Lainey Wilson’s ‘Smell Like Smoke’ From ‘Yellowstone’ Is Eligible For An Emmy

Wilson debuted the song during the 5th Season of “Yellowstone.”

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Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

April 19, 2023

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Lainey Wilson; Photo: Chad Wadsworth/CBS

Lainey Wilson’s “Smell Like Smoke,” which debuted on Yellowstone, could be eligible for an Emmy Award. 

The country superstar’s song will be submitted for an Emmy nomination in the category, Outstanding Music and Lyrics for her song, “Smell Like Smoke,” which appeared in Paramount Network’s Yellowstone.

The current ACM Female Artist Of The Year nominee made her acting debut during the 5th season of Yellowstone, where she starred as a musician named Abby, a character that was created with her style, personality and mannerisms in mind.

The Song Debuted On The Hit Show

Lainey Wilson; Photo Courtesy Yellowstone/ Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson; Photo Courtesy Yellowstone/ Lainey Wilson

“It’s pretty much me. And it’s cool, I’m getting to sing my own songs, I’m getting to wear my get-up, I just go by the name Abby, so it’s awesome. It really is,” Wilson previously explained.

Throughout Wilson’s time on Yellowstone, she performed several original tunes while acting as Abby, including “Smell Like Smoke,” which was featured in the season premiere of the hit series.

The Louisiana native recently sat down with Variety to chat about “Smell Like Smoke.” Wilson explained to the outlet that the song “centers around four pillars that make ‘Yellowstone’ what it is — cowboys, heartbreak, self-assurance and faith.”

The tune allows Wilson’s fierce and bold spirit to shine as she sings about her hard-hitting resilience as she goes through hell and back with a no-nonsense attitude. 

Lainey Wilson; Photo by Jamie Schramm\CMA
Lainey Wilson; Photo by Jamie Schramm, CMA

Co-written by Wilson alongside Monty Criswell, Derek George and Lynn Hutton, “Smell Like Smoke” also finds the reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year staying true to her roots and remaining proud of who she is and where she’s from. 

“Derek came up with the signature guitar lick at the beginning of the song and tracked the original demo, while Monty and I fiddled around with lyrics and Lynn steered the melodies,” Wilson recalled.

Wilson then explained that the song “was a little rough around the edges, but with good energy, which we thought was perfect for ‘Yellowstone.’”

She admitted that she thought a song about “owning tough times in a proud, matter-of-fact, light-hearted way” perfectly fit the experiences of Beth and Monica Dutton on the show and later added that the song “would tie in well with the way the show makes the down-and-dirty look sexy and fun.”

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The tune appears on Lainey Wilson’s sophomore album, Bell Bottom Country, which arrived on October 28, 2022, via BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records. The project features 14 tracks, including her chart-topping single “Heart Like A Truck,” as well as the fan-favorite hits “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Atta Girl,” “Hold My Halo,” a cover of 4 Non Blondes classic hit “What’s Up (What’s Going On)” and more.

“I’ve lived quite a bit of life the past few years, and I have a lot more to say,” Wilson shared of the new album. “Sure, I love a good pair of bell bottoms, but Bell Bottom Country to me has always been about the flare and what makes someone unique — I have really embraced mine, and I hope y’all can hear that across this project.”

On Tour

Wilson is serving as support for Luke Combs on his 2023 world tour, which kicked off on March 25 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The massive stadium trek, featuring support from Riley Green, Flatland Cavalry and Brent Cobb, wraps up on July 29 in Philadelphia, PA at Lincoln Financial Field.

For a full list of Lainey Wilson’s upcoming tour dates, visit her official website HERE.

Additionally, Lainey Wilson is currently the most-nominated female artist at the 58th Academy Of Country Music Awards with six nods, including Female Artist of the Year.

“I am so honored to be nominated among some of the best in the business. A few years ago, I wouldn’t even have been able to dream of a day like this,” Wilson shared in a press release. “Thank you to the Academy of Country Music for believing in me and my work, this is an absolute honor.”

The country hitmaker is also nominated in more categories than any other artist.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

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.