The corn queen is back.
Hailey Whitters released her first single in almost two years today, a beautiful and striking tune called “Casseroles,” which she wrote alongside Hillary Lindsey, Tom Douglas and James Slater.
Hailey says the song was inspired by the loss of her own brother thirteen years ago, and how she learned to navigate grief and life from that tragic point forward. She was particularly struck by the thought of, “What happens when the casseroles stop coming and everyone has moved on, but it feels like you never will?” which is something I think many people who have lost someone close to them can relate to:
“I was sent this record from three of my favorite collaborators who’ve written many songs that have defined the foundation of my appreciation for modern country music — Hillary Lindsey, Tom Douglas and James Slater. During my first listen, I was absolutely floored.
I lost my brother suddenly thirteen years ago, and from that moment on, my life was changed forever. I particularly remember everyone bringing loads of food and casseroles over and how I couldn’t eat for days because I was so distraught. Remembering that moment was what made this song hit so heavy for me.
What happens when the casseroles stop coming and everyone has moved on, but it feels like you never will? As heavy and somber as the lyric and melody is, I also think there’s hope in the message and pray that it lands between ears that need to hear it.”
The lyrics paint a sad picture of life after loss, and how lonely it can feel to be surrounded by people yet feel like your “under the ocean”:
“Joe lost his wife, he’s lost in the blue
He wonders what he’s gonna do
When the casseroles stop coming
Right now his house is packed to the gills
Everyone’s dressed in black ties and heels
And they’re all floating round the room
But he feels like he’s under the ocean”
It can be difficult to write a song about grief and capture the sad, dark and even hopeful feelings in such a powerful way, but this song is a winner and the concept of having people bring food, and obviously casseroles, after the loss of a loved one is so universal and hits close to home for many.
If you’re unfamiliar with Hailey’s other music, you should know that she got her start in Nashville as a very talented writer, and has released several great albums in Black Sheep, The Dream and Raised. Most recently, in 2023, she put out a great EP called I’m In Love.
Additionally, that same year, Whitters was nominated for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards and took home the ACM Award for New Female Artist of the Year. She also saw her Platinum hit “Everything She Ain’t” debut on the Billboard Hot 100, and scored her first top 20 hit at country radio with it as well.
She’s collaborated lately with Evan Honer and even Brooks & Dunn, and will perform at Morgan Wallen’s inaugural Sand in My Boots festival on May 16th in Gulf Shores, Alabama, as well as Under the Big Sky Music Festival in Montana.
I’m hopeful that this is just the start of more new music to come from the Iowa native in 2025, and you can listen to “Casseroles” below.
“Casseroles”
“Everything She Ain’t”
