Rising country artist Lainey Wilson today released her new Dolly Parton-inspired track, “WWDD.” This song is the first of several new monthly releases which the songwriter recently announced with a hilarious parody video that is quintessentially Lainey, highlighting all of her Bell Bottom Country vibes. Bob Harris premiered the “just fabulous” song as a world exclusive on the BBC R2 country show last night (listen here).
With “WWDD,” which Rolling Stone (who provided the first look at the video, channeling the high-haired spirit of Dolly), says “mixes a stomping beat with grimy electric guitars out of Sticky Fingers-era Rolling Stones and the arena-size choruses of Eighties Bruce Springsteen,” Lainey shares how she navigates life’s lemons by looking to her role model, the icon, Dolly Parton. Using “what would Dolly do?,” as her guiding compass, the Country newcomer channels the wisdom, kindness, strength and positivity of her idol to navigate life. The high-energy, undeniably Country song written by Lainey, Casey Beathard and Michael Heeney, is filled with rocking electric guitar and sassy charm, reminiscent of the song’s star subject.
“I’ve been playin’ a few new songs at my shows and people seem to be liking them so I figured I should put ‘em out so they can keep liking them. I’m kicking off the release series with ‘WWDD’ because people have started singing along to it before the song is even over,” said Lainey Wilson. “It makes sense. I don’t know anyone who don’t love Dolly. From her sense of humor, to her look, to her songwritin’, to her singin’ to how she has such an incredible giving heart, to how she’s an awesome businesswoman…Dolly does everything just a little better with a little bow on top. Dolly is an international icon and role model for a lot of folks around the world, so it’s an easy song for a lot of people to relate to.”
ainey hosted a “’WWDD’ Release Party Live Stream” from her living room where she performed several songs and chatted with her fans. Unable to meet fans face-to-face due to the quarantine, Lainey took heed from her own lyrics and decided to “turna little rain into a rainbow,” and came up with a way to connect with fans via a virtual signing. For 24 hours, anyone who posts about “WWDD” and tags her will receive a digitally signed/personalised photo sent from Lainey herself.
Keeping busy while practicing social distancing, Lainey will continue to connect with fans via social media today by helping Country Hits Radio launch their #HomemadeCountryHits campaign with a Instagram takeover and IG live appearance at 8pm GMT, as well as a Facebook Live on One Country’s page, a live Skype appearance on Crave News, a Facebook Live on the Whiskey Riff page, and more.
These monthly releases come on the heels of Lainey’s 2019 EP, Redneck Hollywood. Produced by mastermind Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Keith Urban, Little Big Town), the title of the four-track project is drawn from lyrics in the semi-autobiographical track, “LA,” which celebrates the Louisiana native’s down-home upbringing, zest for life and dreams of making it in this big world. In just four songs (all of which she co-wrote), Redneck Hollywood highlights Lainey’s depth as an artist like never before as she offers a thoughtful look into her psyche and all of its complexity. Mixing traditional Country sounds with grit, soul and just a bit of funk, Lainey has developed her own “bell bottom country” sound that reflects both her personality and her preferred fashion aesthetic. Featured on the EP is her first Country radio single, “Dirty Looks,” which Rolling Stone dubbed “a clever, mid-tempo ballad that mixes double entendres with Wilson’s hazy vocals.”
Listen to Lainey Wilson everywhere digitally now.