Hear Tim McGraw’s Introspective New Single, ‘Standing Room Only’

“‘Standing Room Only’ caught my ear the first time I heard it because of its message,” McGraw says.

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

March 10, 2023

at

10:17 am

Share on:

Tim McGraw; Photo by Robby Klein

Tim McGraw encourages listeners to live life to the fullest in his just-released new track, “Standing Room Only.” 

Serving as the lead single and title track off McGraw’s forthcoming 17th studio album, “Standing Room Only” finds McGraw longing to find balance in his life while honoring the things that matter most. In living life this way, he hopes that he will have no regrets when his life comes to an end. 

“I wanna live a life / Live a life / Like a dollar and the clock on the wall don’t own me / Shine a light, shine a light / Like mama’s front porch when I’m lost and lonely / Start forgiving and start forgetting / Be somebody that’s worth rememberin’ / Live a life so when I die / There’s standing room only, standing room only,” he sings. 

Standing Room Only Artwork
Standing Room Only Artwork

He Encourages Listeners To Live Life To The Fullest

The song conveys a similar message to McGraw’s 2004 chart-topping hit “Live Like You Were Dying.” That’s not just a coincidence as Craig Wiseman was a co-writer on both tracks (“Standing Room Only” was written by Wiseman with Tommy Cecil and Patrick Murphy, while “Live Like You Were Dying” was written by Wiseman and Tim Nichols). 

The country superstar says he immediately connected to the message of the song and hopes it will inspire others.   

“‘Standing Room Only’ caught my ear the first time I heard it because of its message. For me, this song is so positive and life-affirming,” McGraw, who co-produced the song with  Byron Gallimore, explained in a statement. “It isn’t about the funeral or the procession, it’s about how we live in the here and now. How do we push ourselves and in which direction do we push ourselves? For me, it’s a reminder to live a life filled with gratitude and not take things for granted. Also, it’s a reminder to give back and be there for others.”

Listen

YouTube video

The Louisiana native first teased his new single by releasing a mysterious playlist of his songs, dubbed McGraw Three-ten Twenty Three. The playlist hinted at the release date of the tune and featured song titles that spelled out “Standing Room Only” with the first letter of each track.

“Standing Room Only” follows Tim McGraw’s 45th No. 1 hit, “7500 OBO.” 

“7500 OBO” continues McGraw’s streak of having a No. 1 song and No. 1 album each of the past four decades. The tune was also voted as a “10 Songs I Wish I Had Written” by NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International). 

Tim McGraw’s new single marks his first release since the deluxe edition of his 16th studio album, HERE ON EARTH. The album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country album chart, was his 19th worldwide No. 1 and his 17th U.S. No. 1, tying him for second-most #1 albums in the U.S., just behind George Strait.

The three-time GRAMMY winner wrapped a successful 2022 tour, which included a run of sold-out amphitheaters and dozens of festival performances. 

Later this year, McGraw will perform at several festivals in North America, including Tailgate N’ Tallboys, Country Concert 2023, Country Thunder Saskatchewan, Country Jam USA 2023, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Neon Nights, Boots & Hearts, Country Thunder Alberta, Coastal Country Jam and more. 

For more information on McGraw’s upcoming concert schedule can be found at www.TimMcGraw.com.

Tim McGraw; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Tim McGraw; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

TIM MCGRAW TOUR DATES 

Sun Apr 2 – Houston, TX – NCAA Final Four Fan Fest

Sat Apr 29 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena

Sat May 20 — Detroit, MI – Pine Knobb Music Theatre

Fri Jun 9 – Clinton, IA – Tailgate N’ Tallboys

Thur Jul 6 – Fort Loramie, OH – Country Concert 2023

Sat Jul 15 – Craven, Saskatchewan – Country Thunder Saskatchewan

Sat Jul 22 – Eau Claire, WI – Country Jam USA 2023

Thurs July 27 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Frontier Days

Sat Aug 12 – North Lawrence, OH – Neon Nights

Sun Aug 13 – Oro-medonte, ON – Boots & Hearts

Sat Aug 19 – Calgary, AB – Country Thunder Alberta

Sun Sep 17 – Long Beach, CA – Coastal Country Jam

Share on:

Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.