Walker Hayes Teams Up With Kane Brown For Heartfelt ‘Song For My Son’

Two artists, both dads with important messages to share with their sons, are coming together to create deeply personal moment through music. Walker Hayes just released “Song For My Son,” with Kane Brown, a spiritual collaboration that appears on Hayes’ latest album, 17 Problems, out now via RCA Records.

The song came to life during a writing session between Hayes, Ben Williams and Billy Dawson. Although Hayes was quick to admit he isn’t too fond of the act of praying out loud, he found comfort in this song and it’s raw, introspective reflection on fatherhood, faith, and the struggle to break generational cycles.

This narrative follows a father seeking help from the man above as he grapples with the worry that his past of addiction and old habits will be passed down to his son. At the same time, he also feels the weight of raising a son while trying to confront the mistakes of his own father.

Hayes’ strong vocals can be heard in the first portion of the song, which finds him illustrating the emotions running through his mind as he reflects on 10 years of sobriety. Brown then steps in to share his story, stating while he has “nothin’ against my dad,” there are moments when he looks in the mirror and feels anger over his desire to not repeat history with his son.

The story then follows their respective conversations with Jesus, asking him to act as a guide through this chapter even though their connection may be as strong anymore.

They come together to sing their humble pleas on the chorus, “Jesus, please just come on back I need ya/ I’m desperate, messed up, tryin’ to do my best but/ I’m scared all I’m passin’ my son down is my bad stuff/ Father, help me how am I supposed to do this dad stuff/ I hate church but I love you/ And I’m prayin’ he does too/ Looks up to me but I hope he sees me lookin’ up to/ Jesus, Jesus.”

Both Brown and Hayes have openly shared that this kind of a concern is something that has always followed them through life and now, both fathers to young boys, it’s more fitting than ever.

“Crazy to have a song out with @kanebrown that’s a prayer. One for all to hear. One that @billydawsonmusic @ben.williams.music and I wrote and weren’t performing, we were just talking to God,” Hayes wrote in a new Instagram post.

He goes on to further open up about his struggles with faith and vulnerability, stating “I don’t really love praying out loud.  It’s tough for me to just focus on my conversation with the Lord, and not think how people listening could potentially be ‘grading’ my performance.  And I’m probably, in a weird way, grading myself.  I know it’s not a performance and I should only fear the Lord himself but I’m just being honest here…”

He then noted that “Song For My Son” is the “heart” of his just-released album, 17 Problems.

“…it’s the most meaningful track on my album, 17 Problems. It feels like a gift from the Lord…Writing it was a truly special experience, and I hope its honest message touches people,” Hayes admitted. “I’m honored Kane appreciates the song as much as we do, and his voice was perfect; he gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. It means a lot to have him join me on this.”

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The “2 Pair” singer added, “When Walker sent me the song, I knew I just had to jump on it with him. I love the lyrics and sentiment. I connected to it immediately and have such respect for Walker as both an artist and a father.”

Walker Hayes’ new project is hailed as being “his most honest and emotionally raw album to date.” Throughout the 17 songs, he offers unfiltered storytelling and raw vulnerability while covering topics of grief, growth, and gratitude.

“This album is very reflective. I think you can tell I’m in the middle of losing my dad and raising kids. I’m at that corner of the road in life when you’re looking back on your childhood – you can see it as clear as you ever have – but you’re looking down the barrel of raising kids and keeping your family together. Accidentally, that is a common thread. The songs have this ‘in retrospect’ feeling, and then also, ‘what does the future look like? How do I do this?’” Hayes shares.

In addition to “Song For My Son,” fans will find standout tracks like “17 Year Old Problems, “Pocket Knife,” “Neon Lights” and “Mother.”

The Alabama native wrote over 100 songs during the making of the project before ultimately selecting the final 17 tracks. He worked with collaborators including Grammy-winning producers and songwriters Warren “Oak” Felder (Sabrina Carpenter, Lizzo) and Shane McAnally, as well as Grammy-nominated Bart Millard (MercyMe). However, some of the album’s most intimate moments came from Hayes writing alone.

 In support of the album, Walker Hayes has announces that he will be hitting the road on Walker Hayes: Unplugged Tour. The 18-date trek will offer fans a stripped-back acoustic experience, allowing them to get a Hayes himself and the stories behind the songs.

Before kicking off the run on October 17, Hayes will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on August 29.

Tickets for the Unplugged Tour are on-sale now HERE.