Don't Let Her

Album: 8Tracks (Vol. 3): Black Sheep (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Walker Hayes and his wife Laney have been together since high school. The idea of this soulful song is if Hayes should leave this planet before her, he wanted to help the next man who comes along.

    We always said we'd go together
    But if I'm just half of her forever
    This goes out to whoever
    Takes my place


    Hayes goes on to list some of Laney's likes, dislikes and personality quirks

    Don't you dare come home if you're hammered
    Better watch your mouth and your grammar
    She loves babies, hates glitter
    You better shave before you kiss her
    And if she ever misses me, please, don't let her


    The lyric explains why you'll never see Walker Hayes with a beard.
  • The song originated when Hayes was touring the UK and missing Laney and the rest of his family. The singer explained in a press release that he started jotting down specifics about his wife, "things that if somebody were to hang out with her, what would they need to know about her." Shortly after, he put those thoughts to music.
  • During Live in the Vineyard Goes Country 2019 in Napa, California on May 14, 2019, Hayes explained that he co-wrote "Don't Let Her" with Shane McAnally and Andrew DeRobert at a time when he was really struggling with the June 2018 death of his newborn daughter Oakleigh. The idea for the heartwarming song was inspired by the idea of loved ones moving on after we're gone.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.