tease New Version of 'Hard Fought Hallelujah'". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Nicholson, Jessica (May 30, 2025). "Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans & More Among 2025 K-LOVE Fan Awards Winners: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  13. ^ @gmadoveawards; (July 30, 2025). "Congratulations to the 56th #DoveAwards nominees for Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance):". Retrieved July 30, 2025 – via Instagram.
  14. ^ @gmadoveawards; (July 30, 2025). "Congratulations to the 56th #DoveAwards nominees for Song of the Year, presented by MultiTracks.com:". Retrieved July 30, 2025 – via Instagram.
  15. ^ @gmadoveawards; (July 30, 2025). "Congratulations to the 56th #DoveAwards nominees for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year:". Retrieved July 30, 2025 – via Instagram.
  16. ^ Clarks, Jessie (September 9, 2025). "Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll's "Hard Fought Hallelujah" Nominated For CMA Award". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  17. ^ "We Love Christian Music Awards - Nominees". We Love Awards. New Release Today. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. ^ Atkinson, Katie (February 1, 2026). "Here Are the 2026 Grammys Winners: Full List (Updating Live)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  19. ^ Dickens, Evan; Balogh, Josh; Tremaine, Chase; Fryberger, Scott (December 30, 2025). "2025 Staff Picks". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  20. ^ Williams, Lindsay (December 29, 2025). "Air1 Unwrapped 2025". Air1. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  21. ^ Williams, Lindsay (December 29, 2025). "25 Songs That Defined 2025". K-Love. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  22. ^ "This Week on TCM – Your Overview". Today's Christian Music Countdown. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  23. ^ "Canada Country: Week of December 13, 2025". Billboard Canada. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  24. ^ "Brandon Lake Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  25. ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Official Aotearoa Music Charts. Recorded Music NZ. November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  26. ^ "Chross Rhythms Top 10". Cross Rhythms. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  27. ^ "Brandon Lake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  28. ^ "Brandon Lake Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  29. ^ "Brandon Lake Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  30. ^ "Brandon Lake Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  31. ^ "Brandon Lake Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  32. ^ "Brandon Lake Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  33. ^ "Brandon Lake Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  34. ^ "TCM - TCM Celebrates 27 Years of Charting Australia's Christian..." Woodlands Media/Today's Christian Music Countdown (TCM). January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 2, 2026 – via Facebook.
  35. ^ "Cross Rhythms Annual Chart". Cross Rhythms. January 1, 2026. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  36. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  37. ^ "Christian AC Airplay Songs". Billboard. December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  38. ^ "Christian Airplay Songs". Billboard. December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  39. ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 3, 2025). "Brandon Lake & CeCe Winans Shine on Christian & Gospel Year-End Charts: Countdown to Billboard's 2025 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  40. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  41. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  42. ^ "American single certifications – Brandon Lake – Hard Fought Hallelujah". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  43. ^ "American single certifications – Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll – Hard Fought Hallelujah". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
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