Back at the end of 2014, when Brett Young and co-writer Jesse Lee wrote the song “Like I Loved You,” the country singer had no way of knowing whether or not it would ever see the light of day. “Jesse and I wrote that song before I’d taken a single label meeting,” Young recalled to the Boot and other reporters in a recent press conference, which also included Lee. “I didn’t have a publishing deal. We were just in a write together.”
Three and a half years later, Young’s career has seen some impressive development: In 2017 alone, the singer dropped his eponymous debut album, bagged two No. 1 singles (also his first two singles off the album), headlined his first tour and hit the road with big-name artists such as Luke Bryan, and received his first-ever CMA nod. Things haven’t slowed down in 2018, either: Young’s been nominated for an ACM Award — oh, and he also got engaged, just for good measure.
“There are ‘pinch-me’ moments every day,” Young says. “When you move to town you hope that you’ll have enough success that people might recognize you when you walk into a restaurant — I mean, that’s not the goal, but it’s a byproduct. Then, when that does start happening, you realize, ‘Wait a minute, that song we wrote — that’s important to people!’
“I think that people care about the music I’m putting out is the most flattering, humbling thing,” he continues.
That “Like I Loved You” topped the charts as a single was especially meaningful to both Young and Lee, as it’s a song that Young fought to include on his record, and also one that had been around for almost three years before it was released to radio. The song became Young’s third No. 1 and Lee’s second (her first was “Peter Pan,” which was recorded by Kelsea Ballerini); still, the excitement of topping the charts called for some celebration.
“I don’t even like champagne that much, but I had to get some champagne for this one,” Young recalls.
Adds Lee, “Kelsea sent me some champagne after “Peter Pan” [hit No. 1].”
“Well, maybe I’ll have to send you some champagne then,” Young jokes back.
“You have to make some time to sit back and appreciate success,” he continues, on a more serious note. “Sometimes you get so busy you forget to sit back and remind yourself that you have an accomplishment, you know? You gotta feel the love.”
Watch Brett Young Perform “In Case You Didn’t Know” in Nashville
This Article Was Originally Posted at www.TheBoot.com
