Gabby Barrett Recalls The Moment Luke Combs Sent Her The Song ‘Dance Like No One’s Watching’

Gabby Barrett opens up about the moment Luke Combs sent her a demo of what is now her newest single, “Dance Like No One’s Watching,” and what was going through her head the first time she listened to the stunning tune. 

Combs serves as a co-writer on the track alongside Emily Weisband and James McNair, both of whom are also writers on Barrett’s previous single, “Glory Days.” In an interview with Kelleigh Bannen on Today’s Country Radio on Apple Music Country, the songstress explains she was in the bathtub when Combs texted her saying he had a new song that might fit in well with her current stage of life. 

“I’m in the tub, in the bath… [Luke] just texted me and said, ‘Hey, I wrote this song with a couple friends and…’ Side note, it’s so funny, the people he wrote it with, Emily Weisband and James McNair, actually wrote ‘Glory Days;… and several other songs on the album, but he sent me a text and just said, ‘Hey, we wrote this song and we haven’t shared it. We told our publishers not to share it with anybody. I just want you to hear it first. It doesn’t make sense for me to sing.”

Why Didn’t Luke Combs Record The Song?

She went on to say that the song was likely written when Combs’ wife Nicole was pregnant with their second child, a son. At that time, Barrett was already a mom of two kids and was preparing to welcome her third child, a daughter named Ivy Josephine Foehner who arrived on February 17, 2024. 

Combs saw Barrett as the right artist to tell the sentimental story of a father-daughter relationship. Being a daddy’s girl herself and getting to watch her eldest daughter, Baylah May, have that special connection with Cade Foehner, the heartfelt lyrics and tender melody struck a chord with Barrett and she decided to record it for her latest album, Chapter & Verse, which dropped on February 2. 

“I was listening to the verse and I was like, ‘Okay, this is so pretty,’ and then I heard the chorus and where it soared to and then where it landed at, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so pretty.’ I was so excited about it.”

Although Combs didn’t share the same personal connection to the lyrics as Barrett, he contributed his vocals in the background, adding a layer of warmth to the track.

Hitting Airwaves On April 8

“Dance Like No One’s Watching” will officially impact country radio on Monday, April 8, meaning it arrives just in time for wedding season. The song is fueled by nostalgia and acts as the perfect soundtrack to any father-daughter dance as it paints a beautiful picture of a father passing down his wisdom to his little girl as he watches her go through various chapters in life.

“Daddy, dance like no one’s watchin’ whatever you do/ And if life gives you love, then fall in, but always be you/ Oh, I know it’s a big world an it’s so easy to get lost in/ So, dance like no one’s watchin’,” Barrett and Combs sing on the chorus in seamless harmony. 

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“Chapter & Verse” Gives An Intimate Look Inside Gabby Barrett’s Life

This is just one of 14 songs on Barrett’s Chapter & Verse album that gives insight into her life as a 23-year-old mom who is still learning how to navigate life while also balancing work and faith. 

The Warner Music Nashville multi-platinum star co-produced the album alongside Ross Copperman and serves as a co-writer on nine of the tracks. The project was mostly recorded at Nashville’s iconic Blackbird Studio and features fan favorites like “Cowboy Back,” “Growin’ Up Raising You,” “You’re My Texas,” and “Glory Days.”

Gabby Barrett is currently taking a much-needed break from touring to spend time at home with her family.  She is scheduled to return to the stage on July 25 in Mulvane, KS.