Luke Bryan is still having the time of his life in country music. Bryan, who just celebrated his 32nd No. 1 hit, with “Country Song Came On,” understands why the song was so successful for him.
“Anytime I’m having a big party on stage, and watching fans have fun, and escape the stress of their lives,” the 49-year-old ttells Billboard, explaining why he likes the song so much. “I got a special place for party songs.”
Bryan has spent the last several months on his Country Song Came On Tour, which wraps up in October.
“This year has been an amazing year for me, when I look at the touring side. Still selling out concerts and learning that what I say on stage is on TikTok the next day,” Bryan jokes. “So I gotta get a little better … I’m just enjoying every aspect of my career. I still love trying to be a better singer, songwriter and performer. And then the main thing is, get out there and try to keep having hits, and bringing the fans in.”
The Story Behind Luke Bryan’s “Country Song Came On”
“Country Song Came On” is from Bryan’s latest Mind of a Country Boy album, out in 2024. The song was written by Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver and Neil Medley, but could have been written by Bryan.
“From the time I was 16 years old till I got my record deal, I [played] most of my concerts in little bars and honky tonks,” Bryan tells Billboard.. “So I spent a good 12, 13 years playing in those environments and playing the Merle Haggard songs and the Waylon Jennings songs and the Keith Whitleys and all that. So it’s nice to find one like this that really is authentically me.”
Luke Bryan’s Next Album
Bryan hints that fans should expect the unexpcted with his next album, which he is working on even while on tour.
“It’s nice to kind of depart from what they expect and give them something new,” Bryan tells Country Countdown USA. “Now they’ll be wanting, hopefully, the next chapter of my singles, and keeping them guessing, and me trying to stay on top of my game.”
Bryan admits he would much rather look forward than behind, which is why he isn’t putting too much stock in the success of Mind of a Country Boy.
“I’m not good at anniversaries,” Bryan admits. “Things in my career will be dictated if I’m still having fun, and if people want to keep coming. Everything has a shelf life. I’ve yet to meet a country artist who does a good job at staying retired. I don’t imagine I’ll be a good retired country singer.”
Bryan is always writing songs, which makes it hard to narrow down what he will include on his next project.
“I’m actively writing songs,” Bryan tells The Tennesseean. People always ask me, ‘Are you working on a new album?’ I don’t think I ever stop really working on a new album. I’m always trying to write a little bit and find songs. … But the bottom line is, get in the studio at some point and record some new music, and just keep doing the deal. Keep enjoying being a country music singer.”