We take you behind the scenes and explore the making of one of our favorite tunes with The Song Remembers When…
Song: “wait in the truck”
Songwriters: HARDY, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, and Renee Blair
Album: the mockingbird & THE CROW
During last year’s CMA Awards, HARDY was joined by Lainey Wilson for the moving television debut of “wait in the truck.” The idea for the song came about when HARDY was talking with songwriter Hunter Phelps about what they’d do if their fiancées were attacked. As for HARDY, he said, “I’d ask her to tell me where he lives and then I’d tell her to ‘wait in the truck.’”
It was 2018 when the two got together with Jordan Schmidt at his studio. Jordan’s fiancée, Renee Blair, recorded the demo. In fact, she was the one who came up with the repeated cry of “have mercy on me” at the end of the song. HARDY loved it so much that he left it in the song and gave Renee a writing credit.
HARDY thought it would make a great duet, and only one artist came to mind – Lainey Wilson. When he listens to her music, he feels Lainey’s authenticity come through. Now, “wait in the truck” addresses a tough subject domestic violence. It’s an issue many don’t like to talk about, but HARDY feels the song gives people an opening to address a serious topic.
Earlier this year, after the song peaked just shy of the number one spot, the collaboration would go on to win trophies for Musical Event and Visual Media at the ACM Awards. “Wait in the truck” is nominated for Single, Song, Video, and Musical Event at the CMA Awards. See if HARDY and Lainey take home some hardware for this one when the show airs live Wednesday, November 8th, at 8/7c on ABC.