Luke Combs’ latest single, “Where The Wild Things Are,” officially hit country radio on October 16th, adding another storytelling masterpiece to his impressive repertoire. This captivating track, while perfectly aligned with Combs’ signature style, has a fascinating backstory – it was once on hold for and nearly recorded by Eric Church.
Before the song made its way to airwaves, Luke Combs gathered with his songwriting collaborators – Dan Isbell, Jonathan Singleton, Ray Fulcher, Chip Matthews, and Rob Williford – to delve into the journey of how “Where The Wild Things Are” ultimately landed in his hands.
The Unexpected Path of “Where The Wild Things Are”
Alt text: Luke Combs performing on stage, highlighting the energy of his live shows, a key aspect of his connection with fans.
“Where the Wild Things Are” was a collaborative creation by Randy Montana and Dave Turnbull. For several years, this compelling song circulated within the industry, awaiting the right artist to recognize its potential and bring it to life. Combs confessed feeling an immediate connection to the song’s narrative depth. Interestingly, he wasn’t alone in his admiration. Singleton and Isbell revealed that Eric Church, known for his own storytelling prowess, also had a keen interest in this evocative tale.
“He almost cut it…I couldn’t believe that song couldn’t land somewhere,” Isbell remarked, emphasizing the song’s journey through the industry before Combs finally recorded it.
Combs added context to the situation, stating, “At the time, nobody was cutting story songs at all, really. I mean, outside of Eric Church, probably.” This highlights the shifting trends in country music and how “Where The Wild Things Are,” a song rich in narrative, might have been overlooked in a different era.
A Shared Musical DNA: Luke Combs and Eric Church
The near-overlap in song choice between Combs and Church isn’t entirely surprising when considering their shared background and musical sensibilities. Both artists hail from North Carolina and are alumni of Appalachian State University. Furthermore, Combs has openly acknowledged Eric Church as a significant musical hero, shaping his own artistic path.
Alt text: A side-by-side photo of Luke Combs and Eric Church, emphasizing their shared influence and respect within the country music scene.
During an appearance on Straight Up Steve Austin, Combs recounted a period in college where he temporarily drifted away from country music, drawn to the more pop-infused sounds popular among his peers.
“I think the reason that myself and my parents stopped listening to country music is it wasn’t, at that moment in time, as relatable. A lot of guys got heavy into The Beach, it was getting more poppy sounding at that time,” Combs candidly explained. He clarified, “And not to say I’m Merle Haggard, because I’m not, I’m not claiming to be that either, but that was the big shift.”
Eric Church: The Spark of Inspiration
Combs further elaborated that it was Eric Church’s music that rekindled his passion for country music and ultimately inspired him to pursue his own career in the genre. Church’s raw and authentic approach resonated deeply with Combs, offering a contemporary sound within the traditional country framework.
“When I got to Appalachian State, a guy that lived on my floor brought in an Eric Church CD and said, ‘Hey this guy went to college here, you should check him out,’” Combs recalled. “Once I heard Eric, I was like, ‘This is something I can relate to, and if he can do that and he’s from here, and I’m from here, I can do that.’ And that’s kind of where the fire caught spark for lack of a better term.”
This pivotal moment ignited Combs’ ambition, leading him to become one of country music’s biggest stars. The connection between the two artists extends beyond shared geography and alma mater; it’s rooted in mutual respect and a similar artistic ethos. Their collaboration on the 2019 duet “Does To Me,” featured on Combs’ album What You See Is What You Get, further solidified their bond.
“Does To Me”: A Duet Born from Mutual Admiration
Penned by Combs with Ray Fulcher and Tyler Reeve, “Does To Me” became an instant fan favorite and achieved significant chart success, marking Combs’ eighth consecutive No. 1 single. This collaboration showcased their harmonious blend of styles and further highlighted their artistic compatibility.
YouTube video thumbnail for Luke Combs and Eric Church's "Does To Me".
Alt text: “Does To Me” music video still, capturing the collaborative spirit between Luke Combs and Eric Church, two influential figures in modern country music.
“Where The Wild Things Are” is now the focus single from Combs’ album, Gettin’ Old. The song delves into themes of brotherhood and freedom, painted with vivid imagery and emotional depth. Sung from the perspective of a brother reflecting on his sibling’s adventurous spirit, the lyrics tell a poignant story of a life lived on the edge. The narrative unfolds as the character recounts tales of his brother’s travels out West, “where the wild things are.” Combs’ powerful vocals, combined with driving drum beats, amplify the song’s emotional core from the very first verse.
The opening verse sets the scene: “My big brother rode an Indian Scout / It was black like his jacket / American Spirit hangin’ outta his mouth / Just like our daddy / He kicked started that bike one night and broke mama’s heart / He pointed that headlight west / Out where the wild things are,” immediately drawing listeners into the narrative.
As the song progresses, a somber turn reveals the brother’s tragic fate in a motorcycle accident. Despite the loss, the song ultimately celebrates a life lived authentically and passionately, concluding with a sense of peace as the brother is laid to rest in the landscape he loved.
The final verse poignantly states: “They said he hit that guardrail at half past three / Lit up those streets that never sleep when the sky goes dark / We buried him out in the wind ‘neath the West Coast stars / Out where the wild things are,” leaving a lasting impression of both sorrow and celebration.
The Vocal Tightrope of “Where The Wild Things Are”
YouTube video thumbnail for Luke Combs' "Where The Wild Things Are" audio track.
Alt text: Audio visualizer for “Where The Wild Things Are” on YouTube, representing the song’s availability on digital platforms and its growing popularity.
Combs acknowledged the vocal demands of “Where The Wild Things Are,” similar to his previous hit “The Kind of Love We Make.” He recognized the challenge it would pose for live performances.
“I would argue that it’s a really tough song to sing and figure out how you would do you live,” he admitted. “I mean, we struggle with it even in studio. But I mean that’s one of those ones that I haven’t even run with the band yet. And I’m like…what does that look like live?”
Despite the vocal complexities, Combs and his producer Scott Moffatt recognized the song’s power to elevate his album. Moffatt encouraged him to embrace the challenge, prioritizing the song’s quality over potential live performance difficulties.
“I remember somebody telling me, I think it was when me and Moffitt were still doing stuff and I was telling him, ‘well, we can’t do this, because I’m not going to be able to sing this thing live like this.’ And he was like, ‘dude, we can’t dumb down the record. You’ll figure it out, like, we got to make it as good as we can and you’re gonna figure it out. I promise.’ So I always remembered that.”
Combs concluded, “I don’t know how that song never get cut, because it’s an awesome, awesome song.” This sentiment underlines the song’s inherent quality and the fortunate circumstances that led it to Luke Combs.
Currently, Luke Combs is on his 2023 world tour, performing across Europe. Looking ahead, he has announced his 2024 Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour, set to begin on April 12th in Milwaukee, WI, promising fans more opportunities to experience his music live, including, perhaps, the vocally challenging yet captivating “Where The Wild Things Are.”
Alt text: Luke Combs tour announcement graphic, promoting his upcoming “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour” and encouraging fans to check for dates and tickets.
For more details on Luke Combs’ tour dates, fans can visit his official website.
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