Jake Owen Puts the ‘Pedal to the Metal’ with New Single ‘Best Thing Since Backroads’

Country hitmaker Jake Owen is continuing his red-hot streak at country radio with the release of his brand new single,…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

August 13, 2021

Jake Owen; Photo by Matt Paskert

Country hitmaker Jake Owen is continuing his red-hot streak at country radio with the release of his brand new single, “Best Thing Since Backroads.”

Co-written by Ben Johnson, Jordan Minton, Hunter Phelps and Geoff Warburton, and produced by Joey Moi, the foot-stomping country love song was an instant hit at radio with 85 stations adding the track to rotation in the first week.

“It’s always exciting releasing new music,” Owen shares. “It feels great being back out on the road and bringing happiness to people. I always strive to record songs that make you feel good. This one is going to be a lot of fun to play.”

Infused with Owen’s signature country/rock sound “Best Thing Since Backroads” finds the Florida native comparing his lover to a ride down a country road.

“You’re the best thing since backroads, baby/ Pedal to the metal with the windows down/ Sunshine setting on a cross that saved me/ Hanging from a rearview in red dirt clouds/ Two-lane heaven’s one hell of a view/ But it ain’t got nothing on you/ Driving this good old country boy crazy/ You’re the best thing since back roads, baby,” he sings on the chorus.

“Best Thing Since Backroads” is the lead single from Owen’s forthcoming, yet-to-be-announced studio album.

“For a first single off a new project to have this type of momentum is super exciting,” he admits. “I’m very thankful for the continued support from Country radio, and of course my incredible Big Loud team!”

Click above to listen to Jake Owen’s “Best Thing Since Backroads.”

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.