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 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. 

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. 

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“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

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. 

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 – 1^st 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