Riley Green On How An Eric Church Song Inspired Him To Write His Steamy Hit, ‘Worst Way’
Green says Church’s “Wrecking Ball” was the inspiration behind this self-penned track.
Riley Green; Photo by Andrew Wendowski, Eric Church; Photo by Anthony D’Angio
Did you know that Riley Green’s “Worst Way” was inspired by songs previously released by Eric Church and John Mayer?
During a recent conversation with Kelleigh Bannen on The Kelleigh Bannen Show on Apple Music Country, Green opened up about the inspiration behind the steamy track, admitting that when he sat down to write the song, he imagined a song with the same intense emotions as Eric Church’s “Wrecking Ball” and the deep vibe of John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room.”
“When I wrote “Worst Way” that was in [the vein of Eric Church’s ‘Wrecking Ball’.] And I had a vision of just songs that give me that type of feeling that over the years, ‘Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,’ John Mayer, that vibe, something about that was so cool and to make it country and to make it my own,” he explained.
Green certainly accomplished what he set out to do with the self-penned song. “Worst Way” turned heads with its intense lyrics about spending the night with a lover. In the lyrics, he chooses to skip the usual romantic gestures like wine and roses and instead, aims to connect with his partner on a deeper level in a very intimate setting.
The Alabama native doesn’t beat around the bush on the chorus as he sings, “I want you in the worst way/ My hands are needin’ your hips/ Want the first taste/ Of whiskey to be off your lips/ So close all the blinds, lock all the doors/ Put away anything that’ll break/ Baby, I need you tonight/ Let’s see how much love we can make/ I want you in the worst way.”
“Worst Way” became a streaming giant, taking on a life of its own on social media and online.
Remaining humble, Green told Bannen, “I would’ve never thought that song would be as big as it has been, but it’s had a whole moment.”
A moment is putting it lightly. “Worst Way” sent Green’s fans, primarily his female fanbase, into a frenzy. Hundreds even shared their comments about the song on Instagram, with many labeling “Worst Way” a “baby-making song.”
Others shared comments like “This is by far the steamiest song, I’ve ever heard!!!” and “The sexiness of this song is 🔥.” It’s safe to say “Worst Way” left a lasting impression on listeners. Another fan likened it to “country Marvin Gaye.”
The sultry song was released as part of Riley Green’s Way Out Here EP, which dropped in the Spring. The project also includes Green’s latest single, “Damn Good Day To Leave,” which is climbing the charts at country radio now.
Although fans got a taste of new music with the EP release in April, they have plenty more new music to look forward to as Green recently teased plans to release a brand-new full-length album in the coming months.
During an interview with Cigar & Spirits, he shared, “We’ve got a lot of new music. We’re in the studio as we speak, cutting through the next album that we’re looking to put out in the fall. We’ll probably release some of those songs a little early to give fans a taste of the album before it comes out.”
Most recently, he dropped the song “Rather Be,” detailing all the places he’d “Rather Be” than in a relationship with an overbearing partner.
“I’d rather be seven beers deep with a Coleman cooler propping up my feet/ My ass in a lawn chair floating on the breeze in a sun tracker/ I’d rather be tucked in a pit blind somewhere on the Mississippi-Louisiana state line/ Waitin’ on them greenheads to do a fly-by/ Lip full of tobacco,” he sings.
On the chorus, he adds, “When I hear you bitch at me/ It makes me think of all the/ Places I’d rather be.”
Upon the release of the song, the chart-topping singer/songwriter shared, “Life’s too short to be caught up in a bad relationship and we had fun coming up with some lines about anywhere else to be but in that moment.”
As the wait for his new album continues, fans can catch Green on the road headlining shows and performing as fairs and festivals throughout the remainder of the year.
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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