Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Last Song Syndrome: Josh Turner’s “Hometown Girl”

Josh Turner's "Hometown Girl"
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Josh Turner’s “Hometown Girl” was off his multi-platinum-selling sixth studio album “Deep South.” It was released in May 2016 as the second single of the album, which earned him his fifth number-one single. Not to mention that over 87.5 million streams were recorded for the song.

The comeback hit was co-penned by veteran songwriter Marc Beeson who had a running list of hits since the early ’90s, which include Restless Heart’s “When She Cries.” Alongside him was Daniel Tashian, son of Barry and Holly Tashian, who also wrote songs for country artists like Tim McGraw.

“Hometown Girl” was inspired by Marc’s old high school crush and his childhood days in rural Illinois. In an interview with The Boot, Beeson recalled Dan was just playing out some music for him and thinking about this girl; he just kind of threw something at him. Then, the whole song came together easily after that.

The song was about a girl who didn’t forget how she was raised. And it was definitely something that listeners could relate to. As the lyric goes, “She couldn’t hide her beauty with a baseball cap/Couldn’t help but shine with a heart like that/ New York called when she turned 21/ But she never forgot where she came from.”

When Josh Turner first heard the song, it sounded like a hit to him. He noted that it had a vibe that would hold your attention. It was something different for him, but it still had the classic Josh Turner song’s ingredients – lyrics with a good message and a melody that catered to his voice. And that was exactly what he was looking for.

“Hometown Girl” by Josh Turner was a cliché country music concept but flavored with Turner’s deep baritone; the song got a different kind of charm. And it was the kind of song that gets stuck in a loop inside your head.

Enjoy Josh Turner’s “Hometown Girl” in the video below.

Latest Stories

Zach Bryan performs live on stage in a previous concert, wearing a sleeveless shirt and ball cap, as he announces a surprise $50 Red Rocks show set for August.

Zach Bryan Drops Surprise Red Rocks Show With a $50 Ticket Cap and a Promise to Keep It Real

While everyone else is out here selling pit passes for the price of a mortgage payment, Zach Bryan just dropped a $50 Red Rocks show like it was nothing. On ...

Mark Herndon plays drums on stage with a smile, wearing sunglasses and a bandana, representing his longtime role with country supergroup Alabama despite feeling like an outsider.

He Was Alabama’s Drummer for Years But Mark Herndon Says He Was Never Treated Like He Belonged

He played the beat behind the biggest country band in the world, but they made sure he knew his place. Off to the side. Mark Herndon was the guy in ...

The Dixie Chicks pose in front of an American flag in white T-shirts, with the words "FREE SPEECH" written on their arms—capturing the controversial moment that reshaped their career after 2003.

Whatever Happened to the Dixie Chicks After They Crossed the Line in 2003?

They weren’t canceled. They self-destructed and dared people to cheer for it. Back in 2003, the Dixie Chicks were sitting on top of the world. They were country music’s biggest ...

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard perform on stage together in 2015, each playing a guitar and singing into microphones, proving their legendary status with the success of their album Django and Jimmie.

On This Day in 2015, Willie and Merle Proved They Still Ran the Damn Game With “Django and Jimmie”

You can’t kill country legends, especially when they roll into town smoking pot and topping charts. On June 11, 2015, “Django and Jimmie” officially climbed to Number One on the ...

Hank Williams performs “Lovesick Blues” at the Grand Ole Opry in 1949, standing at the WSM microphone in a pinstripe suit and cowboy hat, holding an acoustic guitar during his historic debut.

On This Day in 1949, Hank Williams Stepped on the Opry Stage and Blew the Damn Roof Off

They tried to keep him out, but when Hank Williams finally hit the Grand Ole Opry stage, country music would never be the same. June 11, 1949. The Ryman Auditorium ...

John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN sit on a front porch singing a heartfelt acoustic rendition of “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” with John playing guitar and all three pouring raw emotion into the harmony.

John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN Team Up for a Soul-Crushing Take on “Go Rest High on That Mountain”

They didn’t win American Idol, but this performance says otherwise. John Foster, Breanna Nix, and IAMKNOWN reunited after the American Idol finale to deliver a stripped-down, straight-from-the-gut version of Vince ...

Miss Kay Robertson is struggling after Phil’s death, facing serious health issues and grief that cuts deep after 60 years of love, loss, and shared life.

Miss Kay Robertson ‘Not in the Best of Health’ After Phil’s Death According to Son Willie

She’s been with the same man for sixty years, and now she’s waking up every morning wondering why the damn house is so quiet. Phil Robertson is gone, and Miss ...

Trisha Yearwood performs passionately on stage in a black fringe dress, set to headline a benefit concert in Santa Barbara supporting first responders and wildfire-affected musicians.

Trisha Yearwood Set to Take the Stage in Santa Barbara to Raise Funds for First Responders

Country powerhouse Trisha Yearwood is heading west, and she’s bringing some real heart with her. The three-time Grammy winner has been tapped to headline the 2025 One805LIVE! benefit concert, an ...

Faith Hill beams backstage at CMA Fest 2025 in her first public appearance in two years, wearing a wide-brim hat and leather jacket while chatting with friends.

Faith Hill Stuns With Her First Public Appearance in Two Years After Stepping Out of the Spotlight

It’s been a long time since Faith Hill showed up where fans least expected her, especially without a microphone in hand. CMA Fest 2025 brought out just about everyone in ...

Faith Hill waves to the crowd on stage in a white dress, fueling speculation about her quiet retirement from country music after years of absence from the spotlight.

Did Faith Hill Quietly Step Away From Country Music? The Biggest Sign Yet She’s Retired

There’s going quiet, and then there’s straight-up ghosting a whole genre. Faith Hill hasn’t just taken a break from country music. She’s vanished. One of the biggest names in the ...