"Hang Tight Honey" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in May 2024 as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Whirlwind.[1] It was written by Wilson, Jason Nix, Paul Sikes, and Driver Williams, and was produced by Jay Joyce.
| "Hang Tight Honey" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Lainey Wilson | ||||
| from the album Whirlwind | ||||
| Released | May 20, 2024 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:10 | |||
| Label | BBR | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Jay Joyce | |||
| Lainey Wilson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editLyrically, "Hang Tight Honey" was inspired by Wilson's life on the road as a touring performer yearning for home and spending time with her boyfriend, though the melody and beat are described as "infectious" and indicative of Wilson's live set.[2] Wilson co-wrote the "countrified funk-rock hybrid" with Jason Nix, Paul Sikes, and Driver Williams. Wilson spoke on the single saying: "I've been runnin' the roads nonstop for a few years now and I ain't gonna lie to y'all, sometimes it can be tough being away from home that much. At the same time, remembering what 'home' is and the things that I get to do for the ones I love because of the work I put in is what keeps me going and makes it all worthwhile".[3]
It follows promotional single, "Country's Cool Again", which will also be included on Whirlwind and shares its name with her headlining tour that began May 31, 2024 in Nashville.[4]
Live performances
editWilson first debuted the song live, alongside a cover of "God Blessed Texas", when she opened the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards on May 16, 2024.[5] Wilson performed the song live on the 25th season finale of The Voice on May 21, 2024,[6] with Reba McEntire surprising her with an invite to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.[7]
Music video
editThe music video for "Hang Tight Honey" was directed by Dano Cerny[8] and premiered on July 3, 2024.[9] In it, Wilson is shown in two distinct getups for a vintage variety TV show performance, with a 1960s-inspired pale blue pantsuit with high hair in one look, and Wilson's more traditional regalia of a cowboy hat and bell bottoms in the other. These scenes are interspersed with shots following Wilson and her band as they travel the country in her tour bus.[10] The video ends with a "To Be Continued..." teaser, ahead of the July 4, 2024, premiere for the music video for "4x4xU", another promotional single from Whirlwind.[10]
Chart performance
edit"Hang Tight Honey" debuted on the Billboard Country Airplay chart at number 23.[11]
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country (Billboard)[12] | 26 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 89 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[14] | 17 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] | 25 |
References
edit- ^ "Country Aircheck Weekly May 13, 2024, Issue 909" (PDF). Country Aircheck. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ Alex Hopper (May 17, 2024). "The Assuring Meaning Behind "Hang Tight Honey" by Lainey Wilson". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ Clayton Edwards (May 16, 2024). "Lainey Wilson Brings Her Hard-Working New Single "Hang Tight Honey" to the 2024 ACM Awards". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ Marcus K. Dowling (May 12, 2024). "Lainey Wilson releases 'empowering' new single 'Hang Tight Honey'". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ Charisma Madarang (May 16, 2024). "Lainey Wilson Opens 2024 ACMs With 'Hang Tight Honey'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Performs "Hang Tight Honey"". NBC. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Rebecca Angel Baer (May 22, 2024). "Reba McEntire Surprises Lainey Wilson With Opry Invite On 'The Voice' Season Finale". Soutern Living. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "WATCH: Lainey Wilson's "Hang Tight Honey"". Nashville.com. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson – Hang Tight Honey (Official Music Video)". YouTube. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Joseph Hudak (July 3, 2024). "It's the Lainey Wilson Revue in New Video for 'Hang Tight Honey'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.