"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 | 3:15 | |||
| Label | BBR | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Jay Joyce | |||
| Lainey Wilson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Hang Tight Honey" on YouTube | ||||
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 was also 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 in May 2024.[11] "Hang Tight Honey" peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in July 2024, becoming Wilson's first single to miss the top 10 since her debut single "Dirty Looks".[12]
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] | 81 |
| Canada Country (Billboard)[14] | 3 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 61 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 13 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[16] | 19 |
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". Southern 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.
- ^ a b "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2024.