Gabby Barrett Shares Her Personal Connection To ‘In On It’ And Teases What’s Ahead [Exclusive]

For Gabby Barrett, the most meaningful songs are the ones that allow listeners to see themselves in the story. That’s exactly what drew her to “In On It,” a powerful ballad that shares a message about trusting the bigger picture even when life’s challenges are difficult to understand.

Over the years, the songstress has built close relationships with esteemed songwriters who understand her artistry and know when they’ve written something that would perfectly complement her catalog. The single, written by Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins, and Jimi Bell, was sent to Barrett and she immediately fell in love with it.

“I loved everything about it. I loved the message. I loved the movement of the song. It felt really good. We’re actually performing it live already now at shows and it’s been received really well by folks. And so that’s all you can hope for really,” she told Country Now.

It was the compassion and raw honesty woven throughout the lyrics that immediately resonated with Barrett. She recalls feeling a personal connection to the song’s reminder that even the most uncertain seasons of life serve a greater purpose, even when that isn’t clear in the moment.

“I think the song is really about looking back on your life and realizing that even when you can’t understand something going on or couldn’t understand what was happening, that God already knew where the story was headed,” she shared. “And I feel like we’ve all had moments that didn’t make sense in real time, but later you realize they were leading you somewhere better. And so that’s really what the song is about, trusting that there can be purpose even before you can see it.”

The “I Hope” singer specifically remembers the uncertainty she felt early on in her career before and during her American Idol days. She was working so hard day in and day out to turn her dreams into a reality, not knowing if it would all be worth it in the end.

“It’s just like you don’t truly know what the outcome is going to be even when you’re in the midst of a hard season. But I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older that it’s really helpful having this mindset of believing that things are going to work out for the good in the end,” she pointed out.

Gabby Barrett’s clear and commanding vocals shine through behind each lyric, built around a steady production that gradually grows in intensity and allows her voice to take center stage before amplifying the powerful message. Throughout the track, she depicts everyday people facing challenges like a farmer fighting to save his land, a single mother working tirelessly to provide for her children, and a child facing a life-threatening illness.

By sharing these stories, Barrett captures the struggle of wanting answers and learning to trust the path set by the man above, but beneath it all is a reminder of hope.

“Keep betting on a dream even when you can’t win on it/ Keep holding on when you’re way out on a limb on it/ Might be your hands but he’s got his fingerprints on it/ God’s got a plan even if you ain’t in on it/ Take all the nights that you don’t think that you can take anymore/ Take all the weight that you can’t carry, let it fall to the floor/ Lift up your hands and put an amen on it/ God’s got a plan even if you ain’t in on it,” she sings on the chorus.

“In On It” serves as the Pennsylvania native’s first release of 2026 and sets the tone for the next chapter of music that she’s working on.

“It felt like the right song to introduce people to where I’m headed creatively,” she pointed out.

“I think they can expect a lot of honesty with my music. I want songs that people want to live with, not just hear once,” Barrett continued. “So songs that make you laugh and make you think and make you feel something and hopefully become part of people’s lives. In regard to the next record, I’m still letting it become what it’s supposed to be, which is honestly my favorite way to make a record. I don’t like forcing a scene too early. I just want to chase the very best songs and let the world naturally reveal itself as we continue to nail that down. So I would say that’s a good idea of creatively where I’m going.”

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With her next collection of songs in the works, Barrett is also gearing up to join Parker McCollum’s 2026 tour, starting July 24 at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.

“It’s always very exciting to be put in front of potentially some new fans and again, hope that they can connect to your music and find themselves in the midst of it. And you never know. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll pop up and do a song with him or something at some point and that would be really fun, but definitely excited.”

Joining her on the road will be her husband, Cade Foehner, who typically plays lead guitar for her band and their three children.

“I really enjoy having them there. It’s literally like take your kids to work. I can have it all just mixed into one, which is so nice…it is truly like living the dream.”