Eric Paslay Is Getting Everything He ‘Ever Wanted’

As if releasing his debut single, 'Never Really Wanted,' to iTunes and radio this week isn't reason enough to celebrate, newcomer Eric Paslay is also marking his first No. 1 hit as a songwriter.

Jake Owen's 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night,' which Eric co-penned, tops the country singles charts this week. The Texas native certainly could've kept the song for his own album, but admits he's quite happy Jake cut it. And as it turns out, he has someone other than Jake to thank.

"I was almost finished with my record," Jake tells The Boot. "I had that song in my email. I listened to it over and over one night when my girlfriend at the time came downstairs, and we were breaking up. She said, 'You're an idiot if you don't record this.' I think she thought I was an idiot anyway, which is why she was leaving, but I did listen. [laughs]

"I already knew in my mind it was a good song, but when she said that, I was like, 'Alright, I'm cutting it,'" continues Jake, who titled his new album after the song. "It's weird, I knew it would be a hit, but I didn't know it would be this big. I don't know what else to base it off of, because I've never had anything like that. I've had hits on the radio, but this is different. I keep telling folks, there's a difference between a hit song and a career song, and this is a career song."

Eric also claims credit on Lady Antebellum's 'Friday Night,' which is featured on the group's upcoming album, 'Own the Night,' out September 13, along with 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart,' the opening track on Eli Young Band's latest record, 'Life at Best.' Even with all his current songwriting success, Eric is remains focused on launching his own career as an artist.

"I'm excited about the record. I've been in Nashville for eight years and haven't really been able to release any music to my fans yet. It will be nice to finally get music to them," Eric tells Taste of Country. "We had a total of 33 songs mastered when we finally signed the record deal over at EMI Records Nashville. It was a little painful narrowing it down to the 11 songs, but I'm looking forward to people hearing it."

'Never Really Wanted' is Eric's debut single as an EMI Records Nashville artist. Click here to learn more about the talented singer-songwriter.