LISTEN: Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina Team Up For ‘She Had Me At Heads Carolina’ Remix

Cole Swindell surprised fans late Sunday evening when he shared a remix of his multi-week chart-topping hit, “She Had Me…

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Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 7, 2022

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3:20 pm

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Cole Swindell, Jo Dee Messina; Photos by Andrew Wendowski

Cole Swindell surprised fans late Sunday evening when he shared a remix of his multi-week chart-topping hit, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” featuring Jo Dee Messina. 

Since the release of the song on his Stereotype album this Spring, the song has been a favorite among fans as it tips its hat to Messina’s 1996 debut hit, “Heads Carolina, Tails California.” 

Fans have been begging the pair to release a collaborative version of the song and their wish finally came true with the release of the much-anticipated remix. 

“Did y’all really think we were gonna leave you hanging without releasing a version of this song w/ @jodeemessina?!? Such a full circle moment for this here 90’s Country fan… the “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” Remix is OUT NOW,” Swindell excitedly shared on social media following the release of the track.

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In addition to being featured on the remix of the tune, Messina recently appeared in the music video for the chart-topping hit. Swindell made sure to not only include Messina, who inspired the tune, but also the “Heads Carolina, Tails California” songwriters Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders, who both make appearances in the video.

Filmed at a Downtown Nashville bar in Printer’s Alley, Swindell and his group of friends partake in an epic karaoke dance party after being served a few drinks from Messina, who is seen slinging drinks behind the bar. 

Throughout the clip, Swindell and the bar patrons take to the stage to sing the tune karaoke-style. In true Nashville style, a bachelorette party also joins in on the fun.

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Co-written by Swindell alongside Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett, Mark D. Sanders and Tim Nichols, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” finds Swindell tipping his hat to country hitmaker Jo Dee Messina as he reimagines her 1996 debut single, “Heads Carolina, Tails California.”

“Out of all the ‘90s country songs we all love, I don’t think anybody would have thought we would have picked that one, but I think that’s what makes it special,” Swindell explained to media outlets during a recent interview.

Cole Swindell; Photo by Nathan Zucker, CMA
Cole Swindell; Photo by Nathan Zucker, CMA

Swindell previously shared his desire to work directly with Messina admitting, “I hope someday I get to sing it with her or do something. I want her to be involved because we wouldn’t have the song without the writers and without her making it what it is.”

“She Had Me At Heads Carolina” is the follow-up to Swindell’s two back-to-back, multi-week No. 1 hits, “Never Say Never,” a duet with Lainey Wilson, and “Single Saturday Night,” the debut single from his new album Stereotype.

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Cole Swindell will take to the Bridgestone Arena stage on Wednesday evening (Nov. 9) to perform “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” during the 56th Annual CMA Awards, which will broadcast live on ABC at 8/7c. 

The Georgia native is currently nominated for Musical Event Of The Year and Music Video of The Year for “Never Say Never” featuring Lainey Wilson at the coveted awards show.

Additionally, Swindell recently wrapped up two back-to-back sold out shows at The Ryman in Music City and will join Thomas Rhett on the Home Team Tour in 2023. The trek will also feature support from Nate Smith. 

The 40-city Home Team Tour is set to kick off on May 4 in Des Moines, IA at Wells Fargo Arena and continue through September 29, where the tour will wrap up at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. 
Produced by Live Nation, Presented by Dos Primos Tequila and Fueled by Marathon, the highly-anticipated trek will visit 40 different cities and 27 different states.

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Lauren Jo Black

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.