Ever heard of bell bottom country?
If you haven’t, country up-and-comer Lainey Wilson explains it as “country with a flare.”
The Louisiana native may have come from a small town, but it’s quite a contrast to her big, infectious, free-spirited personality. Her current single “Things A Man Oughta Know” just cracked the top 60 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and a few of her songs have also been featured in the hit television series Yellowstone, known for having some of the best music around.
With her distinct style and unique perspective, she’s on the fast track to country music stardom and undoubtedly a name to watch. Here are six of my favorite Lainey Wilson tunes to get you warmed up.
1. “Rolling Stone”
If you’re the kinda girl who isn’t looking to settle down any time soon, this song feels like she’s reading your mind. Lainey cautions “you don’t give a rock to a rolling stone.” If you fool yourself into thinking otherwise, it’s on you and she’s here to tell you why from first-hand experience.
2. “Middle Finger”
If you think Lainey Wilson is one to mince words, she has something to say about that. It’s a thank-you note to her middle finger for a slew of things ‘she’s’ been there for over Lainey’s life and it’s downright hilarious. Forget diamonds, it’s the best friend a girl could ever ask for.
3. “Indian Giver”
This song reminds me of early Miranda Lambert. Lainey finds herself lamenting a man after a relationship doesn’t work out. It ends abruptly after her ex finds a new girl seemingly out of nowhere, but be sure Lainey has more than a few things to tell you about what went down.
4. “Things A Man Oughta Know”
From her 2019 Redneck Hollywood EP, “Things A Man Oughta Know” finds Lainey pondering why and how a man could do a lot of things he does from a woman’s perspective. It’s insightful, heartbreaking, and totally worth a listen.
5. “WWDD”
Her anthem to the great Dolly Parton, the acronym stands for “what would Dolly do?” And if you’re not asking yourself this question on the daily, Lainey makes the compelling argument that it should always stay in the back of your mind. The only way to really describe it is…. So. Much. Fun.
6. “Sunday Best”
It’s a groovy, bluesy track where Wilson finds herself telling the preacher’s son to go to Hell. She skips church and winds up in her Sunday best… smoking on a back road. Equal parts sassy and honest, it shows off the best of her personality and wit.
Lainey Wilson joined us on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast to talk country music in the midst of quarantine, drinking whiskey, the beaver in her yard, Ashley McBryde, her new puppy “Hippie,” building a real audience, writing over Zoom and Louisiana.
