Skip to main content

Hunter Plake, Dancing In The Courts: Joy in His Presence


'Dancing In The Courts' by Hunter Plake is about the essence of true joy and surrender. It reflects Plake's desire to choose Jesus over everything else, and rejoice in His presence and the promise of an eternal life with Him.

Hunter Plake - Dancing In The CourtsGrowing up in a family of musicians and minsters, Hunter Plake's path to his BEC Recordings debut took a few unexpected detours. As a teen, Plake led worship in his home church, even getting his GED his junior year of high school so he could attend ministry school. But it wasn't until he auditioned for NBC's The Voice that music became a possible career path. 'A friend of mine, Koryn Hawthorne, had just gone to the finale on The Voice. I thought, well, if she can do it,' Plake says with a smile. He ended up placing fifth in his season, opening doors for him to pursue music full-time.

After a few years of recording pop songs, producing and trying to make a go of it in Los Angeles, Plake felt something missing in his life. In June of 2020, his nagging and ever-present sense of emptiness grew into a full-on collpase. 'I hit a breaking point and had a total breakdown,' Plake says. 'I hit the end of myself.' In crisis mode, Plake turned inward, writing songs between himself and God instead of performing for an audience. His realization? If it comes down to choosing between anything and Jesus, Jesus wins every time! This insight has led to his latest song, 'Dancing In The Courts.' 

His commitment is clearly visible in the lyrics, 'I just wanna walk inside the light, 'Cause nothing in this world compares to eternal life.' With this song Plake encourages us to let go of our own burdens and pride, and make it a priority to find joy in God's presence. The chorus, 'Dancing in the courts with you, This life is temporary so I'm not gonna worry,' is a powerful affirmation of faith, a reminder to live fully in the moment, anchored in the unwavering hope of an eternal life with Him.

Plake's music gives listeners in the 'alternative' genre something to listen to but still know what the songs are about. His songs are not vague. It's about Jesus, you can hear that. With music that can carry you away intertwined with lyrics that keep you grounded, Plake's songs are a shining example of a man who's stepped back from the edge. 

Plake shares: 'At the end of the day, if I have to choose between Jesus or something else, I'll choose Him every time. That's what changed for me. That's what makes me excited. That's why I wanna do music.'

(Related scripture: John 8:12; Revelation 21:4; Psalm 84:10)

Listen to a podcast episode about this song

Connect with Hunter Plake


You can listen to the track directly on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0o06o4YM5i8KQSMXfZf57Z

Here is a link to the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1NyPybFxUo

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Medium.com also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://christianmusictoday.eu/

Tags:

Popular posts

"Dancing In Your Light" by Ora Street Mission Band: Shining Through Everyday Acts

Ora Street Mission Band put their finger on something important with "Dancing In Your Light." It's the fact that (as Christians) we don't generate our own light, we reflect God's light. It's like the moon reflecting the sun at night. As Christians, we are called to be lights to the world! The vibe of the song draws from a rich musical palette, inspired by The Police, Weather Report, and Toto, giving the song a contemporary groove that matches the song's present-day message. The song encourages you to come into action. So, what does it look like to live as a bearer of His light? The lyrics try to compare this with a firefly lit from within, and a lighthouse holding firm before a raging sea. Each comparison points to the same truth… His light is given to be shared with others. "If he has illuminated you, then fly and be free!" Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world." This song turns that fact into a call to action. Shine, move, and...
More >>

"What's That I Hear? (Murrell Ewing Cover)" by The Fosters: When Gospel Comes Home

What if one song could make you feel the pull of heaven so strongly that your heart wishes: "Please don't wake me // For soon the eastern sky will part and I'll see His face." That's exactly what The Fosters deliver with their reimagining of Murrell & Joan Ewing's 1978 classic, "What's That I Hear?" Originally a staple of Rev. Murrell Ewing's ministry and later recorded by various southern gospel legends, this song has been brought home, straight back to its Pentecostal roots. Andrew, Devi, and their three children breathe new life into it, layering family harmony over a real brass section that powers a Sunday morning revival. The longing that is at the heart of this song is unmistakable: "This old world has lost its charm; it's no place for me." It touches a feeling that many believers know quite well, a sense of restlessness and longing for something larger than what this earthly life has to offer. The song reminds us th...
More >>

"Is Anybody There? (Psalm 27)" by Stephen M. Miller: Holding On to Grace at Heaven’s Door

Stephen M. Miller's "Is Anybody There? (Psalm 27)" comes in the quiet aftermath of the Christmas celebrations, when reflection can feel like isolation. Stephen's song isn't about polishing away his mistakes, nor does it encourage you to do so with your mistakes. Stephen shares his painful experience, "I never saw it coming Lord // It felt right but it was wrong // Family and friends have left me // But I still have you and a song."   Stephen owns the fallout of his actions, taking accountability without despair. "I said it and I did it, Lord // Broke more hearts than I'll ever know // I can't fix this, though I've tried // Don't be angry, and please don't go." His song is a prayer for God's presence and guidance. "Hear me when I call you, Lord // Don't turn your face away // Don't give up on me like others have // Come help me through this day." Stephen describes a fear that we too experience when we ...
More >>