Dierks Bentley Joined Justin Moore On ‘Time’s Ticking’ After One Simple Text

Justin Moore didn’t have to pull any industry strings or jump through a lot of hoops to get Dierks Bentley to sing on the album version of his single, “Time’s Ticking.” All it took was a text between two artists whose paths have crossed many times over the past 20 years.

The tune was born during a writing session between Moore, Randy Montana, Will Bundy and Jeremy Stover at a Florida Panhandle property back in February of 2023. As the story was coming together, Moore admits he could already hear Bentley’s rugged vocals making the perfect addition. Still, he was still hesitant to reach out in fear that he would be bothering him.

“I text him. I said, ‘Man…’ I’m very bad at askin’ favors. I always feel as though I’m bothering people. Maybe that’s not the case, but that’s the way I feel. And so, I texted Dierks and go, ‘Man, I hate to bug you, but I had this song,’” Moore recalls. “So, he texts me right back and said, ‘Man, I’d be honored. Let’s do it.’”

With a resounding “yes” from Dierks Bentely, the two moved forward with creating the new version of the song. This collaboration also marks a full circle moment from the artists, due to the fact that they both moved to Nashville in the early 2000’s with goals of chasing their dreams in the booming genre of country music. They’ve watched each other work their way up the ladder for over two decades and now they can finally say that their voices have found a home together.

“To have Dierks Bentley on it, who’s a great friend and a great parent, and just an all -around great person, and somebody I have a lot of respect for – to have him on it … for him to do it and do such a great job with it, it makes the song even that much more special,” Moore told his label.

“Time’s Ticking” has a pretty “simple” message, according to Moore. It was Jeremy Stover who brough the idea for the title, after he was inspired while reflecting on the feeling that time moves far too fast, especially in the realm of parenthood.  

 “My kids are getting a little older,” Stover shared with Billboard “and just thinking on some of the moments I’ve missed, but also some of the ones I’ve been there for — you know, the ones I’ve been there for have been really, really valuable, and I appreciate a lot. That’s a big part of where that comes from.”

From there, the songwriters added in bits and pieces of their creativity until the entire song was complete. This song offers a clear reminder to slow down and focus on what really matters. It starts with a quiet, reflective scene of a man watching a funeral procession pass by as he pulls into a Kwik Sak. He’s suddenly hit with the realization that life is fragile and fleeting. That moment triggers a shift in perspective, captured through powerful lyrics that urge listeners to start savoring the small things like calling your mom, kissing your kids, and making memories with friends.

They sing, “So call your mama, kiss your babies/ Pick the one some roadside daisies/ Drink a beer with back-home buddies/ Make a memory, not just money/ Spinner bait a good honey hole/ Sunday drive’s good for the soul/ Put a little slow in your roll or you’re gonna miss it/ Time’s a-ticking.”

Justin Moore’s recording of “Time’s Ticking” with Dierks Bentley appears on 2024’s This Is My Dirt album. The project also features collaborations with Randy Houser on “The Worst” and Blake Shelton on “Beer Ain’t One.”