Riley Green is opening up about his new album, That’s Just Me. Out on September 18, the 19-track record includes his current single, “Think As You Drunk I Am,” plus his “Go Again” duet with Hannah McFarland, “My Way,” and more.
Green wrote or co-wrote most, but not all, of the songs on That’s Just Me. Still, the 37-year-old says all of the songs resonate with him in some capacity.
“There’s a lot of truth in the songs,” Green tells American Songwriter. “If it’s not about something that actually happened to me, it’s about something that’s happened in my life. I think that fans of country music always want to believe a lyric’s true, so I try to make it as real as I can.”
With that said, Green is one of the few artists who not only writes most of his songs, but does some of his best work, like “Worst Way” and “Don’t Mind If I Do,” by himself.
“I learned how to write by playing shows and trying stuff out,” Green explaisn. “I didn’t write by myself because I wanted to; I just didn’t know anybody else that wrote songs. So I wrote because I got tired of playing the same cover songs at every show.”
“I figured out that if I could write a song, that’s how I could separate myself,” he adds. “I don’t know that I’ve written a song the same way twice. There’s something really simple about how I naturally say things in a way that’s really relatable and easy to follow.”
Green hints that, much like his previous Don’t Mind If I Do album, That’s Just Me will have a wide variety of tunes.
“Something I’m always going to make my goal is to have a lot of different types of songs stylistically on a record. … I think this one’s got a lot of that,” Green says.
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Riley Green Talks Success As a Songwriter
Indeed, Green has had plenty of success as a songwriter, including No. 1 hits, platinum-selling songs, and a trophy case full of awards. Refreshingly, that matters little to Green.
“It’s financially beneficial to have a number one song as a songwriter. But I love when people connect to a lyric, and it means something to them,” Green says. He also points out that he is likely one of the few remaining writers who doesn’t use AI when writing a song.
““I struggle to think that there’s a machine that’s going to make you feel emotion like something you’ve been through does,” Green says. “My favorite songs have real emotional meaning and I think that’s where the storytelling of country music comes from.”
Riley Green’s New Role As a Coach on ‘The Voice’
Photo Credit: NBC / Trae Patton
If there’s a list of superstars in country music right now, Green’s name might be at the top. In addition to his songwriting career, Green recently appeared in the hit TV show Marshals. He’s also about to make his debut as a coach on Season 30 of The Voice.
“When those things came together, it made me think that was something that was meant to be,” Green says, speaking of his gig on The Voice. “It’s a great career stepping stone for me to get in front of a new audience.”
As for what Green is looking for on The Voice, his answer is clear and concise.
“A voice that is believable with lyrics,” Green says. “If somebody can make me believe what they’re singing about, that always draws me in.”
By his own admission, Green has come a long way since growing up in Jacksonville, Alabama.
“I was really fortunate that my success was very gradual in a small town. [Fame] is definitely something that takes getting used to. It’s a wild ride when you get to that place,” Green maintains. “The opportunities I’m getting with The Voice, I know it’s only going to take it to another place. I hope that I can find some time to slow down and appreciate it.”
Photo Credit: CMA / Natsha Moustache