Jimmie Allen’s unique sound combined with Paisley’s signature guitar playing make for a remarkable new single, “Freedom Was A Highway”, set to hit country radio on February 1st.
“Freedom Was A Highway” was first released on Allen’s record Bettie James, named after his late grandmother and late father, where he collaborates with superstars of various genres and generations including Darius Rucker, Charlie Pride, Tim McGraw, Mickey Guyton, Nelly, Noah Cyrus, Tauren Wells, Rita Wilson, and The Oakridge Boys. Since its release in July 2020, Bettie James has received more than 118 million streams.
“Freedom Was A Highway” is a nostalgic, windows-down tune where Allen and Paisley reminisce about younger, carefree days. It was written by Allen, Ash Bowers, and Matt Rogers and Paisley adds vocals and a signature guitar solo.
When the town was the whole world / And love was the girl next door / soundtrack was a song in the dark / I miss those days when our dreams were there for chasing / But time was better wasted / We were summer young and livin’ for a Friday/ And freedom was a highway
While writing this song with his co-writers, Allen says he imagined himself driving down his favorite roads back in Delaware. He says, in a press release, “This song takes me back to simpler moments such as an innocent, childhood crush on the next-door neighbor or feeling freedom in the wind as you drive with the windows down.”
On dueting with Paisley, he shares, “I’m a huge admirer of Brad Paisley. I love what he brings to music and I had to have him bring that same magic to this song. I’m humbled to have him join me on this song – he brought the Freedom to the Highway.”
Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley’s “Freedom Was A Highway” Impacts Country Radio February 1st
Regarding joining Allen on the song, Paisley shared, “I’m a fan of Jimmie, not only as a musician but also as a person, and I was honored when he asked me to join him on the song. It’s a magical combination – it doesn’t sound like a typical record for me at all and when I come in, I try my best not to ruin Jimmie’s song.” In regards to his role in the song, Paisley says that “I use my guitar to make a record sort of sound like I’m on it even before you hear me sing, and I love this guitar solo. I’m really proud to be a part of ‘Freedom Was A Highway’ and I’m excited for people to hear it.’”
When you’re seventeen and driving / you don’t think about the road running out / no, no, no, no / you just keep your eyes on that horizon / because you’re wrapped in now
Allen has already made history as the first Black artist to launch a career with two consecutive No. 1 hits on Country radio – the first being his debut single “Best Shot” – which claimed the No. 1 spot for three weeks – and second being his latest solo single “Make Me Want To”. While Bettie James was a special album for Allen because it paid tribute to his late family members and so many influential artists, “Why Things Happen” with Darius Rucker and Charley Pride was an especially impactful moment of his career as Allen was able to bring together three generations of Black country artists and share a song with the two artists who helped pave the way for him in country music. Allen is beyond grateful that he was able to have a friendship and this song with Pride before he passed and that he was able to properly thank him for breaking the barriers that allowed for his presence and success in country music.
On July 13, 2021, Allen will publish his debut picture book, My Voice Is a Trumpet, a powerful story about speaking up for what you believe in, at any age. For more information, visit www.jimmieallenmusic.com.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Jimmie Allen releases.
“Freedom Was A Highway” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/freedom-was-a-highway.jpg6301200Caleigh DeCapriohttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngCaleigh DeCaprio2021-02-01 13:15:062021-02-01 13:30:00Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley Come Together For “Freedom Was A Highway”
Luke Combs teamed up with bluegrass artist, Billy Strings, and surprised fans with a timely new song. “The Great Divide” is available now, February 1st on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new track.
Upon surprise releasing the new song, Combs posted an Instagram video earlier today about his thoughts on the track and the story behind it. Written by Combs, along with Billy Strings and their friend Wyatt Durrette back in June of 2020, Combs tells fans that the “The Great Divide” was intended to be on a Bluegrass album that he was working on. However, as plans change, Combs shifted his focus to his third album instead and says the bluegrass project has been put on pause for now.
Combs shares, “I thought now was a good time to put this song out with everything that has been and is going on in the world. It isn’t meant to be political or try and tell you what to think or believe; that’s not my job. It’s just me saying how I felt when I wrote it and I wanted y’all to hear it.”
Strings adds, “This song is our interpretation of the conflicts and tension we had been witnessing/experiencing around the time we wrote it. We wanted to shine a little light on the situation and offer a bit of hope during what has been a tough time for many.”
Quite literally, this song suggests the great divide that exists within our country right now.
“We’re all so far, so far apart now / It’s as deep as it is wide / We’re about to fall apart now / If we can’t reach the other side / We gotta find a way across the great divide”
“The Great Divide” opens with a very telling image of a reality we are all living. Even if we’re not the ones in the fight or the ones experiencing it every day, we are seeing it every time we go on our phones or turn on our TV’s. It’s likely we don’t go long without a conversation coming up either. It is around all of us and has been for a while now.
“We’re striking matches on the TV / Setting fires on our phones / Bearing crosses we believe in dying on / tempers flare, the flame flies higher / as we soar closer towards the sun / But I like to think too much damage ain’t been done”
As real and to the point as this song is, it still manages to offer a sense of hope among its saddening truth, and remind us that a different ending is possible. A hope that one day we will make our way across this great divide and a reminder that people who were strangers and people who are different and believe in different things have loved each other before.
“Sometimes it seems that our convictions / Side of the fence that we sand on / Makes us all too damn different to get along / But I’ve seen strangers love each other / Like a mother does her son / What we see ain’t only all that’s going on”
Luke Combs & Billy Strings “The Great Divide” is available everywhere now, February 1st
Combs has already received widespread attention for another song he wrote and released last summer: “Six Feet Apart”, which was in response to the state of the world in relation to the pandemic. The track was among six new songs included on Combs What You See Ain’t Always What You Get Deluxe Album, released in October of 2020, including “Forever After All”, which debuted at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 Chart – the highest entrance ever for a male country solo artist. Combs also received his tenth-consecutive No. 1 single at country radio, a first on Billboard Country Airplay chart. Additionally, the country superstar made history as the first artist ever to have their first two solo studio albums spend 25 weeks or more at No.1 on Billboard Top Country Albums Chart – breaking Taylor Swift’s previous record at 24 weeks.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Luke Combs releases.
“The Great Divide” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/billy-strongs-luke-combs.jpg6301200Caleigh DeCapriohttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngCaleigh DeCaprio2021-02-01 12:48:152021-02-01 12:48:15Luke Combs and Billy Strings Unite for Timely “The Great Divide”
As fans are still digesting all 30 songs from Morgan Wallen’s, Dangerous: The Double Album, the country superstar added to the total, releasing two brand new songs – “This Side of a Dust Cloud” and “Bandaid on a Bullet Hole” — and a live performance recording of “Sand in My Boots’, available on all streaming platforms. Keep reading below as we dig deeper into the new tracks.
Apparently, the multi-platinum artist wasn’t satisfied with only having ten songs on the all-genre charts. “This Side of a Dust Cloud” and “Bandaid on a Bullet Hole” were exclusive songs on the Target CD and vinyl editions, however, due to a manufacturing error, the bonus tracks were not included in the original CD production. Now, regardless of how you listen, these tracks are available everywhere and continue promoting the album’s theme of heartbreak and vulnerability.
“This Side of a Dust Cloud”’s message is very similar to Jon Pardi’s “Ain’t Always the Cowboy,” as Wallen sings how it’s usually him “doing the leaving” and being the heartbreaker, but this time he’s on the other side of the breakup. Although the story sounds depressing, the tempo of the song would suggest otherwise. The songwriters Matt Dragstrem, Chase McGill, Josh Thompson, and Wallen, elected to use a more upbeat production in this track.
“Guess she beat me at my own game / Thing about a two lane / Guess it’s gotta work both ways / What goes around comes around came around and here I am now / On this side of a dust cloud”
“Bandaid On A Bullet Hole” is much darker; a piano is the only instrument that backs Wallen’s somber voice. Written by Wallen with Ashley Gorley and Jacob Durrett, the man in the story tries everything from whiskey, old country songs, and other women to get over this particular girl, but nothing seems to be working.
Wallen sings “If I was heartbroke and lonely, I’d head on back down to the bar. Find me a companion, but you left a canyon, can’t nobody fill this heart.” ‘Bandaid on a bullet hole’ is a comical phrase, yet extremely profound as it captures the severity of this singer’s feelings.
On top of having ten songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100, Dangerous: The Double Albumhas topped the album charts for the past two weeks. These new tracks will certainly help Wallen stay at that spot for next week. As the album was released, we caught up with Wallen to talk about the songwriting process, releasing it in 2021, and giving fans exactly what they want: a ton of new music. Watch the virtual interview below.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Morgan Wallen announcements and releases.
“This Side of a Dust Cloud,” “Bandaid on a Bullet Hole”and “Sand in My Boots (Dangerous Sessions)” are now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/morgan-wallen-new-songs.jpg6301200Dylan Bestlerhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngDylan Bestler2021-02-01 12:42:102021-02-01 13:03:37Morgan Wallen Drops Two Brand New Songs
Rising artist and songwriter, Heath Sanders’ debut EP, Common Ground is officially available now, January 29th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new record and take a look below as we dive a little deeper into the new music.
Heath Sanders’ Debut EP ‘Common Ground’ is out now, January 29th
Almost two years ago to the day, an aspiring singer-songwriter, Heath Sanders shared a video of himself covering Chris Stapleton’s “Either Way.” The video went viral, garnering over a million views, and ultimately opening doors for him in Nashville. Flash forward to today, the singer signed a record deal with Big Machine Label Group’s Valory Music Co. imprint, home to artists like Thomas Rhett, Tyler Rich, and Justin Moore. Now, his debut EP Common Ground is officially available everywhere you listen to music.
In just four songs, Sanders evokes such talent, charisma, and story-telling that it’s instantly captivating. With a style similar to our favorite ’90s country artists, as well as, Luke Combs and even Stapleton himself, Sanders is one to look out for. According to Sanders in our exclusive interview, “Common Ground is really a big feeler to see what everybody is drawn to, and which side of me they love, and want to hear more of. […] We just want to give people a sample of what I have on deck.”
The EP is bookended by two incredibly touching slow-jams. Beginning with our personal favorite, the title track, “Common Ground,” the singer puts his vocals on display with heartfelt lyrics. Written with his friends and fellow songwriters, Jay Brunswick and Jeremy Bussey, Sanders felt that this was a message that had to be heard, especially due to the climate of the world. Moreover, the song depicts his personal journey of learning and growing as an artist.
“I’ve got to see a lot of the world and interact with a lot of different people, and it’s really woken me up to how similar we all are at the end of the day,” he shared with us, “I think at the end of the day, we all want happiness, peace, and we want to work hard, and raise our kids.”
“We’re all on a different journey / We’re all finding our own way / We’re all living, we’re all learning”
Sanders continues to share his vulnerable side with fans on the closing track “Can’t Undo I Do.” The song paints a picture of going through hard times in a relationship, but ultimately remembering that things will not unravel so quickly. Singing, “I know it stings right now, but we both know the truth / You can’t undo I do,” Sanders quietly, but profoundly states a universal truth.
The other two songs off the record, “Old School’s In” and “Love Needs Makin’” are just as special, but lean more into the singer’s upbeat and rock side. The former is slated to be Sanders’ first single to country radio. “That song is representative of who I am and where I come from, and how proud I am to be from a place like that,” exclaims Sanders. The song is fun, electric, and sure to be hit on the stage and on the airwaves.
Finally, “Love Needs Makin’” is that comforting, familiar everyday-man song that you just cannot get enough of. Uptempo and lyrically-sublime, the track is everything you want a country song to be. Sanders truly knocks it out of the park with this blue-collar tune that country fans are sure to go crazy for.
With only four songs, Sanders proves that he is one to look out for. When he is able to get back on the road, we are sure that these tracks are going to blow up even more. Despite his natural talent and hardworking nature, the singer-songwriter reminds us that he does it all for the fans. “My goal is to get back out there, so I can start hugging necks because I owe a lot of people a debt of gratitude,” he shares, ending our interview on a hopeful note that live music will prevail.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Heath Sanders releases.
Want a chance to win a private zoom experience with Heath Sanders? Had to Instagram & Enter to Win *All winners will be notified by Tuesday, February 9th via e-mail or DM.
Common Ground EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
New country duo LAKEVIEW’s brand new song, “Message in a Bottle” is available now January 29th. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new track.
LAKEVIEW’s new song “Message in a Bottle” is available now, January 28th.
We love championing new artists on the country music scene and rising duo, LAKEVIEW, are definitely a pair to watch. Comprised of friends Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, the two are some of our favorites right now. After releasing their songs, “Poor Me” and “She Drove Me To The Bar,” we fell in love with their clever lyrics and fresh new sound. Today the duo released their brand new song and music video for “Message in a Bottle.”
Co-written by the duo, “Message in a Bottle” continues to prove that Denaro and Healy are not only great vocalists but incredible lyricists. The song embodies how it feels to be going through heartbreak, and relying a little bit too much on alcohol as a healer. Similar to “She Drove Me To The Bar,” LAKEVIEW relies on figurative language using the age-old adage of a message in a bottle to captivate something new and fresh.
“Drinkin’ to all that it was / I’m still nursing this bourbon to the memory of us / Baby if I’m being honest / Heartbreak’s hard to swallow”
Of course, the music video only amplifies the message of the track. With similar vibes to Florida Georgia Line, LAKEVIEW manages to create a new story within the universal feeling of heartbreak. The music video shows the duo struggling in their own rights, as they reflect on the relationship. The singer’s lament about the old days, wanting to talk to an ex, and how hard heartbreak truly is. It seems that they have first-hand experience with dealing with all they sing about.
We cannot wait to see what LAKEVIEW has coming down the pipeline next. We are true believers in their talent, and look forward to continuing to support their artistry.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future LAKEVIEW releases.
“Message in a Bottle” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/lakeview-message-in-a-bottle.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2021-01-29 01:27:402021-01-29 01:27:40New Country Duo LAKEVIEW Release “Message in a Bottle”
Ryan Kinder’s new song “Tired of Flying” is available now, January 29th everywhere you listen to music. The track features eight-time GRAMMY Nominee Brandy Clark and fourteen-time GRAMMY Winner Jerry Douglas and is the second song released off of his upcoming duets album, Ontology. Take a look below as we dig a litter deeper into the new music.
“Tired of Flying” follows the forthcoming album’s first release, “Doing Fine” featuring Sykamore. Upon the track’s release, Kinder says Brandy Clark was the second person he met after coming to music city over ten years ago, and this is their first collaboration together. They’ve written together, toured together, and now will have this song together.
Kinder penned the track seven years ago and says that it has always been special to him. After hearing an old demo, it was the excitement of Clark and Douglas that made him decide it was time to put it out into the world. He shares that “Brandy’s voice, much like Jerry’s playing, makes you believe every note that is being sung and played. Their honesty within their craft made this song exceed every expectation I had for it.”
“Tired of Flying” uses a metaphor of a sparrow flying and someone trying to just make it through a day. It opens on them pouring the rest of the wine down the sink because it’s just not helping, as they can’t stop thinking and their wheels spinning. The sadness portrayed is palpable, a true country song with lyrics that pull you through from note to note. You can’t help but wonder if you’ll ever know how to escape it all, or will it just be one of those things that never goes away.
“As I look out the window / I wonder where the sparrow goes to find shelter from the storm / does that blue-gray sky get tired of crying (does the sun wish it could just start shining) / does that lonely bird get tired of flying”
Kinder’s rugged vocals coupled with Clark’s beautiful pitch on top of Douglas’ playing let us know that this was the perfect combo to bring this song to life.
Ryan Kinder’s New Song “Tired Of Flying” is Available Everywhere Now, January 29th
Kinder has toured with John Fogerty/ZZ Top, Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw, Jennifer Nettles, and more. He was also named one of our “Artists to Watch back in 2018”.
Brandy Clark has released three studio albums and her songs have been recorded by Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and many others.
Douglas has worked as both a writer and recording artist with Garth Brooks, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Phish, Paul Simon, Mumford & Sons, James Taylor, Keb’ Mo’, Elvis Costello, and many others. He is a three-time recipient of the CMA’s “Musician of the Year award”.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Ryan Kinder releases.
“Tired of Flying” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ryan-kinder-brand-clark.jpg6301200Caleigh DeCapriohttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngCaleigh DeCaprio2021-01-29 01:21:472021-01-29 01:21:47Ryan Kinder Collaborates with Brandy Clark & Jerry Douglas on “Tired of Flying”
Niko Moon’s remix of “GOOD TIME” with Reggae singer, Shaggy is available now on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new track.
NYCountry Swag 2021 Artist to WatchNiko Moon has released a new version of his Top 10 debut single “GOOD TIME” featuring GRAMMY Award-winning artist, Shaggy. While the original version of the gold-certified track nears the top 5 at country radio and has already gained more than 157 million on-demand streams since it’s release, the remix offers a refreshing twist on an already chill song.
“Something bout a night this clear / makes your problems dissapear / so we just gonna stay right here and let the world go by / we just tryna catch a good time / even if it takes all night / pass that bottle round the campfire / sippin apple pie moonshine / tryna catch a good time”
The song is a summer anthem, and if you know Niko Moon at all, a Reggae remix is the perfect match for his contagiously positive vibes. While “GOOD TIME” was the song to catapult his career as an artist, songs like “Paradise to Me”, “Way Back”, “Good at Loving You”, and “Dance with Me” give off the same infectious energy. Even “Drunk Over You”, a song about drinking away a break-up, disguises itself as a song that makes you want to dance behind its upbeat tune.
This remix slows things down with classic Reggae undertones as Shaggy adds his back-up vocals and own verse.
“Early morning up the sun is climbing / chillin on the beach is how I like it / paradise is how I would describe it / overwhelmed with joy and I can’t hide it / living it easy, easy living it all”
While Niko Moon may be a new face, his songs have been around for years in several musical genres. He has written dozens of songs for Zac Brown Band including hits like “Homegrown”, “Keep me in Mind”, “Loving You Easy”, “Beautiful Drug”, “Somebody I Used to Know”, “Roots”, “Family Table” and “My Old Man”. Additionally, he’s penned familiar tracks like Dierks Bentley’s “Gone” and Rascal Flatts’ “Back to Life”. Moon also wrote the #1 rock song “Heavy is the Head” and Avicii’s “Broken Arrows”.
Before tours were forced to cancel, Moon was on the Platonic Tour with Ryan Hurd. They played two nights at the Gramercy Theatre in NYC in what ended up being two of the last shows of the tour just before the COVID-19 pandemic forced shows across the nation to cancel.
Niko Moon’s “GOOD TIME” featuring Shaggy is available everywhere now, January 29th
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Niko Moon releases.
“GOOD TIME (feat. Shaggy)” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
Brett Young revealed to fans today on social media that he and wife, Taylor Mills Young are expecting baby number two.
Due this summer, baby-to-be will join big sister, 1-year-old, Presley. Young shared, “And then we were 4… It seems like just yesterday we found out our little Presley was on her way. We are beyond blessed by this growing little family!”
Exclusively sharing all of the details and photos with People, the outlet broke the news earlier today, (January 27).
Congratulations to Brett, Taylor, Presley, and their growing family!
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Brett Young releases.
Looking for new country music? Check out the latest recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/baby-brett-young-copy.jpg6301200Team Country Swaghttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngTeam Country Swag2021-01-27 17:40:052021-01-27 17:40:05Brett Young and Wife, Taylor, Expecting Second Child
Showing off his love for his small-town life, Still That Kid is relatable, nostalgic, and filled with the heart-warming lyrics and vocals that we love from Logan Mize.
Logan Mize’s New Album “Still That Kid” is out now, January 27th
Logan Mize’s new album, Still That Kid, is out today, January 27th. It is the nostalgic story of his life growing up in small-town USA. From the album title and throughout each track he digs down to his roots and proves that he’s Still That Kid from Clearwater, Kansas. He looks back on Friday night lights, nights at the local bar, young love, and shares how that past continues to affect his life. Mize’s previous album, Come Back Road (2017) debuted Top 20 on the Billboard Country Album Sales Chart and number 2 on the iTunes Country chart. It features his hit singles “Ain’t Always Pretty” and “Better Off Gone”.
To celebrate Still That Kid, Mize will perform two livestream shows on Thursday, February 4th, live from the McPherson Opera House in his home state. The first will be at 1:30 PM CT (2:30 PM ET) and the second at 7:30 PM CT (8:30 PM ET). Each will be 45-minute acoustic performances of songs off the new album as well as fan-favorites. Doing his part to support local businesses near his hometown, Mize will be donating a portion of the livestream ticket proceeds to the McPherson Opera House. The album release livestream offers various ticket packages, giving fans the option to add an after-party pass that will include an exclusive encore performance from Mize and his wife/fellow artist, Jill Martin. For tickets and more information click here.
Still That Kid, the 13-track album includes writers Rhett Akins, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley, and Chris Destefano. Mize had pre-released several songs off the record including two versions of “I Ain’t Gotta Grow Up”, his own, and a new version with Willie Jones. Previously released songs also include “Who Didn’t”, two versions of his popular song “Grew Apart”, one with Donovan Woods, and one with Alexandra Kay, “Hometown”, and Mize’s cover of “Something Just Like This”. Fans will get to hear brand new songs like “American Livin’”, “Gone Goes On and On”, “Practice Swing”, “Get em Together”, “Prettiest Girl in the World” and “Slow”.
Here are some of our top picks from the collection...
American Livin’ (Logan Mize, Blake Chaffin)
There’s no better song to open up this album. It’s the story of a one-red light town that you’re meant to move out of, but you find yourself missing once you’re gone. There’s a lot you miss, but it’s the little things like leaving the doors unlocked, knowing your neighbors, and meaning “see ya later”. It’s the kind of song that puts you right back in a high school Friday night.
“When life was a Mellencamp song / it was faded blue jeans, on the hood of a hand-me-down Chevy / With all your first best friends / and time says you can’t go back, oh but just like that / you know what it is you’ve been missing / Friday night small town, American Livin”
It may also be one of the few songs of its kind that ends on the happy note of returning to your hometown and getting back those days you’ve been missing. “One day there’s a for sale sign on the edge of town and your roots seem to find their way back in the ground…” A friendly reminder that perhaps those days aren’t only in the past.
After releasing this song originally as a solo single, Mize later released two different versions of the song, one with its lead-writer Donovan Woods, and the other with Alexandra Kay. The two songs together give different perspectives of the same story, without changing a word of it.
The version with Woods gives a very similar perspective as the original release, in that it is from the guy’s perspective- it’s the same side of the break-up. They have their own opinions about why the relationship ended but they’re not ready to come to terms with them just yet, so they don’t give the whole truth when people ask, they just tell the parts they want to believe themselves.
“ It’s for the best, it’s over now / wasn’t anyone’s fault it didn’t workout / she’s a good girl, just wasn’t the one / we wanted different things, we had a good run / she’s better off, and so am I / It is what it is, but it’s all a lie / I don’t tell em’ how you broke my heart, I just tell em that we grew apart ”
However, in Alexandra Kay’s version, we get a sense of the other side too. There is one thing that the two can both agree on- and it’s that the other one is more to blame. They show that the two people in a relationship can be just as upset about a break-up as the other, but will never admit it or let the other one know.
“I could tell ‘em how you came in late / I can tell ‘em how you looked me in the eye and told that lie with a straight face / I don’t know why I don’t, maybe I hope it ain’t really over / but what’s that say about me / am I that weak”
Gone Goes On and On (Josh Kear, Robert Counts, Ed Hill, Mark Irwin)
This song is about where your feelings about a break-up or losing someone can take you after a few too many drinks. Through frustration, sadness, regret, and loss, it will take you to every level of what you’re feeling when you know that person is gone for good.
“Goodbye will hit you at the speed of a one last kiss / love will walk out while you’re still holding your breath / sometimes forever is over as fast as a song / but gone goes on and on and on and on / tail lights will fade out in the blink of a single tear / it only takes a couple seconds for a comeback prayer / losing everything don’t take long / but gone goes on and on and on”
Hometown (Tony Lane, Stephen Wilson, Marv Green)
This song is about Mize’s struggle between chasing his dream of being a singer/songwriter in Nashville and missing his life and family back home in Kansas. After being gone for so long, he had a life-altering experience that made him realize that he was wasting time he’ll never get back with his family. This struggle of wanting to chase your lifelong dreams and not wanting to miss out on the rest of your life, and wishing you could do both these things at once, is all too common and isn’t an easy choice to make no matter the circumstances. The track captures that idea perfectly and shows that choosing your family and home can be greater than even the biggest of dreams.
“ I wanna be home / in my own hometown / yeah back where my roots ran wild in my barefoot stomping ground / yeah I wanna wake up to some of that cookin’ / know my way around without lookin’ / home, in my own hometown”
Prettiest Girl in the World (Logan Mize, Blake Chaffin)
Mize originally wrote this song for his wife, but after his daughter was born, he says it took on a whole new meaning. For the last five years, it has been “Violet’s Song” and now he is finally sharing it with the rest of us. Acting almost as a sequel to “Ain’t Always Pretty”, this song is the feel-good love song we needed.
“It’s hard to believe that the prettiest girl in the world needs to hear / somebody loves her as much at her worst as I do at her best / my wildest dreams I’d never guessed I’d be the one holding the prettiest girl in the world”
Slow (Dallas Davidson, Chris DeStefano, Houston Phillips)
Given the many songs Mize has given us about home, and specifically about the small-town USA, it is only right that he would give us a song about taking life slow and soaking up all that it has to offer. It’s an uplifting reminder we all need every now and then when we are always worrying about tomorrow, what’s next, and staying busy.
“ Fall in love, soak it in / do your best, be a friend / son you don’t need a reason to bring home a dozen roses / and have a drink, take a shot / save a little, spend a lot / enjoy the ride, every high every low when you drive down one of life’s road / take it slow ”
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Logan Mize announcements and releases.
Still That Kid is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our New Country music playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/still-that-kid-logan-mize.jpg6301200Caleigh DeCapriohttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngCaleigh DeCaprio2021-01-27 15:19:052021-01-27 17:11:49Logan Mize: Still That Kid – Album Review
Luke Combs’ continues his record-breaking streak as “Better Together” earns him his 10th consecutive #1 as the song hits the top spot on the country charts this week.
There is no one like Luke Combs in the country music industry. Since he burst onto the scene in 2016, fans have flocked to him and his music rather instantaneously. Everything Combs touches turns platinum, and his latest single “Better Together” off his sophomore record What You See Is What You Get is no exception, making its debut at the top of the country music charts.
Co-written by Combs with Dan Isbell, and Randy Montana, “Better Together” is a monumental, yet simple love song that was truly made for Combs’ voice. Furthermore, the song represents an unprecedented feat. as the superstar is the first country artist in history to score the top spot on the charts with every single that he has released to country radio since his debut.
“Better Together” joins the collection of songs like “When It Rains It Pours,” “She Got the Best of Me,” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” It follows “Lovin’ on You,” which went number one last year.
Luke Combs earns 10th consecutive #1 with “Better Together” // Photo Credit: Zack Massey
“Some things just go better together and probably always will / Like a cup of coffee and a sunrise, Sunday drives and time to kill / What’s the point of this ol’ guitar if it ain’t got no strings / Or pourin’ your heart into a song that you ain’t gonna sing”
There is truly no stopping the hitmaker! Congratulations to Luke and his team!
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Luke Combs announcements and releases.
“Better Together” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
