Riley Green On How An Eric Church Song Inspired Him To Write His Steamy Hit, ‘Worst Way’

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.