Wildflowers and Wild Horses explained

Wildflowers and Wild Horses
Cover:Wildflowers_and_Wild_Horses.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Lainey Wilson
Album:Bell Bottom Country
Released:November 13, 2023
Studio:Neon Cross Studios (Nashville)
Genre:Country
Label:BBR
Producer:Jay Joyce
Prev Title:Watermelon Moonshine
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Hang Tight Honey
Next Year:2024

"Wildflowers and Wild Horses" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released on November 13, 2023, as the third single from her third studio album, Bell Bottom Country. It was written by Wilson alongside Trannie Anderson and Paul Sikes, and was produced by Jay Joyce. Wilson performed the track live for the first time at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards.

Lyrically, the song delivers a message of perseverance and freedom via the imagery of the American West and relates to Wilson's upbringing in rural Louisiana.[1]

Background and content

Wilson announced her second major label studio album, Bell Bottom Country, on August 16, 2022, with "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" included as the fourteenth track.[2] The album was released on October 28, 2022.[3]

Discussing the single, Wilson explained “This one definitely shows that western side, it takes me back to my childhood. It takes me back to my roots. I come from a long line of hardheaded tough people and people who have kind of blazed their own trails. I’m from five generations of farmers in northeast Louisiana, and I always compare farming to the music business. I mean, you get up every day, do the same thing, you have good years, you have bad years, but you just keep on blazing that trail. So I think it’s just kind of digging a little deeper into my story.”[4]

The song is featured prominently in a Wrangler commercial starring Wilson.[5]

Music video

The music video for "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" was directed by Patrick Tracy and premiered on March 9, 2024.[6]

Charts

The song first impacted country radio on November 13, 2023, debuting on the Billboard Country Airplay chart at number 53.[7]

Chart (2023–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia Country Hot 50 (The Music)[8] 1
UK Country Airplay (Radiomonitor)[9] 2

Notes and References

  1. Lainey Wilson Performs a Cinematic 'Wildflowers and Wild Horses' at 2023 CMAs. Joseph. Hudak. Rolling Stone Country. November 8, 2023.
  2. Web site: Lainey Wilson Releases "Watermelon Moonshine" From Upcoming New Album 'Bell Bottom Country' [LISTEN]]. Andrew. Wendowski. August 12, 2022. Music Mayhem Magazine.
  3. Web site: Lainey Wilson Will Embrace Her Unique Flair In Her Next Album, 'Bell Bottom Country'. Carena. Liptak. Taste of Country. 16 August 2022 .
  4. Web site: Lainey Wilson Shares The Story Behind 'Wildflowers and Wild Horses,' And Why It Relates To Her Roots. Madeline. O'Connell. Country Now. 16 November 2023 .
  5. Lainey Wilson Celebrates Cowgirls in New Wrangler Commercial [Watch]]. Evan. Paul. Taste Of Country. November 11, 2023.
  6. Web site: Lainey Wilson - Wildflowers and Wild Horses (Official Music Video). March 9, 2024. YouTube. March 9, 2024.
  7. USRadioUpdater. 1719907809415090311. @laineywilson's "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" will impact US Country radio on November 13th. November 1, 2023. December 5, 2023.
  8. Web site: Countrytown Hot 50 – 2024, Week 21. https://web.archive.org/web/20240524124126/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://countrytown.com/charts/countrytown-hot-50?year=2024&week=21. May 24, 2024. Countrytown. May 24, 2024.
  9. Web site: April 28, 2024 . The Official UK Radio Country Airplay Chart . https://web.archive.org/web/20240423210712/http:///twitter.com/ARCountry/status/1784626908354757118 . April 23, 2024 . May 1, 2024 . X.