Cole Swindell Shares Heartfelt Message With Fans After New Song ‘Make Heaven Crowded’ Soars On Streaming Charts
Swindell admits, “this may be the most important song of my career.”
Photo Courtesy Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell’s new song, “Make Heaven Crowded,” is making a major impact with fans.
The country hitmaker first teased the faith-driven track on September 20, just 10 days after the assassination of conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. Swindell revealed that he felt inspired to write the song after hearing a moving tribute from Kirk’s widow, Erika, who spoke publicly for the first time following her husband’s passing. In her remarks, she said, “Charlie, you are alongside Jesus right now, doing what you always wanted to do. Making heaven crowded, right? That’s what it’s all about.”
Soon after, Swindell joined forces with Greylan James, Joel Hutsell, and Blake Pendergrass to bring the song to life.
Driven by overwhelming fan demand, Swindell quickly released the song, which officially hit streaming platforms on Friday. In the days that followed, he was blown away by its “unbelievable” success, as it soared to No. 2 on the all-genre chart and claimed the No. 1 spot on the country chart.
To show his gratitude, Swindell filmed a video message thanking fans for their support.
“I just wanted to say thanks again because it truly does mean the world… supporting me, my music, but this is bigger than that. This is bigger than anything I’ve ever been a part of musically because of the message,” Swidell began. “I’ve had some stuff that hopefully have helped people through everyday life or tough situations, but we’re talking about eternity here. This isn’t just everyday life and I don’t know, just your reaction, response. It makes me so hopeful, and I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling this way when we wrote the song, but to see the reaction just confirms that.”
He went on to urge fans, “we cannot stop now,” telling them: “Y’all be strong. Too many times we go through things that bring us all together and as time passes, we slowly drift back apart. But let’s not do that this time. Let this song be a reminder that we can do this. We can do better, be good to each other. Let’s tell somebody about Jesus.”
“Make Heaven Crowded” is a heartfelt ballad that finds Swindell questioning what things would be like if more people accepted Jesus into their hearts.
“What if churches had a longer line outside/ Than all them bars on Friday nights? What if people prayed for people who ain’t on their side? What if good ran off the bad? Them streets of gold up there’d be packed/ This whole world would look a lot better than we found it/ If we make Heaven crowded,” he sings.
He previously opened up about the song, admitting that becoming a father has changed his perspective on the world.
“I was inspired by Erika’s [Kirk] speech,” said Swindell. “A phrase I had heard before but I hadn’t heard it in a moment like that. It literally stopped me in my tracks and ultimately moved me to write ‘Make Heaven Crowded’. The heartbreak I felt, and still feel, for her and their kids was so heavy thinking about my wife and baby girl. I knew I had to get those feelings out of my heart and head and down on paper.”
He admitted the response he received from fans was “unlike any reaction I’ve ever had to a song” and recognized that “this may be the most important song of my career.”
“Make Heaven Crowded” is available now across all streaming services.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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