Kenny Chesney has a big hit at radio right now, with “Carry On,.” The song, which is his 100th charting single, is from a forthcoming new album.

“When I think about ‘American Kids,’ ‘Young,’ ‘You and Tequila,’ ‘When the Sun Goes Down,’ all the way back to ‘The Tin Man,’ it’s hearing my life in music,” Chesney tells Billboard, referring to some of his former hit singles. “To be told ‘Carry On’ is my 100th charting single, I feel like this is a life that’s not just well-lived, but has so much more great music ahead.”

Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about Chesney’s “Carry On.”

Who Wrote Kenny Chesney’s “Carry On”

“Carry On” is written by Chase McGill, Matt Jenkins, and Jessi Alexander.

What Kenny Chesney Says About “Carry On”

Chesney, who is a gifted songwriter, knew as soon as he heard “Carry On” that he wanted to include it on his next record.

“Sometimes you lock in, thinking a song is supposed to be one place, and you miss where it might fit better,” Chesney says of “Carry On.” “But the more I looked, the more I kept coming back to ‘Carry On,’ because even more stripped down and acoustic, you couldn’t miss what that chorus was saying. Like ‘American Kids’ or ‘Get Along,’ this is one of those songs that no matter what’s happening in your life, it lifts you up higher and tells you to get out there and really live.”

Chesney especially loves the message in “Carry On,” which fits perfectly with a lot of the other songs that he has released over the years.

“Nothing lifts a mood like music. It’s something people can find their attitude adjustment in without doing too much work,” Chesney reflects. “I love that this song says, ‘Get out there and sing, even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket – because that’s real. We don’t care how you sound, we just wanna see everybody with their hands up, singing along with everything they’ve got. Those songs that change your energy are everything.”

What Kenny Chesney Says About His Next Album

Chesney’s last album, Born, came out in 2024. After the record, Chesney released his  Heart Life Music memoir. But now, the Country Music Hall of Fame member is ready to get back to making music again.

“A lot has happened over the last year, but the truth is I’ve been collecting some of these songs for over a decade,” Chesney says. “I knew when we decided to do the next album, I wanted a record that leaned into being an album, not a concept, but a collection of songs that took you somewhere emotionally or mentally.

“I never stop listening, or writing, or recording,” he continues. “But a few of these songs started pulling towards each other – and this album started to take shape. When you’re competing with yourself, what you’ve already recorded, it sets a pretty high bar. I don’t think I realized how really strong this collection was until I stepped back and looked at everything we’ve got.”

As excited as fans are for Chesney to release another album, no one is likely as excited as the talented singer.

“Unlike Heart Life Music, there was no hard deadline,” Chesney reflects. “Now I feel like there is some real hunger for this music. The world is in such a divided place, I think music that brings people together, that reminds them of their actual feelings is what they’re looking for – and that’s always been what holds my music together.”