Koe Wetzel Drops ‘Damn Near Normal,’ An Anthem For Those Living Outside Of Society’s Expectations

Like many touring artists, Koe Wetzel embodies a lifestyle far from what many people would deem normal. Constantly traveling the country, he resides in a tour bus, captivating crowds numbering in the thousands night after night while on the road. While this kind of lifestyle may seem strange to some, it’s the only way of life Wetzel knows and he sings about it in his just-released single, “Damn Near Normal.” 

Who Wrote ‘Damn Near Normal?’

The Texas native co-wrote this new release with Gabe Simon (Lana Del Rey, Noah Kahan, Dua Lipa), Amy Allen (Justin Bieber, The Chainsmokers, Harry Styles), Carrie Karpinen and artist Sam Harris. The personal lyrics shed light on Wetzel’s life behind the curtain and dive deep into the emotions he experiences when reflecting on the path in life he chose. 

‘Damn Near Normal’ Lyrics

“Real job, good wife, two kids/ Don’t know what exit I missed/ And this road I’m on, is kinda dark alone/ Fake job, no wife, no kids/ Can’t believe I’m living like this/ I’m always alone with no way home/ And here we go again, spiraling,” he sings on the first verse. 

By the chorus, Wetzel admits to turning succumbing to his vices as he sings, “And I’m all turned up like the Rio Grande/ Drink 10 times the weight of a sober man / Ain’t starting my day until 2 am, and I hate it, so I’m taking / A little melatonin, and a bag of weed plus a fistful of xan’s just to fall asleep / Yeah it’s kind of different than it’s supposed to be, but that’s damn near normal to me.” 

Of the song, the genre-bending star shares, “‘Damn Near Normal’ is a song about this lifestyle that is anything but. Waking up somewhere new on the road every day, up playing music all hours of the night with our fans… this is a wild ride we’re on that looks totally different than most people’s ‘normal’ … but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Watch The Music Video

For the music video, Wetzel took fans on a trip down memory lane, returning to his childhood home in Texas. Directed by John Park, the clip finds the country rocker reminiscing on the past as he looks through scrapbooks, watching his life flash before his eyes. He also visits his high school, a local restaurant, and a nearby marina in the four-minute video.     

The Track Is Quickly Resonating With Fans

While the song applies directly to Wetzel’s life, listeners may also find themselves within the lyrics. If you’ve ever felt as if your personal reality is a contrast from what society expects from you, this song will certainly resonate. One glance at the comments section of the “Damn Near Normal” music video proves the power of this song.  

One user wrote, “With all that I’ve been through, raising my kids alone trying to figure out wth I did wrong and how it’s not how I pictured this life was supposed to be like, this song sums what I’ve been feeling for the last few years, it’s damn near normal to me. Some people’s heroes wear capes, mine are covered in tats and save people through their music.”

Another shared, “My heart goes out to those who wonder what exit they missed, feeling in a spiral… wondering how they’re ‘living like this’… such a beautiful heavy song.”

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On Tour In 2024

Taking his new music on the road this year, Koe Wetzel is set to headline several major festivals in 2024, including Rock the Country, Tortuga, Cattle Country, Country Thunder, Country Jam, Watershed, and more. Additionally, fans can catch the singer/songwriter headlining dates across California and opening for Morgan Wallen in Arlington, Texas this July.