Let's talk about country's song of the summer contenders

Today's video is about Post Malone's official country debut, a collaboration with Morgan Wallen called "I Had Some Help," AND Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," both of which are HUGE outta the gate.
MERCH: gradywsmith.myshopify.com
Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/5SB...
00:00 - Intro
01:15 - Post Malone & Morgan Wallen's "I Had Some Help"
07:06 - Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"
TikTok: / gradywsmith
Instagram: / gradywsmith
Facebook: / gradysmithwriter

[@smoov22_sonic]

You know it’s not too late for Grady to get in his car, turn on his camera, and tell TikTok “DID I JUST WRITE THE SONG OF THE SUMMER????”

[@MACMAMI]

Time is of the essence, though: seeing that Congress recently voted to ban TikTok. So the window is closing on Grady to capitalize on bending the platform to his will and secure "Song Of The Summer" bragging rights. Chop chop!

[@jking54544]

But it must be titled "Song of the Summer!

[@iananderson6591]

You can avoid hearing a song on social media if you never are on social media

[@deannestewart3105]

Or you can watch with volume off... but you're right, social media is generally unhealthy...

[@WetHat42]

I miss CDs. Too much of anything is never good. It’s why it’s so hard for me to find music to listen to. I have to much to choose from. I miss how simple things were 15-20 years ago.

[@Jaxon_Knight13]

or you could change your algorithm

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

​@@WetHat42Colby t helms. Hunter Root. Sierra Ferrell. I can't help you if you're gonna continue listening to radio country though.

[@jadetea6112]

I'm off social media, besides KZbin. I feel super silly when I finally find a fun song and my coworkers or friends, etc. tell me it's overplayed on social media. I'm just glad there's finally good NEW music being produced.

[@Rico-je4yy]

I wish I could go back in time about 20 minutes and unhear that Yung Gravy song.

[@sweetsally1313]

I know, right? I actually stopped & went back to make sure I heard what I heard.

[@willreed2149]

Thats how i feel about the Beyonce song every time i hear even .5 seconds of it

[@whatsup7535]

I mean his super deep voice is pretty cool. I'm just not as much into Country music. I love when he does bass filled groovy dance songs.

[@derekhayner7984]

I’d take post Malone and shaboozy over 10,000 hours with Bieber and Dan+ Shay any day of the week country is in a good place rn enjoy it while it lasts

[@ahhculdee]

Post Malone has a very country feel to him.

[@jstruiksma5012]

Agreed. I hate that mushy pop that Dan and shay does.

[@philipreid2542]

​@@ahhculdeeit's the beard

[@whatsup7535]

To be fair, I just listened to the songs, & it hardly sounds country to me personally.

[@BeanDip47]

Zach Top is album of the summer

[@annmarie3573]

Amen

[@jasonunger2776]

Or Alex key’s new album “outdated”

[@davidhochstetler4068]

That album is pure, true country

[@DanielBrownMTB]

nah charley Crockett

[@Heathmanginomusic]

@@DanielBrownMTBmassive respect to you right now man!

[@deannestewart3105]

Love that you're neutrally documenting music history as it happens without expressing a polarized opinion. It is easy to swallow and always entertaining!

[@ericfleischauer5863]

It’s crazy to think how ‘Payola’ was such a scandal in the 60’s with DJ’s accepting money for songs plays on the radio compared to today where social media influencers are doing the same.

[@Spitfirethedragon]

Don't think this song needed TikTok to get people hooked to it.

[@aaronbaca305]

We need a Zach Top album breakdown

[@Spitfirethedragon]

Shaboozey is signed to Empire Nashville. Tenille Arts is still signed to Empire. They also promote Randy Houser. They also signed Caroline Jones and Pat Green. Mitch Rossell, Niko Moon, Dalton Torres, Wyatt Flores, Sarah Darling, Willie Jones, Chase Bryan, Adam Hambrick, Cody Hibbard, John Baumann, Ross Cooper, Adam Hood, Tyler Reese Tritt Daughter of Travis Tritt, Hosier is also on Empire Nashville, Noah Hicks, Charley Crockett, Lewis Brice brother of Lee Brice, Tim Montana, CJ Solar, Bobby Bones and many others. Shaboozy also have a lot of songs which some I can tell are traditional country soundish. He is being promoted mainly for country radio.

[@angelacook6290]

Interesting news on Empire. That is quite a list. Changes at the big record companies have shaken up the more startup artists. Or maybe. I haven't been paying close attention.

[@Spitfirethedragon]

@@angelacook6290 Empire's first number song on country radio came from Tenille Arts herself. About 2020/21, Empire decided to launched the Nashville part. Right now, Wyatt Flores, Tenille, Randy Houser and Shaboozey have been successful and Charley Crocket is doing good on the Music Row charts as we speak.

[@danielwaters191]

I don't care who's one your label, no clap tracks in country music

[@Spitfirethedragon]

@@danielwaters191 Sounds like boot stomping with the hand claps like the country line dancing. That is where Shaboozey and Dasha done. Beyonce no on the Texas Hold Em.

[@brentshepard3925]

Glad to see you putting out content again!

[@mc39S686]

Said this on the reddit but I might as well say it here, I Had Some Help is EXACTLY what pop country should be. For the longest time it was Brett Young boyrfiend boring. It sucked. But it was also music that would only be played on country stations being given a "pop" label that meant nothing. Not like you heard those songs on a pop playlist. This song is 50/50 both genres. You can't say it's one and not the other. And it'll be put on pop AND country radio. This is the best pop country we've ever got. Cause while I love Golden Hour, it was more chill and relaxed and songwriter-y pop being mixed with country. This is fun upbeat pop being mixed with country, and just feels way more like the 2 genres coming together than Golden Hour did. If this is what pop country is gonna be like, then play it on country radio. I'm so here for this.

[@MisterMonsterMan]

The wife has been playing "I had some help" on repeat over the past number of days. I know it word for word and have yet to sit down and actually listen to it yet.

[@MACMAMI]

Also, with regards to "A Bar Song".............I think the wink, nod and homage to J-Kwon's prior 2000s cult classic "Tipsy" is obvious. He even chants "One to the two to the three to the four!" in one of its lyrics.

[@GradySmith]

Hahahha that’s a big point in this very vid 😂

[@MACMAMI]

@@GradySmith Oh I saw that for sure! 🙂

[@Megathai1]

Which is from a Snoop and Dre track

[@jamiecollins32]

The song of the summer is by Grady Smith and it's called "Whoa, funky immediately"

[@GradySmith]

😂

[@christa526]

A really thoughtful introspective video, love you perspective on song meaning with two voices. You did it again, Grady

[@Thrapston]

Makes me wonder which other "old school" club hip-hop songs could be turned Country? Outkast - Hey Ya? Shaggy - It Wasn't Me!

[@BushaZ]

8:20 Both songs are by Avicii 😂

[@philipreid2542]

Not sure if that's more insulting to Avicii or Dan Tyminski

[@EvanGoeke]

You right but it’s Aloe Blaccs vocals on Wake Me Up. He has his own version of it too🔥

[@philipreid2542]

@@EvanGoeke true, but it's Avicii's style that Grady was referring to

[@christopherreichart9193]

Tell Grady Smith to answer my message Chris want back 90s and 2000 and 2010 Country music I take that every day

[@m43731049]

Megan Moroney’s indifferent is perfect for summer

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

Megan is the new (old) Taylor Swift 🔥🙌

[@caleblafon11]

As someone who likes multiple genres of music and is more drawn to traditional sounding country music (but I also enjoy some pop country), I love the Post and Morgan Collab. Sure, it’s not super country, but I don’t think it’s too poppy either, but I may be biased because I’m a huge fan of both Post and Morgan Wallen.

[@dholen1]

Best real country song released lately is No Country For Old Men by Scotty Mccreery. This is what real country used to sound like. So much better than anything else you would hear on radio. The whole Rise And Fall album by Scotty Mccreery is great country music!

[@ZK_Wright]

I love ‘I had some help’ I’ve been jamming it a ton and i can tell you it will be on all summer! I would also consider it a pop song rather than a country song, but its still a jam! Love ya Grady

[@ZK_Wright]

I also love a bar song, its also good and a summer jam, but I had some help takes the cake or me!

[@beplanking]

I'm *guessing* that noise is a steel/slide guitar with an octave pedal on it

[@mr.rubins9784]

Are you going to go over Scotty McCreery's new album, Rise and Fall in the future?

[@bendurand7212]

Wassup Grady. Love the videos ❤❤❤

[@terrysmith2191]

Yay for Shaboozey!❤❤❤❤

[@brennanspark]

Always love hearing your opinion Grady!

[@angelacook6290]

Whether I agree completely...it is great to see more videos and analysis on his channel

[@dalegribblebountyhunter59]

Glad i watched this to learn about Yung Gravy dropping a country song 😂

[@etownshawn]

Little Big Town - Summer Fever & James Otto - Groovy Little Summer Song are still my jams :)

[@DRAKE_DOES_STUFF]

I already hate i had some help, it comes on the radio every 30mins

[@raumeenseifi]

Great takes Grady

[@martharunstheworld]

I try to avoid songs written by committee. Unfortunately, a lot of country songs are written that way. I avoided country for a long long time because of it. Now, I'm very particular about the country music I like. If the list of songwriters for a song is longer than my shopping list, I probably won't listen to it. Those type of songs lack integrity for me. Give me a lesser-known artist or (gasp!) musician (!!!) who writes and performs their own music. I'm a rebel.

[@sunshine3914]

Be honest… you can’t dance. Prolly can’t even smile.

[@wyattrath6571]

2:21 i think that sound is on ERNEST’S new album too so the whole song just gave me a ton of ERN vibes which is great

[@zacharybarnhart334]

Every Morgan Wallen duet just makes me realize how much better his voice is than everyone else

[@fabiors10]

I've seen him live this weekend, it is honestly underwhelming. It's OK on some high notes and specially on studio with all the help he gets (ta-da)

[@zacharybarnhart334]

@@fabiors10 I agree with that (live). In the studio though, it’s a different story

[@CamaroHotwheelsDieCast]

Luke Combs vs Morgan Wallen in actual vocals isn't even a competition! Luke is amazing & Wallen is meh.

[@vladicgrabot6019]

i like luke but zach bryan and morgan are miles ahead both vocally and writing wise

[@CamaroHotwheelsDieCast]

@@vladicgrabot6019 🤣🤣🤣🤣 at Zach & Morgan being better than Luke vocally! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TellyMan200]

Both are on my summer playlsit. epic listern when driving down the road in the sun

[@CheyenneNicole]

Dead at the slight dig “like the viewers of this channel” 🤣

[@laborkyle]

I also wondered about that post-chorus melody on I Had Some Help and I think it's doubled synth and electric guitar. Maybe it's crazy but Derek Wells has that telecaster he has with the lap steel pickup in the bridge and if I had to guess that's what he's playing on this one, at least at that part. I know there's also pedal on the track too but the pick sound on that part makes me think it's electric idk.

[@GradySmith]

I’ve been told it’s distorted steel!

[@laborkyle]

@@GradySmith brb eating hat

[@WhitetailVigilantes]

Really wanna hear your take on Post's song he played at the ACMs, Never Love You Again.

[@music18021]

I can also say that Shaboozy being on Beyonce's Cowboy Carter was a HUGE help in getting his own music promoted...when you have Queen Bey as your cosign you know you're going places Loving both I Had Some Help and Bar Song (Tipsy) I definitely know these are gonna be huge songs this summer and with Post in particular I'm glad he's finally going country after all his country covers and just embracing and adoration of the genre in the past couple of years

[@FittestTrack]

i really hope zac brown band releases an album this year

[@theeellebee]

They are. I saw them in concert last Saturday

[@FittestTrack]

@@theeellebee yay

[@MilesHoppus]

I Had Some Help is an absolute banger.

[@daystriker1680]

A’int No Love In Oklahoma is my song of the summer

[@austinlightner3973]

Yaye more grady

[@jakebeach7056]

I heard a sneak peak of Post Malone's song about a month ago, bought the song, yes I buy music still, When it became available on the 11th.

[@DG-hm1on]

First time hearing Shaboozey....but then again, I don't have any social media. Interesting song. Thanks for the insight

[@connoradamson2846]

I want country to be idolized in society, not pop-country. I don’t want country to be uncool, cause it hasn’t reached cool status. We get interlopers misrepresenting what country is to a mass audience, causing them to backlash and never give folks like Sierra Farrell and Top a real chance.

[@markynsaibasandarsondiengd2298]

I agree with you brother

[@gavinreazor9274]

Idk. I’m from up north. The first country song I really heard and liked was a pop country song about 5 years ago. I started listening to that kinda stuff and eventually I transitioned into real classic country. I know that’s just my experience but I’ve been able to ease a lot of my friends into country music this way so I think pop country being this big is actually really good for actual country.

[@connoradamson2846]

@@gavinreazor9274 It’s a fair point and I’m not saying there aren’t other stories like yours. But my general observation is that unless pop country is a huge turn off to large swaths of people who then say country sucks and lacks depth and is only about tailgates and beer.

[@marypeterson6916]

I’m looking forward to your very fun videos. 😊

[@davidpowell9218]

2024 will go down as the year country truly died.

[@whatsup7535]

It's possible

[@sunshine3914]

Funny… listened to an hour & half interview with Yung Gravy, & still didn’t know what he did.

[@samuelstrachan2726]

I find it hard to enjoy any country that is promoted on TikTok. Paying money for vanity is about the most un-country thing you can do.

[@schoony1977]

Lainey's new song hit today and Luke Combs Twisters song will be on Thursday.

[@filminfection1707]

I love grady

[@averagehummer1213]

Please cover charley crocketts new album. Its really good

[@maxteply1567]

Zac Brown Band - Tie Up

[@melturcotte8848]

Pour me a drink with Blake Shelton is even more awesome Posty sounds more country Than a lot of "country singers" nowadays and we hear his fun and passion of music 😊 He's a country natural, I am a country fan for years now and I've been waiting for this moment ! 🤠

[@ethanellis4662]

Could even add the upcoming Luke Combs song from Twisters, Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma

[@judgesaturn507]

Have you guys ever heard Jonathan Coulton's cover of Baby Got Back? Or any similar 'ironic' rendition from that era? That's what A Bar Song (Tipsy) reminds me of.

[@HoldenStraya]

Gotta add Bulletproof by Nate Smith

[@KingGASports]

You’re telling me Morgan Wallen has trouble taking accountability for his own actions? Who would of thought

[@EverythingThunderbirdsAreGoHar]

Tbh I prefer "I Had Some Help" over "A Bar Song", they're both great songs too

[@bdixon1]

appreciate Grady's ability to kinda breakdown lyrics and see patterns... not something i "see" myself so i always like to hear your thoughts

[@thewalrusaurus]

I've had Russell Dickersons Good Day to Have Great Day and Shaboozeys Let it Burn on a loop for the last week an a half, and i'm not ashamed to admit it.

[@golbatgirl]

I'm actually excited for some of the pop coming into country music if they do it right. Just by that song alone Post Malone has the right mix into it that Cowboy Carter lacks.

[@philipreid2542]

Yep, someone was saying that Post Malone finds it easier to cross over because he's white. Maybe, but it's probably because he's just better

[@golbatgirl]

@@philipreid2542 more like he actually hung around country music stars and consultants for the last few years. I think Beyoncé just was spiteful after the people didn’t like her performance that she wanted to do it herself her way. Cowboy Carter isn’t very cohesive, a majority of the tracks are interludes. All in all it sounds pretentious and doesn’t fit the characteristics of country. Now if she wanted to do it right (hired a voice coach to get the twang, hired a country music consultant, actually worked with the Nashville recording talent, etc) I would be all for it. It’s amazing how long the beehive will actually go after you for giving critique.

[@philipreid2542]

@@golbatgirl well said. Sorry, I should have said better at strategizing crossing over. Not denying Beyonce is an amazing artist and could do it too with the right approach

[@rifsm1]

Young gravy song was clearly rap. True country has gone away

[@jogers2706]

It’s not even close to rap lol what u even on about 😭

[@rifsm1]

@@jogers2706 all snap tracky etc not even close to country thats for sure

[@jogers2706]

@@rifsm1 you do realize there isn’t even a snap track in the song right? I used to be a country purist like u too but damn grow outta it. You realize that there are subgenres in every genre. This is a country song whether u wanna admit it or not. It’s at least way more country compared to Old Town Road

[@rifsm1]

@@jogers2706 sorry i meant young gravy song. As for having an opinion we are both entitled to our own. You like what you want and think how you want and I’ll do the same.

[@jogers2706]

@@rifsm1 shit I’ll agree wit u on the yung gravy song. That shit is hot ass

[@BrocCNR]

The country song of the summer will be "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" but it really should be I had some help.

[@BrandonHamilton-gt3vy]

I have a feeling Silverada’s new album is absolutely going to slap this summer

[@BobSaxon-ou7ww]

None of the songs mentioned on this video near the beginning are country

[@baramansari6921]

Isn’t it time for a single/album round up???

[@kangagaming1949]

While I don’t like slot of the pop stuff something about post going country seems like it will work given some of his more country covers of other songs

[@giannina93]

thank you for reminding me of JKWONs masterpiece of a song, brings me back to my teenage years :)

[@codykarkeys6598]

I’m very traditional and like “country” music however I can definitely acknowledge tipsy kinda hits and is fun to listen to. Don’t love the Morgan wallen one as much.

[@Mogolfs]

I would love too hear your opinion on Logan Crosby soon!!

[@jogers2706]

I’m so happy shaboozey gettin recognition. Been following him for a while and glad to see em get his moment. Check out Let It Burn by him as well

[@colesandberg5202]

Hey Grady just wondering if you have had a chance to listen to Scotty’s new album ? I love it

[@TheVoxinator]

Thank you, Grady! You are my go-to for what new songs / artist I need to watch for!

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodsm4708]

Regarding Post Malone collaborating with Morgan Wallen rather than someone like a Tyler Childers, folks like Childers and Sturgill serve a very specific role in the music ecosystem and that’s your favorite artist’s favorite artist. The big stars will listen to them, rep their merch, go to a few shows and maybe take a picture with them backstage, but they’ll never do anything substantial with them over another top star like Morgan. They or really the labels are content on keep your favorite artist’s favorite artist exactly in their place

[@user-mg5xu7gf9l]

Can you do a video on Brian Kelley’s new album? Plzzz

[@zacweeksentertainment]

My only major issue with pop artists coming into the genre, is making it more difficult for country musicians to actually make a dent in the market

[@jamiepippin3892]

That’s the point. To destroy authentic country and muddy the water with more pop music.

[@jaycobherr8996]

Comparing this to lumineers is criminal

[@rex8958]

Gotta say one way or another it’s Morgan Wallen. Cowgirls hitting radio is major. I would say it’s going to be I Had Some Help. Crazy amount of radio play already and it’s smashing Spotify records

[@brettfitz222]

A bar song slaps. His song vegas is also very good.

[@sunsetkizz1]

Shaboozey!!!! 🤩 🔥

[@patrickkohmann8783]

For the Post and Morgan song, I much prefer the snippet version of the song. It had Post’s raspiness that paired well with Morgan’s - instead it felt a little too processed and flattened. Lost a lot of its soul and didn’t hit as hard, which some ppl are agreeing with on Post’s post (lol) for the song’s release

[@Thatcountryboy2]

Grady jack owen has got a new album i haven't listened to it yet but it might do something good for summer country music.

[@TEFFTPATTERN]

I’m sorry but that Shaboozy song is not getting old for me, I can hear it so many times but the catchiness and simplicity and drinking song nature of it makes it hard to get tired of

[@coyote_f150]

His newest unreleased song is more country than all the current country singers.

[@ericdavis6214]

Six songwriters just give me 1 Dean Dillon

[@haydenknight9263]

Your thoughts on Pirates and parrots by Zac brown band Grady?

[@drewwatson2252]

Grady what country artists would you like to see in a Drake vs Kendrick style beef

[@GradySmith]

Maren and Aldean

[@lilwhoady8712]

I wanna know your thoughts on the music industry pushing songs like (tipsy)

[@gabbyzzz10]

Noooo, I want country music to be cool ! Finally, French TV and radio talk nicely about the genre. I feel less alone and misunderstood...

[@IamtheEkco]

A Bar song goes crazy it’s definitely in contention for country song of the summer

[@calebc.7818]

Only in country music could a major star throw a chair off a bar balcony then proceed to collab with a multi-genre star and make a huge hit without time stopping in between.

[@GradySmith]

I don’t really agree, cuz I feel like Justin Bieber can pee in a mop bucket and Bruno Mars can get coke charges and Six9ine and get accused of heinous things and go right on operating as normal.

[@calebc.7818]

@@GradySmith I concede this point to you. I'm not always in the loop on things happening outside of the country sphere.

[@kubby6129]

The “post-mortum” statement felt like a blatant Taylor Swift reference

[@josephtill5613]

Waiting for some Ellis Bullard love!!! He could easily be the next best thing, don’t get behind get ahead!

[@BrandoDTG]

I Had Some Help is an amazing song, but it sounds like Morgan Wrote the entire thing and just let Post sing it as a “welcome to country music” kind of gesture

[@Sycfinn]

Just clicked and i came to say you HAVE to speak on Wyatt Flores

[@paulcovey6632]

Bro I just need an Ernest album review please

[@EricNoneless]

I thought you knew more about country instruments... those noises are obviously of a steel guitar.

[@SpotTheUnicorn]

Wouldn't sleep on the new Luke Combs song which will also be in what could the biggest summer blockbuster