Eric Church Says New Single ‘Talladega’ is ‘Really About Life’

Eric Church has released his new single, 'Talladega,' from 'The Outsiders.' While the title might indicate the tune is about auto racing, Church says that couldn't be further from the truth.

"It has nothing to do with that," he tells Billboard. "That is nothing more than the avenue through which the commentary took place. It’s really about life."

Adds co-writer Luke Laird, "You hear the title, and you think it’s gonna be this joke song or something like 'Talladega Nights,' the movie. Then they realize that, yes, that’s the title, but it’s so much bigger than that."

The tune is a nostalgic look back for the North Carolina native at some of his own favorite memories.

"NASCAR was as hot as any sport back in the ’90s, and it was a thing where a group of your buddies go take stuff, tents, camp out, stay a few days, walk back and forth to the track,” Church recalls. “We actually lost the damn car, you know; you’re so far away. I can’t tell you who won the race, but I could tell you all the experiences we had in a two- or three-day period."

'Talladega' is the fourth single from 'The Outsiders.' The title track landed in the Top 10, while 'Give Me Back My Hometown' soared to the top of the charts, and the third single, 'Cold One,' made it into the Top 20.

"It’s just time for 'Talladega,'" Church explains. "I feel the demand for it live, I hear it from people, I hear it from radio. I get it, so this is one of those times where I’m gonna cooperate."

Church will continue his Outsiders World Tour this week with shows in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. See all of his upcoming concerts here.

Download 'The Outsiders' here.