Country singer Lainey Wilson’s discography isn’t just a string of solo hits. Over the years, she has also steadily stacked up her collaboration resume — earning several number ones from them — and solidified her name as a coveted duet partner by many artists, from the likes of legends like Dolly Parton down to new names in the genre like Jelly Roll.
Here are five of our favorite collaborations you shouldn’t miss out on. We also recommend you put these on your rotation of Lainey Wilson songs.
1. “More Than Friends”
Lainey Wilson joined Lukas Nelson and his band, Promise of the Real, for the first track of their eighth studio album and self-produced project, Sticks and Stones. It’s a fun, flirty, and playful song about two people who are on the verge of risking it all and jumping into something “More Than Friends.” And the duet is as steamy as steamy could get.
In an interview with the singer-guitarist and son of the legendary Willie Nelson, he said that he has always envisioned the song as a duet, and he was a big fan of Lainey. “She was at the top of my list of artists I wanted to sing with me on this track. When we sent her the song, I was thrilled to hear back that she loved it and wanted to do it,” he shared.
2. “Never Say Never”
Another romantic duet off of Wilson’s list is her collaboration with Cole Swindell, “Never Say Never,” which Swindell co-wrote with Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill. But this time, it’s about two lovers who knew they were better off apart but felt they shouldn’t. They were too alive to let go of each other.
The song was released as the second single off Swindell’s album Stereotype. And they really hit it off with the people, earning them the 55th spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and a two-week run as number one on Country Airplay.
Just like Nelson, Swindell also knew from the very start that the song was a duet. He was a huge fan of Wilson, too, so he decided to gauge her interest in collaborating and texted her. He didn’t receive a reply until three-and-a-half minutes later – which he described as the longest three-and-a-half minutes of his life. It was a yes. “She’s such a great songwriter herself, I knew she was going to be a tough critic,” he said.
3. “Wait in the Truck”
Wilson and HARDY’s collaboration “Wait in the Truck” is a switch-up from the usual romantic duets the singer does as it goes for a soul-stirring murder ballad. The track, written by HARDY along with Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, and Renee Blair, tells the story of how a man who rescued an abused, hitchhiking woman on the side of the road took retribution into his own hands by shooting the woman’s abuser.
According to Wilson, “This one is going to start a conversation that a lot of people don’t want to have, but it is our job as artists to sing about things that people are [sometimes] scared to talk about.” The song was the lead single of HARDY’s album The Mockingbird & The Crow.
For You
It hit number 2 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, was certified Platinum—twice—by the RIAA, and even won an ACM and a CMA.
4. “Save Me”
It’s a no-brainer to include the Grammy-nominated duet by Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson in this list.
Jelly Roll wanted a superstar to join him for the duet version of “Save Me” for his album Whitsitt Chapel, which he first released as a solo single years before. And the head of his record label pulled the “Watermelon Moonshine” singer for him. It was a match made in heaven, as Wilson powerfully delivered the pain in the song and drove it home to win both of them an ACM.
5. “Mama, He’s Crαzy”
If “Save Me” with Jelly Roll was a no-brainer, “Mama, He’s Crαzy” with Dolly Parton is a must-include. It would be a sin if this weren’t.
While all the above listed are original songs with Wilson featuring in them, this one’s a tribute cover. The singer teamed up with the legendary figure in the genre, Dolly Parton, to cover the second single off of the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Judds’ debut EP, Wynonna & Naomi.
As a bonus, you should also add Wilson’s collaboration with Wynonna Judd for the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers classic “Refugee.”
Make sure you listen to all of these Lainey Wilson collaborations. They are worth your time. We promise.
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