Jason Aldean on Teaming Up With Luke Bryan for ‘Songs About Us’: It Just ‘Made Sense’
Aldean admits the song is one of the “highlights” on his new album.
Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean; Photo by Cooper Smith
Jason Aldean’s just-released 12th studio album takes its title from the track “Songs About Us,” a duet with his longtime friend and fellow country superstar Luke Bryan. The two Georgia natives performed the song live for the first time during their history-making show in front of 63,000 fans at Sanford Stadium over the weekend, and ahead of the performance, both artists opened up about recording it together and why the collaboration felt like a natural fit.
“’Songs About Us,’ this is a duet I did with Luke, and one I’m really excited about. And this is just, to me, one of those songs, Luke and I are kinda from the same part of the world, grew up with a lot of the same influences of music and playing a lot of the same clubs with these songs that were soundtracks to our lives. You know, we felt like they were singing these songs about us. They were songs that we could relate to,” Aldean explained to his label. “And over the last 20 years, I think Luke and I, our songs have probably been the soundtrack for some other kids’ lives over the years. And so, he was the one that just kind of made sense for me to pull him on and be a part of this one. Really cool song that I think is gonna be one of the highlights of the record, which is why we named the album that.”
Bryan revealed that Aldean sent him the song over a text message, and after sitting with it for a bit, he knew it was the perfect fit for the two of them.
“I lived with it a little bit, and, you know, it just felt like something that was really, really the right thing for he and I to be on. And I was really just honored that he called and asked me,” Bryan shared.
He went on to explain that their shared upbringing and similar life experiences made the collaboration even more meaningful.
“And then when you think about what the song says, you know, it kind of references these topics that he and I have sang about for many, many years. And these are songs about us. Back when he and I grew up in Georgia, we were doing those things, bar stools and cold beer and dancing and cover bands. And so, yeah, it says a lot about us. And that’s why it really works for us to be on it together.”
Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan have shared a friendship that spans nearly two decades, dating back to when they were both rising through the country music ranks around the same time. While their schedules are packed with thriving careers and family life, they still make an effort to spend time together whenever they can, whether that’s out on the golf course, hunting, or fishing. But as Aldean explains, their bond runs much deeper than just those moments.
“Luke and I both obviously have our careers, and he’s doing American Idol stuff too. So, he’s out of town a lot and it’s sometimes hard for us to catch up. But, you know, we’ll see each other like out on the golf course somewhere or, you know, we like to hunt together, fish together, that kind of stuff, play golf,” he said. “So, I mean, it’s one of those things where, I mean, his family I’ve known, I’ve watched his boys grow up and he’s watched my kids grow up. And watching Bo now, his oldest boy, is a quarterback and he’s starting to get some D1 scholarships to go to college, and like those kinda things. So, it’s cool, like you’re invested more than just a friend. You’re invested in the family, and he and I’ve been friends for almost 20 years at this point, so it’s been a cool friendship cool relationship, and yes we work together and do that kinda stuff, but we also hang out and have business ventures and different things away from music, too.”
“Songs About Us” is one of 20 tracks featured on Aldean’s new album. The project also includes the chart-topping “How Far Does A Goodbye Go” and his latest radio single, “Don’t Tell On Me.”
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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