I love that she called the song "Girl," since a common criticism of country radio is they play more songs with the word "girl" in the title (and sung/written by white men) than songs written or performed by actual girls.
"Morris' two co-writers on "Girl" have a pop music background. Aarons helped write "The Middle" while Kurstin has worked with Adele and Sia. It remains to be seen if Morris' music will lean into the edges of the country format but she has steadfastly said she is committed to country music."
Feb. 1 -- Riviera Maya, Mexico @ Brandi Carlile's Girls Just Wanna Weekend Feb. 15 -- George Town, Cayman Islands @ KAABOO Festival March 9 -- Chicago, Ill. @ Riviera Theatre + March 13 -- Nashville, Tenn. @ Ryman Auditorium + March 15 -- Kansas City, Mo. @ Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland + March 16 -- Oklahoma City, Okla. @ the Criterion + March 18 -- Denver, Colo. @ Fillmore Auditorium + March 19 -- Salt Lake City, Utah @ the Union + March 21 -- Portland, Ore. @ Crystal Ballroom + March 23 -- Seattle, Wash. @ Showbox SoDo + March 26 -- San Francisco, Calif. @ the Masonic + March 28 -- Anaheim, Calif. @ House of Blues Anaheim + March 30 -- Los Angeles, Calif. @ the Wiltern + April 11 -- Atlanta, Ga. @ Coca-Cola Roxy * April 12-14 -- Fort Lauderdale, Fla. @ Tortuga Festival April 18 -- Houston, Texas @ Revention Music Center * April 19 -- Dallas, Texas @ Bomb Factory * April 20 -- New Braunfels, Texas @ Whitewater Amphitheatre * April 25 -- Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Stage AE * April 26 -- Philadelphia, Pa. @ the Fillmore * April 27 -- Boston, Mass. @ House of Blues Boston * May 2 -- Washington, DC @ Anthem * May 3 -- Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Brooklyn Bowl * May 4 -- New York City @ Terminal 5 * May 9 -- St. Louis, Mo. @ the Pageant * May 10 -- Indianapolis, Ind. @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre * May 11 — Detroit, Mich. @ The Fillmore Detroit May 17 — Berlin, Germany @ Columbia Theatre May 18 — Cologne, Germany @ Kantine May 19 — Zurich, Switzerland @ Mascotte May 21 — Hamburg, Germany @ Gruenspan May 22 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso May 24 — Dublin, Ireland @ The Academy May 25 — Leeds, U.K. @ O2 Academy Leeds May 26 — Glasgow, U.K. @ O2 Academy Glasgow May 27 — Manchester, U.K. @ Albert Hall May 29 — Bristol, U.K. @ O2 Academy Bristol May 30 — Birmingham, U.K. @ O2 Institute May 31 — London, U.K. @ Royal Albert Hall June 15 — Manchester, Tenn. @ Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival June 21 — Chicago, Ill. @ LakeShake Festival July 19 — Brooklyn, Mich. @ Faster Horses July 20 — Eau Claire, Wisc. @ Country Jam USA Aug. 2 — Merritt, B.C. @ Merritt Rockin’ River Festival Aug. 3 — Duncan, B.C. @ Sunfest Country Aug. 8 — Oro Modonte, Ont. @ Boots and Hearts Music Festival Aug. 16 — Auckland, N.Z. @ The Logan Campbell Centre Aug. 17 — Christchurch, N.Z. @ Town Hall Aug. 19 — Brisbane, Australia @ Brisbane City Hall Aug. 21 — Melbourne, Australia @ Forum Theatre Aug. 22 — Sydney, Australia @ Enmore Theatre Aug. 23 — Canberra, Australia @ UC Refectory Aug. 30 — Grand Island, Neb. @ Nebraska State Fair +Cassadee Pope will open *RaeLynn will open
So many bigger artists are just testing the waters, they really want that BIG hit song to tag onto the whole album. If the first single fails, then they can move back the album release without actually saying it's moved.
I just don't think this song is going to be that kind of song, especially not with country radio being what it is right now. But we'll see.
Yeah I think that's my point. The label releases this first, not knowing if it will take off. IF it takes off, they announce an album. If not, they try with a second single. Just a guess!
Kind of seems counter-intuitive for an artist like Maren though, right? Like, capitalize on those Grammy nominations/the success of "The Middle" and get the single out along with an album preorder. A single that doesn't take off and months more waiting time probably just lets the anticipation cool off.
Oh it is FAR from preferable, but you can't force people to like a song. If they announce an album for like... March, and this single tanks, you lose so many sales. If you release this song, it tanks, then you try again and succeed, then release an album a few months later, then you get many more streams/sales
Come to think of it, this is definitely what they did with her first album too--just with an EP to test the waters rather than a standalone single. I think that was a missed opportunity too, though, since "My Church" was cooling off by the time they finally released the album and they did a shitty job at promoting "80s Mercedes." Worked out for her/them in the long run, though.
I agree, with My Church and then 80s Mercedes. Honestly she probably didn't have a whole album ready when My Church got big though.
I'm sure the album is done if she's going on tour for that long. They're either just waiting for a single to pop to push the pre-orders or they're still figuring out the packaging art. This song isn't as sticky as pretty much anything on the last album, but I love the lyrical introspection. Feels like a song written specifically by Maren Morris post-"Middle" whirlwind.
I'm pretty sure it was. That's kind of standard operating procedure with new country artists: record the album, pick 4-5 songs for an EP, hope a single catches on, and have the album ready to go if you wind up with a hit. Album is definitely done. She's tweeted about it and there have been listening parties. There might not be a title or cover yet, though.