Hunter Hayes Debuts New Single, ’21’ [LISTEN]

Taylor Swift may have been feeling 22, but Hunter Hayes' new single takes its inspiration from a big milestone that happens one year earlier: turning 21.

The peppy, poppy, upbeat tune features Hayes urging the person he's talking to through the lyrics to "party like we just turned 21" because, as he sings later, "ain't nobody has to act their age."

"It's about the spirit of a feeling, of freedom ..." Hayes tells Bobby Bones. "It's all about that feeling of excitement and anticipation of whatever's next, and just happiness. It's a celebration, it's a celebration of life, and it's really fun to sing live, too!"

"Life ain't long enough / so let's celebrate," the singer-songwriter -- who's currently 23 -- sings in the song's first verse. The chorus features lines like "That's the way that we're doin' it, doin' it / We go big, or we go back home / People lookin' at us like we're losin' it, losin' it / Baby, we ain't doin' nothin' wrong / Gonna be up all night / Chasing the sunrise / Like we're wild and young / Baby, kids on the run ..."

"21," which Hayes has been playing live recently, was written by Hayes, along with Dallas Davidson, Kelley Lovelace and Ashley Gorley. The tune is from an upcoming project, which will be Hayes' third major-label record. The artist says that he's been writing more lately than ever before, but he's been tight-lipped about the details.

“When I’m in the studio, I’m very cautious about it because if there’s one thing that can destroy music being made, it’s any sort of agenda, expectation and / or schedule or any of that,” Hayes tells The Boot. “Every time I’ve gone in to create music and felt free and felt like I was actually creating something, it’s turned out something I’m really proud of, so I try to keep that as a tradition."

There is no word yet on the project's title, release date or other details.

"21" will be available on all streaming services and digital retailers like iTunes beginning on May 26.

Listen to Hunter Hayes, "21":

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