The wait is over! Scotty McCreery has finally released his album ‘Seasons Change’ (on March 16th) – his first album in nearly five years. McCreery is a co-writer on the entire album, which is something he was very excited about. When we spoke to him last May, he shed some insight on what was to become ‘Seasons Change.’ “I think it makes it more personal and makes it sound like what I like my music to sound like. There’s something different about writing a song yourself,” he said, “It’s about what you were thinking that day and you write it the way you want it to be written.” With many of the same co-writers, there is much fluidity throughout Scotty’s stories. The entire album tells the narrative of his life, piece by piece.
1.) ‘Seasons Change’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, James McNair, and Tommy Cecil
Impression: The album opens with the sound of rain and thunder, with a muffled radio playing Scotty’s voice in the background – what a way to grab the attention of your audience with the first track! The title track is a definite summer song with happy vibes and riffs. The song defines getting over the obstacles in life just as quickly as the seasons change. Even when you think you can’t get make it through, just remember seasons change, and so do hard times. This song is a testament to all the big changes Scotty has endured over the course of his career, and he is embracing every one of them, just like he does when the seasons change.
Favorite Lyrics: Wintertime, springtime, summertime, fall. Good times, bad times, been through them all…
2.) ‘Wherever You Are’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers, and Dan Isbell
Impression: McCreery shows off some of his higher notes in ‘Wherever You Are.’ Yearning to be with the one you love and doing whatever it takes to do so is the main theme of this song. Another lighthearted melody with the usual catchy Scotty lyrics.
Favorite Lyrics: Enough of this damn being apart. I’ll fill up a tank or buy me a ticket, whatever it takes you know I’m with it.
3.) ‘Boys From Back Home’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, Dan Isbell, and Jason Gantt
Impression: ‘Boys From Back Home’ pays homage to McCreery’s friends and hometown activities. With many similarities to Kenny Chesney’s ‘I Go Back,’ the writers of this song hit home with reminiscing on the good times you had with your friends. This song is a classic McCreery song and gets you hooked within the first 30 seconds of listening.
Favorite Lyrics: And I go back in time to those October nights. And when I hear that song it don’t feel too long since things changed and life moved on…
4.) ‘Five More Minutes’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, Monty Criswell and Frank Rogers
Impression: The recent Number One plays out scenarios where people wish time would stop and allow them to get just “five more minutes” in that moment. In an interview with NECM last May, Scotty said, “you know, I didn’t really know what to expect. But it’s definitely the best response I’ve ever got from a song I’ve put out there. I knew it was a special song the day I wrote it. It’s my favorite song I’ve ever written.” McCreery actually debuted the song in 2016 at his memorable performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Scotty informed us,“I wrote it for my granddaddy. But then it took on the meaning of more than just life in general and just granddaddy. It’s talking about those moments in your life when you’re young and don’t have a care in the world.”
Favorite Lyrics: At eighty-six my grandpa said there’s angels in the room. With all the family gathered ’round, we knew that time was coming soon. With so much left to say I prayed ‘Lord I ain’t finished, just give us five more minutes.’
5.) ‘In Between’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers, Jessi Alexander, and Jonathan Singleton
Impression: ‘In Between’ could possibly be Scotty’s way of describing himself. He’s “a little bit of ball cap, little bit of pearl snap button down shirt” or between a “Friday night wild and quiet Sunday morning, between done after one and keep on pouring.” Rocking guitars take hold of this song, with a small intermission that you can drum to.
Favorite Lyrics: I can see your pretty eyes reading me like a map, wondering who I am and where I’m at.
6.) ‘This Is It’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers and Aaron Eshuis
Impression: ‘This Is It’ is one of the cutest songs by Scotty. This song paints the journey McCreery and his girlfriend, Gabi Dugal, went on during his proposal to her. It tells the story from his perspective and serves as a reflection of that moment and all the ones leading up to it. This is the classic Scotty that girls swoon over him for.
Favorite Lyrics: Now you’re walking down the aisle, and I can’t help but smile. This is it, this is now, it’s what I’ve been talking ‘bout. Looking out, I can see forever…
7.) ‘Wrong Again’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers, and Phillip White
Impression: ‘Wrong Again’ is quite possibly the best song of the album. Assuming it is telling the story of how McCreery and his long-time girlfriend met – he thought it would never turn into anything serious, but here she is still sitting there with her hand in his. With short and simple verses and long catchy choruses, this song is undeniably catchy and, as a disclaimer, listeners should be warned that it will get stuck in their head after the first listen!
Favorite Lyrics: I just knew there was nothing to it, just me and you until we just burned out. Wrong again…
8.) ‘Move It On Out’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, Dan Isbell, and Aaron Eshuis
Impression: ‘Move It On Out’ resembles much of Scotty’s earlier days and his single ‘Feelin’ It.’ With the same kind of tempo, rhythm, and syntax of the lyrics, you get the same chillin’ it vibe. This single is about feeling the bliss of starting a new chapter of your life.
Favorite Lyrics: Summertime’s a wastin. Girl, grab your things and let’s fire up the truck. You got me dying to see what’s hiding underneath that damned old cover-up.
9.) ‘Barefootin’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers, and David Lee Murphy
Impression: Twangy, old, country guitars accompanied with brass horns introduce Scotty through the noise with his low baritone on what appears to be a 90s styled track. ‘Barefootin’ brings you to a moonlit and fire light beach scene in your mind of two people dancing barefoot to this song. It’s very light, carefree, simple and easy. Another great song of this album.
Favorite Lyrics: Let’s do some barefootin’, come on good looking, kick off them shoes, let’s make tonight a good one…
10.) ‘Still’ – Written by Scotty McCreery and Aaron Eshuis
Impression: Track 10 is about treasuring the moment of finding your soulmate. Fans are used to slow Scotty love songs, however, this one will most definitely catch the heart and ears of many with its twist sonically. With a much more swaying tone and beat, McCreery’s lyrics will be hook-line-and-sinker for its listeners. ‘Still’ has a way of cutting deep into the souls of the listeners and will for sure be wedding song in the near future.
Favorite Lyrics: Every day changes but it doesn’t change the way you make me smile when you say my name. And when you laugh, it makes me laugh. And when you cry, it makes me cry. Yeah like it did back then, when we were just beginning, and girl it always will. I want you, I need you, still.
11.) ‘Home In My Mind’ – Written by Scotty McCreery, James McNair, and Tommy Cecil
Impression: The final track of the album dives into the bittersweet feeling of being homesick while on this crazy journey called life. For Scotty, it is being out on the road pursuing his dream. However, he may be 1,000 miles away from where he wants to be, the images in his mind help him cope with whatever he’s feeling and provides him relief.
Favorite Lyrics: When I’m fighting off the lonely just needing you to hold me, hung up in a hotel, there ain’t no telling girl where I’m at. But baby I’m coming back…
For all you McCreerians that have been waiting for this release, it’s finally here! Y’all need to check out the new and improved, and matured sound of Scotty McCreery on his album that retraces his steps through life and the big changes he has undergone. It has multiple tracks that can be potential future releases. If you’re big into storytelling albums, then this one is for you. Welcome back, Scotty. We missed you!
You can purchase ‘Seasons Change’ on iTunes here.