Watermelon Moonshine Explained

Watermelon Moonshine
Cover:WatermelonMoonshineLaineyWilson.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Lainey Wilson
Album:Bell Bottom Country
Released:May 30, 2023
Studio:Neon Cross Studios (Nashville)
Genre:Country
Length:3:28
Label:BBR
Producer:Jay Joyce
Prev Title:Save Me
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Wildflowers and Wild Horses
Next Year:2023

"Watermelon Moonshine" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in May 2023 as the second single from her third studio album, Bell Bottom Country.[1] It was written by Wilson, Josh Kear, and Jordan Schmidt, and was produced by Jay Joyce.[2]

Background and content

Lyrically, "Watermelon Moonshine" is a nostalgic description of a young and reckless love and has been compared to Deana Carter's signature hit "Strawberry Wine" from 1996.[3] Wilson said: "This song embodies what country music means to me, creating a timeless story that will resonate with people for generations to come. This song is about the crazy, young, nostalgic love we all hope to experience".[4]

The track was first released on August 12, 2022 as a promotional single alongside the announcement of Bell Bottom Country.[5]

Music video

The music video was directed by Alexa King Stone and Stephen Kinigopoulos and premiered on July 11, 2023.[6] It stars Rachel Lynn Matthews and Sam Sherrod, who act out the storyline of the song, depicting the unfolding of a young love, while scenes of Wilson performing the song in a field are interspersed as she narrates the story.[7]

A visualizer for the song premiered on August 12, 2022, before its release as a single.[8]

Chart performance

"Watermelon Moonshine" pulled in 63 first-week adds at country radio[9] and debuted at number 55 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated June 3, 2023.[10] It later reached number one in October on that chart, making it Wilson's third chart-topper, as well as the first chart-topper by a solo female artist since Wilson's own "Things a Man Oughta Know" two years prior.[11] It also spent two additional weeks at number one on the chart, making it only the third multi-week chart-topper by a solo female in the 2020s, after "The Bones" by Maren Morris and "The Good Ones" by Gabby Barrett.[12]

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 100
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[14] 36
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] 32

Notes and References

  1. https://twitter.com/FiddleSabre/status/1655937431500361732
  2. Web site: Bjorke . Matt . Lainey Wilson "Bell Bottom Country" Tracklist and Cover Art . RoughStock . 2022-08-17 . 2023-05-30.
  3. Lainey Wilson Writes Her Version of 'Strawberry Wine' With Nostalgic New Song 'Watermelon Moonshine'. Jon Freeman. August 12, 2022. Rolling Stone. May 30, 2023.
  4. Web site: Lainey Wilson serves up nostalgic 'Watermelon Moonshine'. Alysse Gafkjen. May 30, 2023. Rural Radio. May 30, 2023.
  5. Web site: Lainey Wilson Releases "Watermelon Moonshine" From Upcoming New Album 'Bell Bottom Country' [Listen]]. Andrew. Wendowski. August 12, 2022. Music Mayhem Magazine.
  6. Web site: Lainey Wilson - Watermelon Moonshine (Official Music Video) . .
  7. Web site: WATCH: Lainey Wilson's 'Watermelon Moonshine' Music Video Captures The Innocent Passion Of Young Love. Lauren Jo Black. July 11, 2023. Country Now. July 11, 2023.
  8. Web site: Lainey Wilson Releases Nostalgic 'Watermelon Moonshine' From Just-Announced New Album, 'Bell Bottom Country'. August 12, 2022. Country Now. May 30, 2023.
  9. Billboard Country Update. May 30, 2023. Billboard. May 30, 2023.
  10. Billboard Country Update. May 26, 2023. Billboard. May 30, 2023.
  11. Lainey Wilson Distills Her Third No. 1 on Country Airplay with 'Watermelon Moonshine'. Asker. Jim. September 29, 2023. October 1, 2023. subscription. Billboard.
  12. Web site: Lainey Wilson Follows Gabby Barrett and Maren Morris as the Only Female Artists This Decade with Multiple Weeks at No.1 Billboard Country Airplay Chart. Lauren Jo Black. October 6, 2023. Country Now. October 6, 2023.
  13. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 22, 2023.
  14. Country Airplay – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 21, 2023.
  15. Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 21, 2023.