Drew Baldridge Shares Meaning Behind ‘Rebel’ As He Prepares To Hit The Road With Luke Bryan [Exclusive]
“This is a song we just really saw react with the crowd like we’ve never had a song react before…”
Drew Baldridge; Photo by Riley Mays
Drew Baldridge makes a powerful statement with his latest single, “Rebel.”
Co-written by Baldridge and Adam Sanders and produced by Zach Crowell and Nick Schwarz, “Rebel” flips the meaning of its title, delivering a message centered on integrity and traditional values in a world where bad behavior is often celebrated. Throughout the song, Baldridge reflects on today’s culture, calling attention to how controversy and recklessness can earn praise while asking the pointed question, “When did wrong become right and right become wrong?”
Rather than conforming to shifting norms, Baldridge stands firm in his beliefs, promising to never abandon the morals he was raised on. In his eyes, being a rebel today simply means choosing to do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
“I’m gonna stand my ground / Ain’t gonna back down / Make sure my last name ain’t stained and stands on integrity / I’m gonna stay true to my woman / And true to my roots,” Baldridge sings.
While chatting with Country Now backstage at the Grand Ole Opry during the recent Conservation Aid event, Baldridge offered insight into the song, admitting it has been earning a strong reaction from crowds since day one.
“This is a song we just really saw react with the crowd like we’ve never had a song react before,” he pointed out. “And I think it just comes at a time where we really need this message.”
According to Baldridge, the message behind “Rebel” is often misunderstood, prompting him to explain exactly what inspired the song.
“Some people have asked me, ‘Is this politically charged or anything like that?’ I’m like, ‘No, this is about loving people,’” he explained. “The hook says, ‘If the whole wide world wants to dance with the devil, you could call me a rebel.’ And I think we need more of that in today’s society. You’re scrolling through, you’re seeing all the fights, you’re seeing the hate from one side, the hate from the other side…And this song is just about being the rebel, being the one that loves everybody.”
He continued, “That’s what fires me up is I think we need more people standing up for that, standing up for love, standing up for what they believe is right. And it’s crazy to think that these days a rebel is that.”
Baldridge went on to share that the fans’ reaction to the song is what prompted him to officially release it as a single.
“This was a clear choice for me because I saw the reaction live. When we were playing it live, we were getting standing ovations. Everybody was like, ‘Nobody’s saying this. We need an artist to stand up for love. We need an artist to stand up for these great messages about being a great husband, being a great role model for your kids.’ And that’s something that I always want to be. This song is totally exactly who I am and what I want to stand for.”
Now a staple in his setlist, fans can expect to hear Baldridge perform “Rebel” when he joins Luke Bryan on the road this summer for the superstar’s Word on the Street Tour. Baldridge says the opportunity to tour with Bryan is a dream come true, noting that he has long admired the country hitmaker and looked up to him throughout his career.
“Luke has been somebody I’ve always looked up to for years. I mean, even in high school, I remember giving a speech about somebody that inspired me and I gave my speech on Luke Bryan. I wrote this whole thing about how he was a country artist and it was something that I always dreamed of doing,” the Illinois native revealed. “And so now being able to say we’re going out on tour with Luke is crazy to me. I mean, I couldn’t ask for a better tour with just the kind of music that I like, the kind of music that I put out. I think it fits very well with what Luke does and his fans are going to be our fans. And I’m just very, very, very excited about it and also very humbled. I’ve been in Nashville for 14 years now. And to think Luke’s given me this chance to trust me to go out there and open and get his crowd hyped up to get him out on stage.”
Baldridge says he’ll never take the opportunity for granted.
Fans can catch Baldridge on the road with Bryan as well as Cody Johnson and at several festivals throughout the year.
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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