19/07/2025
THIS WEEK ON TCM – YOUR OVERVIEW
Here’s your weekly rundown as we head into another music-packed week.
After 17 weeks on the TCM chart, "Hard Fought Hallelujah" (Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll) has finally clinched the top spot - and what a journey it’s been.
Debuting at #27 back on March 22, the track initially fell off the chart, only to surge back in early April.
It's now notched up 13 weeks in the Top 10, proving that the song has grit, soul, and heart - serious staying power.
Why the resonance?
Two big reasons:
• It nails the reality of faith forged through struggle, with unforgettable lyrics like “I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, been-through-hell hallelujah.”
• It speaks to the doubters, the weary, and the fighters - crossing over well beyond the Christian music space.
Originally launched by Brandon Lake, the track took on new life with Jelly Roll’s remix in February.
His raw, genre-bridging vocals connected with country, rock, and worship fans alike.
Globally, "Hard Fought Hallelujah":
• Debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, holding firm for 20+ weeks.
• Broke into the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #40.
• Topped the Digital Song Sales chart twice.
Co-written with Benjamin Hastings (formerly of Hillsong), the song first gained traction on TikTok, where teaser clips racked up over 10 million views and 35,000+ user creations.
Promotion-wise, "Hard Fought Hallelujah" played all the angles - worship playlists, country radio, pop channels. Churches sang it. Festivals amplified it. Even American Idol featured it live. A total masterclass in genre fusion.
TCM’s FASTEST MOVERS
• “24-7” by Claire Leslie
• “Mama Don’t Lie” by Stars Go Dim
TCM’s LONGEST STAYERS
• “Need to Know” by Joel Vaughn – 27 weeks strong
• “You Never Gave Up On Me” by The Afters – 28 weeks and still hitting fresh
TCM’s NEW ARRIVALS
• “See Your Face” – Vision Of Leo
• “Still” – Crowder
• “Where He Goes” – Youth Alive Music/Ethan Beer
TCM’s AUSSIE HEROES
This week’s homegrown heroes:
• Kate Westwood
• Youth Alive Music/Ethan Beer
TCM SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS
DJ Paine is now posting the TCM Top 30 on Spotify. Stream the latest Christian hits!
He’s shared the July 12 edition arranged in order from #30 to #1, along with two full countdowns of the Top 100 from 2024 and 2023, ranked from #100 to #1. He’ll be adding this week’s and more Top 100s soon.
REMINDER TO VOTE – CMAA’s PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Christian Media & Arts Australia’s People’s Choice Awards are back - giving YOU the chance to vote for your favourite Australian Christian artists!
Voting Categories:
• Artist of the Year
• Song of the Year
• Emerging Artist of the Year
Finalists – Artist of the Year
• Aodhan King
• Darlene Zschech
• John Newsome
• Planetboom
• Taya
Finalists – Song of the Year
• “Did Ya Don’t Worry” – Justin Michael
• “Gonna Be Good” – Taya
• “Praise Belongs” – CXMMXNS/Aodhan King
• “Unsung Hero” – For King & Country
• “Without You” – Aodhan King
Finalists – Emerging Artist of the Year
• Ethan Beer
• Kate Westwood
• Revolution Worship
• Tania G
• Tekoa
Voting closes August 8. Winners announced at the 2025 CMAA Excellence In Media Awards – September 2
Cast your vote here: mediaarts.org.au/peopleschoiceaward
Have a great week ahead! Keep tuning in, keep voting, and keep the music moving hearts.
– The TCM Team
