Wanna Be That Song

Album: Illinois (2015)
Charted: 46
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was sparked by an open-ended question that was posed to Eldredge by a reporter. He explained to Billboard magazine: "I got the idea when an interviewer asked me what I wanted to do with my music, or what I wanted my message to be."

    "I thought about seeing people getting engaged or married to 'Mean To Me,' or the fact that a couple might have met while 'Beat of the Music' was playing, and now it was their song," Eldredge continued. "I said I want to be that song that makes you fall in love - or dance or laugh and have fun. The idea stuck with me."

    A little while later, Elderidge was about to go on the stage at Kansas Speedway, and he had Scooter Carusoe with him who had written "Mean to Me" with the singer. Eldredge looked at Carusoe as he was walking on stage and said, "I wanna write a song called 'I Wanna Be That Song.'"

    Three months later, Carusoe reminded him of the idea and the pair sat down and penned the tune - and it ended up being one of Eldredge's favorite songs he's ever written. "I want to be that song that helps you through something, or that made you fall in love or made you want to dance," he explained.
  • The black-and-white baseball-themed video shows a beardless Eldredge portraying a 1940s Cubs star who has dreamed of playing in the major leagues since he was a kid. The clip was filmed at Chicago's Wrigley Field, the first ever music video to be shot at the famous baseball park.

    "I grew up three hours south of Chicago - it was always a journey to come up and we'd plan trips around it," Eldredge told People. "Then I went to college in the suburbs for my first year, so I spent a lot of time in the city and man, it's like my second home. I've been a lifelong Cubs fan."

Comments: 1

  • Carrie Sue from Traver, CaliforniaZoot suit would look amazing on you Mr Brett Ryan Eldredge.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.