Walker Hayes Celebrates Life In The South With New Single, ‘Y’all Life’

Walker Hayes shouts out Olive Garden, name drops Dolly Parton, and tips hit hat to Nelly’s “Country Grammar” in his…

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Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

July 15, 2022

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3:51 pm

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Walker Hayes; Photo by Robert Chavers

Walker Hayes shouts out Olive Garden, name drops Dolly Parton, and tips hit hat to Nelly’s “Country Grammar” in his just released new single, “Y’all Life.” 

Out now, the infectious bop celebrates life in the South – from “football and Jesus” to “mama’s sweet tea” and everything in between. 

Walker Hayes - Y'all Life Single Art
Walker Hayes – Y’all Life Single Art

Hayes co-wrote the “Y’all Life” with Pete Good and Josh Jenkins with additional songwriting credits to “Country Grammar” writers Cornell Haynes Jr. (Nelly) and Jason Epperson. Hayes co-produced the track with“Fancy Like” collaborator Joe Thibodeau, and multi-GRAMMY Award winner Shane McAnally.

In an exclusive clip shared with Country Now, Hayes explained the story behind the song, revealing that he pulled from his childhood memories from growing up in Mobile, Alabama. 

“It’s my life growing up, basically in a nutshell. Main thing growing up was church and football. That’s what we were all about down in Mobile,” he explained. “When we wrote this song, I just wanted to give you that small-town atmosphere. There’s an ice cream truck in it, takes me right back to municipal park in Mobile feeding the ducks with some wonky ice cream truck coming by. Love the images. There’s a Grinch it, got James Harden in it, Dolly Parton in it, Olive Garden in it. But yeah, ‘Y’all Life is just truly where I grew up.”

Watch the “Y’all Life” Music Video

YouTube video

Hours after the release of the song, Hayes shared a Friday Night Lights-eque music video where he plays the head coach of a high school football team. 

The clip, which Mason Allen and Nicki Fletcher directed, features cameos by his best friend, Craig Allen Cooper, his six children, and his wife, Laney.  Click above to watch. 

Walker Hayes; Photo by LIly Nelson
Walker Hayes; Photo by LIly Nelson

The release of “Y’all Life” follows Hayes’ massive “Fancy Like” success that included a GRAMMY nomination, six Billboard Music Award nominations, five ACM Award nominations, a CMT Award nomination, and a No. 1 at Country Radio. 

The song is Hayes’ first new release since he dropped Country Stuff The Album earlier this year. 

Walker Hayes is gearing up to launch his first-ever headlining arena tour – Glad You’re Here Tour – this fall. The trek kicks off on September 29 in Johnstown, Penn.  

The Glad You’re Here Tour:

9/29 – 1st Summit Arena, Johnstown, PA

9/30 – Visions Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, NY

10/1 – Mountain Health Arena, Huntington, WV 

10/7 –  Santander Arena, Reading, PA

10/8 – DCU Center, Worcester, MA

10/13 – Dow Event Center Arena, Saginaw, MI

10/14 – Corbin Arena, Corbin, KY

10/15 – Covelli Centre, Youngstown, OH

10/21 – Alliant Energy Powerhouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

10/22 – Danny Sanford Premiere Center, Sioux Falls, SD

11/5 – Mechanics Bank Arena, Bakersfield, CA

11/7 – The Greek, Los Angeles, CA

11/10 – Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA

11/11 – Theater of the Clouds, Portland, OR

11/12 – Angel Of the Winds Arena, Everett, WA

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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.