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Everything you need to know about the 2026 Country-Christian crossover anthem from Zimmerman and Lake.
- Song Just Believe
- Lyrics“Don't you give up
You got too much
Take it from a broken soul like me
-
I've been a sinner
I've seen the world and I've seen darkness... - Artist(s)Brandon Lake, Bailey Zimmerman
- Released March 13, 2026
- Label Atlantic Records / Warner Records Nashville
- Songwriter(s)Bailey Zimmerman, Brandon Lake, Austin Shawn, Josh Phillips
- Producer(s) Austin Shawn
The Background:
Brandon Lake has been teasing a full-scale foray from the Contemporary Christian Music world into country for months now, ever since he joined forces with Jelly Roll for the viral, Grammy-winning re-release of ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’ in early 2025.
Now, after hosting a country-themed writing camp with the likes of Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Russell Dickerson, Dan + Shay and more, it seems he's readying a full-blown crossover album. The lead single, it seems, is ‘Just Believe’ with Bailey Zimmerman, which dropped after an array of teasers on Friday, March 13th 2026.
It is worth flagging, however, that Zimmerman is listed as the lead artist, which has us wondering if it's taken from his forthcoming project, rather than Lake's. Either way, it's a rousing, soul-stirring anthem, with the duo performing the live debut of their eagerly anticipated collaboration during Lake's 2026 tour-stop in Detroit, Michigan.
The Sound:
Bailey Zimmerman and Brandon Lake set the tone from the outset on ‘Just Believe’, with the track opening with Lake's powerhouse vocals over a pared-down instrumental.
Then, Zimmerman's atmospheric vibrato enters the fray for the first verse, before they team up once again for the rousing, anthemic hook. Their voices sound electric together against the fiery, dramatic backdrop of raging electric guitars and driving drums.
Lake takes the helm for the evocative second verse, with the ‘Gratitude’ singer-songwriter leaning into the charismatic rasp he laces into fan-favourites like ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’. As the song reaches its crescendo, the two artists dial up the intensity once more as they trade lyrics across the galvanising, guitar-fuelled instrumentation.
The Meaning:
One criticism that has been levelled at the Contemporary Christian Music scene in the past is that artists often portray themselves to fans as being pristine and perfect.
Lake, however, makes a concerted effort throughout his discography to emphasise that he is just like everyone else, in that he has to contend with flaws and doubts. He and Zimmerman stress throughout ‘Just Believe’ that they are far from perfect, and that's precisely why they need to rely so heavily on their faith in Jesus.
They utilise a range of Biblical imagery, referencing the fire and brimstone of God's punishment with the clever lyric “brimstone baggage”. Wrath and damnation are not the message of ‘Just Believe’, though, as they stress that no matter how far someone may have strayed and how deep into sin they might be, it's never too late.
Zimmerman and Lake declare that you don't need to worry about a long list of ‘do’s’ and ‘don't’s and complex ideologies - all you need to do is ‘Just Believe’ in God and Jesus.
For the full lyrics to Bailey Zimmerman and Brandon Lake’s ‘Just Believe’, see below:
“Don't you give up
You got too much
Take it from a broken soul like me
-
I've been a sinner
I've seen the world and I've seen darkness
I've been down and brokenhearted
Yeah I've been kicked around
I've been broke
I've had holes in all my jeans
From praying on my knees
Until He pulled me out
-
Just a boy with some brimstone baggage
With some headed for hell kind of habits
If you're breaking
Need some saving
Take a tip from me
-
Don't you give up
You got too much
Left to give
Life to live
So get back on your feet
And trust me I know
I've been down that road
Take it from a broken soul like me
Just believe
-
I've been the rebel
Thought I had something left to prove
Fought with the devil
Done things I wish I didn't do
I felt a fire
Somewhere inside I took a stand
Felt revival
Oh thank the Lord He took a chance
-
On a boy with some brimstone baggage
With some headed for hell kinda habits
If you're breaking
Need some saving
Take a tip from me
-
Don't you give up
You got too much
Left to give
Life to live
So get back on your feet
Trust me I know
I've been down that road
Take it from a broken soul like me
Just believe
-
There's a good thing coming
Your way if you just keep running
When you're breaking
Need some saving
Just believe
There's a good thing coming
Your way if you just keep running
When you're breaking
Need some saving
-
Don't you give up
You got too much
Left to give
Life to live
So get back on your feet
Trust me I know
I've been down that road
Take it from a broken soul like me
Just believe”
For more on Brandon Lake, see below:
