Lainey Wilson’s ‘Whiskey Colored Crayon’ Captures A Powerful Story Of Addiction And Redemption
The emotional track is a highlight on Wilson’s newly released ‘Whirlwind’ album.
Lainey Wilson; Photo by Eric Ryan Anderson
Lainey Wilson poured her heart and soul into her new album, Whirlwind, which dropped today. The project features 14 tracks, all co-written by Wilson, and many reflect her experiences over the past few years. Whirlwind weaves tales of perseverance, heartbreak, and love, with a touch of humor added in (in true Lainey Wilson fashion!). But one track immediately stands out among the rest: “Whiskey Colored Crayon.”
This song highlights Wilson’s undeniable storytelling skills as the storyline depicts something that she has not personally experienced, however, as a daughter of a teacher and someone who has a true appreciation for country music’s storytelling songs, Wilson uses her signature vocals to share the heartbreaking story, which ultimately has a happy ending.
Co-written by the Louisiana native with Josh Kear and Wyatt McCubbin, “Whiskey Colored Crayon” begins with the tale of a young boy who is asked to draw a picture of his home while in his Kindergarten class.
His hand-drawn picture depicted the heartbreaking reality of his home life, which includes his mom, brother, and sister and a father who is seemingly absent due to alcoholism.
“A little red house with a little green tree / A little blue car parked out on the street / Brother with a football sister with a puppy dog / Mama with a smile and a church dress on / Then he raised his hand / Said teacher I can’t draw deddy / Do you have a whiskey colored crayon,” she sings on the chorus.
Upon realization of what the child depicted in his artwork, the teacher called his mom who understandably had an emotional response to the picture.
“She didn’t know what to say, But her mascara rained,” the song goes.
The story takes a turn for the better when listeners learn that the young boy’s work of art inspired his father to get sober.
“He stood up in that circle / Said I’m sober seven years / And all because our little boy drew this picture here,” the final verse states.
Jay Joyce delivered exceptional production, elevating the song’s intimate storyline and allowing listeners to visualize the narrative without distraction.
The reigning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year opened up about the power of storytelling and the fact that it is deeply ingrained in her during an interview with Zane Lowe / Apple Music 1.
“I don’t know any better. I don’t know any different. I knew that I was going to chase this thing no matter what. Even if still nothing was happening, I’d still be chasing it. I didn’t know exactly what it was going to look like. And I had a feeling at a very early age that I was going to be in this industry. I was going to tell stories,” she explained. “I got bit by the storytelling bug from my parents sitting around the kitchen table and telling stories from their childhood about an alligator or this or whatever it was, and me and my sister would be like, ‘Tell us that story again.’ And every single time we would hear it, it’s like I would hear something knew about it that I didn’t before. I’d laugh in a certain place that I didn’t the time before and I just loved storytelling.”
“Whiskey Colored Crayon” is the 14th and final track on Wilson’s new album, Whirlwind, which is available everywhere now.
WHIRLWIND TRACK LIST
1. Keep Up With Jones (Lainey Wilson, Josh Kear, Wyatt McCubbin)
2. Country’s Cool Again (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Aslan Freeman)
3. Good Horses (feat. Miranda Lambert) (Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick)
4. Broken Hearts Still Beat (Lainey Wilson, Dallas Wilson, Josh Thompson, Blake Pendergrass)
5. Whirlwind (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
6. Call A Cowboy (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
7. Hang Tight Honey (Lainey Wilson, Driver Williams, Jason Nix, Paul Sikes)
8. Bar In Baton Rouge (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Kasey Tyndall, Jason Nix)
9. Counting Chickens (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Josh Kear, Dallas Wilson, Jon Decious)
10. 4x4xU (Lainey Wilson, Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere)
11. Ring Finger (Lainey Wilson, Aaron Raitiere, Marti Dodson, Jon Decious)
12. Middle Of It (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
13. Devil Don’t Go There (Lainey Wilson, Abram Dean, Lance Miller, Joe Fox)
14. Whiskey Colored Crayon (Lainey Wilson, Josh Kear, Wyatt McCubbin)
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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