Keith Urban Enjoying an Edgier ‘Long Hot Summer’

Keith Urban is having a hot summer indeed. The guitar slinger is crossing the country on his Get Closer world tour, performing his current Top 30 single, 'Long Hot Summer,' which he wrote with '80s pop icon Richard Marx.

"We hadn't written a lot in the last year or two," the father of two explains on his blog. "I really loved writing with him. We wrote 'Better Life' on the last record and 'Everybody' on the last album as well. I just really wanted to write with him again. He came to Nashville and we did a typical sort of drum machine and little loop groove. I like the drive and the edgier sort of thing."

The husband of actress Nicole Kidman also sang about his favorite season in his 2009 hit, 'Til Summer Comes Around.' It's a theme he hopes to continue in the future. "I like to have at least one good summer song on the record," says Keith. "It's been a hit for touring. It's always good having those songs."

The singer-songwriter says he was inspired to pen 'Long Hot Summer' by thinking of a specific scenario. "I love radio songs, and there are certain songs that I write specifically trying to hear them on the radio or just in the car," he tells The Boot. "That's the place I usually have in mind when I write. I still love hearing music in a car more than anywhere."

Keith's Get Closer tour, which includes opening act Jake Owen, heads to Massachusetts tonight (July 8), followed by two weekend shows in Connecticut. Keep track of his concert schedule here, and click below to watch The Boot's exclusive behind-the-scenes tour video with Keith.