"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.
| "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Lainey Wilson | ||||
| from the album Bell Bottom Country | ||||
| Released | November 13, 2023 | |||
| Studio | Neon Cross Studios (Nashville) | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | BBR | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Jay Joyce | |||
| Lainey Wilson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" on YouTube | ||||
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
editWilson 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
editThe music video for "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" was directed by Patrick Tracy and premiered on March 9, 2024.[6] It won Video of the Year at the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
Charts
editThe song first impacted country radio on November 13, 2023, debuting on the Billboard Country Airplay chart at number 53.[7]
| Chart (2023–2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Country Hot 50 (The Music)[8] | 1 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] | 65 |
| Canada Country (Billboard)[10] | 1 |
| UK Country Airplay (Radiomonitor)[11] | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 48 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[13] | 5 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[14] | 8 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[15] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Hudak, Joseph (November 8, 2023). "Lainey Wilson Performs a Cinematic 'Wildflowers and Wild Horses' at 2023 CMAs". Rolling Stone Country.
- ^ Wendowski, Andrew (August 12, 2022). "Lainey Wilson Releases "Watermelon Moonshine" From Upcoming New Album 'Bell Bottom Country' [LISTEN]". Music Mayhem Magazine.
- ^ Liptak, Carena (16 August 2022). "Lainey Wilson Will Embrace Her Unique Flair In Her Next Album, 'Bell Bottom Country'". Taste of Country.
- ^ O'Connell, Madeline (16 November 2023). "Lainey Wilson Shares The Story Behind 'Wildflowers and Wild Horses,' And Why It Relates To Her Roots". Country Now.
- ^ Paul, Evan (November 11, 2023). "Lainey Wilson Celebrates Cowgirls in New Wrangler Commercial [Watch]". Taste Of Country.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson - Wildflowers and Wild Horses (Official Music Video)". YouTube. March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ @USRadioUpdater (November 1, 2023). "@laineywilson's "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" will impact US Country radio on November 13th" (Tweet). Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Countrytown Hot 50 – 2024, Week 21". Countrytown. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "The Official UK Radio Country Airplay Chart". X. April 28, 2024. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Lainey Wilson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Lainey Wilson – Wildflowers and Wild Horses". Music Canada. Retrieved July 15, 2024.