HARDY teamed up with A Day To Remember frontman Jeremy McKinnon for a heavy, rock-infused country duet titled “RADIO SONG.”
The song was released on Friday (Jan. 20) as part of the rock portion (THE CROW) of the Mississippi native’s much-anticipated country/rock album, the mockingbird & THE CROW.
“RADIO SONG” was co-written by HARDY (whose real name is Michael Hardy), alongside McKinnon, Zach Abend, Nick Donley, Wage War’s Cody Quistad. The tune, co-produced by McKinnon, Quistad and Andrew Wade, begins with HARDY singing about girls, trucks and dirt roads, otherwise known as stereotypical topics mentioned in most country songs, before the song shocks listeners as it erupts into a heavy rock sound at the end of the chorus, which also features McKinnon’s signature growls.
“Baby, whatcha think about getting outta here? / Get you outta this bar, girl, get to switching gears / in my Chevy there’s a Yeti in the back with some beer / We can park in the dark, get our dirt road on / Oh, everybody knows how it goes / Kiss you in the moonlight glow / Sitting shotty everybody sing along,” HARDY sings on the chorus, before McKinnon screams the final lyrics of the chorus, “Well this ain’t no radio song / f**k.”
Throughout the heavy country tune, HARDY sings cleans while McKinnon adds his roaring vocals in the mix.
“RADIO SONG” defies the norm of a typical radio single while poking fun at the idea that a song has to be a certain way or include specific topics to be successful on the radio.
During a recent interview on Today’s Country Radio with Kelleigh Bannen on Apple Music Country, HARDY opened up about the tune.
“I think the radio, there’s not a specific person, but there’s just such a formula to radio for the most part. And obviously, great things kind of break through, but like… there is a formula,” he explained. “And many, many, many times, 95% of the time, there does have to be a truck and there does have to be a girl. But our intention for that song was truly less making a statement and more of just it being like fun and ‘everybody, come on, let’s all have a sense of humor about it, because we all are aware.’… Everybody should be in on that joke.”
Listen To HARDY and Jeremy McKinnon’s New Duet “RADIO SONG” Below.
HARDY’s New Album, the mockingbird & THE CROW, Is Out Now
“RADIO SONG” appears on HARDY’s highly anticipated sophomore album, the mockingbird & THE CROW.
“the mockingbird & THE CROW is, in my opinion, the best thing I’ve made so far,” HARDY shared in a press release. “I had a lot of time to get in the weeds making this record with some of my favorite people in Nashville, and it truly captures every part of who I am as an artist. I’m honored that I get to share it with you next year; can’t wait to hear what you think about it.”
The project, which arrived on January 20 via Big Loud Records, features 17 tracks, including the previously released tunes: “here lies country music,” “the mockingbird & THE CROW,” “Jack,” “SOLD OUT,” “TRUCK BED” and more.
the mockingbird & THE CROW also consists of three duets, the chart-climbing “wait in the truck” with Lainey Wilson, “Red” featuring Morgan Wallen and of course, “RADIO SONG” with McKinnon.
The album is half rock and half country and was recorded between Ocean Way and Blackbird Studios in Nashville, entirely produced by Joey Moi with co-production by HARDY and Derek Wells, and co-production on select tracks by David Garcia, Jordan Schmidt, Ben Johnson, Andrew Wade, Jeremy McKinnon, and Cody Quistad.
HARDY co-wrote every single track on the album alongside some of Nashville’s most sought after songwriters, including Ashley Gorley, Rhett Akins, Hillary Lindsey, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, and more.
The chart-topping will soon celebrate the release of his new album with two concerts in Los Angeles at iconic venues, The Troubadour and The Roxy, on Monday, January 23. In addition, HARDY will also perform “wait in the truck” alongside Lainey Wilson on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, January 25.
He will also make an appearance on NBC’s TODAY Show to perform the meaningful album cut, “screen” on Thursday, January 26.
HARDY Will Soon Hit The Road In Support Of His New Album
Additionally, HARDY will embark on a massive headlining tour next month in support of the new album, dubbed the mockingbird & THE CROW tour.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be able to bring this record to you next year. Touring it is something I’ve been thinking about since we started the recording process,” HARDY said. “This album is my best work so far. I truly believe that, and I want this tour to reflect that every night. Excited to have my buddies Blame My Youth and Jameson out with me; it’s going to be crazy.”
The trek, which features support from Jameson Rodgers and Blame My Youth, kicks off on February 16 at Old National Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana, and continues through April 29, where the tour wraps up at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas.
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For a full list of HARDY’s upcoming tour dates visit his official website HERE.
