Cole Swindell‘s mother, Betty Carol Rainey, passed away in September 2021, and the singer honored her with a performance of an unreleased song titled “Heads Up Heaven” during his show on November 4 in Rome, Georgia as part of his Twelve Tour.
The emotional track was written by Swindell with Chase McGill and Bobby Pinson and acts as a “heads up” to higher powers about what to expect when Swindell’s mom arrives.
“She’s always wanted to meet you face to face,” the song concludes, “Heads up heaven, there’s a good one headed your way.”
“Heads Up Heaven” Serves As An Emotional Ode To His Late Mom
Swindell had originally performed the unreleased song for the first time during his performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in November 2022 on his Back Down To The Bar Tour, which he referenced before singing the song again over the weekend. “I played this literally a year ago at the Ryman for the first time, I don’t know how I got through it then, either,” he shared with the audience at his recent show. “[I] lost my mom a couple years ago and I know I’m not the only one in here that’s probably been through that.”
“Can’t ask for your help, because I know y’all don’t know the words,” he continued, “but I hope you love it and I hope it makes you think of somebody you’re missing tonight.”
Swindell‘s Mom Passed Away In 2021
The Georgia native originally shared the news of his mom’s death with fans on social media on September 13, 2021, posting a photo he took out the window of a plane on his way home to be with his family.
“Took this on the flight home to Georgia this afternoon,” he wrote. “Lost my sweet Mom today. I know she’s up there. Gonna miss her so much. Love y’all.”
Swindell was opening for Thomas Rhett on Rhett’s Center Point Road tour at the time and returned to the road around one week later. During a show in Massachusetts, Swindell paid tribute to his mother with his song “You Should Be Here,” which he originally wrote in memory of his late father.
Previously Paid Tribute To His Late Mom Live
Speaking to the crowd, the singer explained that he wanted to be at the show instead of taking the weekend off at Rhett’s suggestion.
“I’m not the only one who’s ever lost someone I love,” he said. “I think we all have someone we wish was here tonight, and I will always have a special connection with all of you in this whole area because I will never forget the day sitting in the parking lot at Gillette Stadium writing this song right here.”
“I wrote it after losing my Dad, y’all, and your stories have inspired me,” he continued. “They keep me going and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for y’all.”
In 2019, Swindell opened up about his mom in an interview with PopCulture.com, sharing that she always reminded him of how far he’s come in his career.
“She’s the one that keeps me humble,” he said. “She’s the one that, no matter how stressed out I get, if I wanna be here or wanna be there, she is always the first person to remind me, ‘Come on, Cole. Think about it. Me and you would have never thought you’d be where you are right now.’ I always say that, but I mean it because it takes someone like her to put it all in perspective.”
