Multi-platinum-selling country artist Walker Hayes chatted about his latest studio offering “17 Problems,” which was just released on August 22nd via RCA Records.
Hayes’ collaborators on this project include Grammy award-winning producers and songwriters Warren “Oak” Felder (Sabrina Carpenter and Lizzo) and Shane McAnally, alongside Grammy-nominated Bart Millard (MercyMe).
“Bubbly” pop star Colbie Caillat once said: “Songwriting is like a therapy. It’s a connection that you have with another person, and I’m not scared of it at all for some reason.”
This quote applies to Walker Hayes and the music on his new album “17 Problems.”
Song selection approach for the new album
On the song selection process for his newest musical effort, Hayes remarked, “It was tough! I had a while to write since my last bigger project.”
“My manager informed me the other day that we probably had 130 songs that we’ve written, so that was a surprise because it didn’t feel like that many, and then we had to narrow it down to the ones that made the album,” he elaborated.
“17 songs felt like a lot for me,” he admitted. “I’ve never released this much music at once. I think every song is special in its own little space, and I really tried my best to put on my best foot forward.”
“There isn’t a song on this album that doesn’t matter to me, and that’s tough,” he said.
“I’m a choosy songwriter. Just because I wrote a song doesn’t mean I love it or I’ll want it on my album or entertain the idea of singing it for the rest of my life,” he expanded.
“If it’s on the album it’s because I meant for it to be there, and I didn’t want to let my fans down. In my own heart, I just wanted to be excited about it,” he acknowledged.
Favorite song: ‘Song for My Son’ with Kane Brown
Hayes listed “Song for My Son,” his collaboration with Kane Brown, as his favorite on the record.
“Honestly, on the reflective side, ‘Song for My Son’ is perhaps my favorite,” he claimed.
“I came to this realization this morning driving in. I’ve never put out a song that is just a prayer and not a performance, and I am really seeing the impact this song has had on my team and the men in my life,” he said.
“I’ve seen it impact families already in the industry so that has been a really good reminder of me of what God made me music for… to not impress but to impact, share, to be honest with and to express soul to soul,” he acknowledged.
“A lot of times, it is easy to feel isolated in this industry, it’s like speaking through a megaphone to thousands and thousands of people. That song got me and Kane Brown talking, and it reminded me that music is a people-to-people thing, and something that you want to share,” he explained.
“When you are in the sitting and you are listening by yourself, it meets you and where you are. Music is conversational,” he noted. “That song holds the power that is beyond anything I have ever been a part of.”
“Then, on the happier, funnier, and quirkier side, the lyrics of ‘Mayonnaise’ and ‘Next Wife’ scratch my itch and the things that I love,” Hayes said with a sweet laugh. “Those couldn’t be further from ‘Song from My Son.’ These were so fun to write!”
“As a songwriter, I am very passionate about the writing process. I’m enamored with the process… my favorite part is going in the studio and sitting with people or just myself and saying ‘what am I trying to say here?’ and when I leave, it’s done, because I said it exactly how I wanted to,” he elaborated.
“For a lover of music, who loves songwriting, this is about as good as I’ve ever been, if I can say so myself. It has some of the best writing I’ve ever been a part of, and that’s fun,” he exclaimed.
“I’m better than I was albums before, and I think I will continue to improve,” he observed.
Working with Colbie Caillat on ‘Adderall’ duet
Hayes spoke highly about working with Grammy winner Colbie Caillat on “Adderall.”
“I love Colbie’s voice! I would love to write with her every day, and I would love to hear her sing,” Hayes said.
Hayes continued, “Colbie is so calm and down-to-earth, and she has that effect on a room. She’s not main character material; she is very invested in the rest of the room. She’s a tenet to everyone and I loved working with her! Colbie is a wonderful singer and I loved her work on the song ‘Adderall.’ She is the best!”
Ironically enough, Hayes had listed Colbie Caillat as his dream female duet choice in music years ago. “There you go… it happened! We actually did this duet,” he said with a sweet laugh.
Walker Hayes and Kylie Morgan duet ‘Cuss a Little’
Hayes recalled “Cuss a Little,” his charming duet with country songstress Kylie Morgan, which they released during the beginning of the COVID pandemic era.
“Kylie was born to write a song! She had so much to do with that song, which was her idea. Honestly, she was very kind to let me put my spin on that one,” Hayes expressed.
The digital age
On being a recording artist in the digital age, Hayes said, “It’s crazy. I was laughing with a friend of mine the other day… when we got to Nashville in 2004, we couldn’t email songs to each other.”
“We had to burn them on CDs and you put them in paper cases and you distributed them around town. Now, here we are and everybody is streaming music, and honestly, I haven’t seen a CD in years,” he elaborated.
“I am very grateful that I got to see so much change in how much goes out. Is it better or worse? I don’t know, but I do know that it’s easier now than ever to personally connect with fans, and that is an improvement. I like that aspect of it,” he explained.
“It is easy to write a song and get it out to the world as fast as I can. That’s pretty crazy,” he added.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Hayes revealed, “17 Problems.”
“I really mean this,” he underscored. “I consider myself a very unique artist because of the team, the family, and the friends, I have surrounding me. They know me, they love me as I am, they are very merciful, very forgiving, and they have demanded and accepted nothing but sheer honesty from me.”
“I feel like all my songs are exactly what I am thinking about on a day-to-day basis. ‘Song for My Son’ is a wonderful example about what I’m doing each day, and where my thoughts are each day,” he acknowledged.
Hayes continued, “I think I’m taking an inventory of the life I’ve seen, I’m a little curious about what the next path looks like, but more than that, I am in a place where I’m beginning to see that there is my children, my team, my wife and the Lord obviously, and they matter more to me than music.”
“I think you can hear all that on this album… I hope you can hear a guy who is thinking about people and maybe taking a look at himself in the mirror trying to improve, and looking for the Lord, and not necessarily trying to rhyme and seek applause,” he expanded.
“I am just trying to be honest and express what I’m going through,” he added.
‘Unplugged’ Tour
Hayes is looking forward to his upcoming “Walker Hayes: Unplugged Tour,” which will kick off in October, where he will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on August 29th, where he will bring his unique sound to the historic stage. “I cannot wait to play the Opry,” he exclaimed.
Superpower of choice
On his superpower of choice, the “Fancy Like” singer disclosed, “It would be teleportation.”
“I would love to teleport. I love what I do and who I do it with, but I want to be with them sooner,” he said.
“Not just my family, there are writers and producers I work with on a daily basis, and I love every moment that we share. I just love people, but I spent a lot of time traveling… so if I can teleport, I can bounce and do all of those things,” he elaborated.
“In our house, teleportation would be the most popular superpower,” he added.
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Hayes said, “Honestly, success is just complete, utter, and total dependency on Jesus Christ; that’s it.”
“Laying it all down with a sense of gratitude of my desires and the gifts that He gave me. Thanking Him fist and asking him to direct all things that are within my reach, and the love on it,” he explained.
Closing thoughts on the new album
“I thank God for everything he has given me. I have a soft spot for loneliness, and I think that is definitely a thorn of mine. So much glory to God.”
“I want these songs to come through the speakers, and I hope they make people feel less alone. If that ever happens, it will bring me great joy,” Hayes concluded.
“17 Problems” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
For more information on country maverick Walker Hayes, follow him on Instagram and visit his official homepage.
Read More: Walker Hayes album review for “17 Problems.”
