The sophomore single from Nashville-based Dani Taylor is a romantic keeper.
Rising singing-songwriting talent Dani Taylor is out with a new wonderfully starry-eyed country love song, and we’re premiering it right here. Written with Will Rambeaux and Sherrie Austin, “Man of Few Words” brings to mind and heart the stage of love you wish were everlasting — and transports you right back to that relationship you thought would be.
The new tune follows Taylor’s spunky debut single, “Girl Most Likely,” which has already amassed more than 52,000 streams on Spotify alone. American Songwriter selected her as a Daily Discovery artist, noting a comparison to Taylor Swift, while CMT debuted the official music video for the song.
Based in Nashville since 2018, Taylor was born in Arizona and went to high school in Detroit. In college, she began listening to country music and got some traction on Facebook with Patsy Cline covers. Her practice of daily songwriting began after a romantic breakup.
“I want to be happy, and I want other people to be happy, even at their lowest,” Taylor says. “I want girls, the misunderstood, the underdogs, and anyone having a bad day or breakup to listen to my music and feel more empowered. I want people to go to my music to make them feel better. Through my music, I want to spread positivity and a healthier outlook on life and the future, for myself and for anyone who’s listening.”
We talked with Taylor about her songwriting and her new music.
Cowboys & Indians: You grew up in Arizona. How did your time in the West influence your songwriting?
Dani Taylor: I grew up in Arizona, but I mainly grew up in suburbia. It wasn’t until later that my parents bought a ranch on the outskirts of town. By the time they did that, I went to live with my grandma and attended a private school outside of Detroit for high school. My parents listened to a wide range of music. I grew up listening to a ton of alternative rock, reggae, Celtic music, Spanish guitar, and classical. While in Detroit, I listened to a lot of rap, pop, and EDM. It wasn’t until I came back to Arizona for college that I discovered country music. Growing up in Arizona didn’t have a huge impact on my songwriting. It was growing up between two states with such different cultures that really influenced me. Also, having parents with diverse taste in music and a grandmother who listens to classical music and teaches piano influenced me to appreciate all sorts of music. Pop music inspires me to stay positive and uplifting, while the rap I listened to in Detroit inspires me to stay true to myself and find my inner strength. The Celtic music I listened to growing up inspires me to write about the magic of life and the beauty of this world. I didn’t discover country music until I went to college, and it was then that I realized country music can tell a wide array of stories using many influences from other genres. Lyrically, I find country music extremely diverse when it comes to expressing emotions and stories, which is the reason I chose country music — or it chose me.
C&I: “Man of Few Words” is a departure from your first single — it’s more of a heartfelt ballad. How did the writing process differ from “Girl Most Likely”?
Taylor: “Girl Most Likely” was an anthem to myself and others about staying strong and true to who you are. It was my character-defining song that defines me at my core. I am strong, and even when all odds are against me and everyone thinks I’m going to fail, I still manage to find inner strength and the will to push through and prove others wrong and even overcome my own doubts. “Girl Most Likely” describes who I am as a person, while “Man of Few Words” is a look into my hopes and dreams for the future when it comes to love. I wrote “Man of Few Words” from my imagination. I have never dated a man of few words. I sure would like to someday. I wrote this song about my future husband, about the type of love I hope is expressed to me someday from the person I love. “Man of Few Words” is wishful thinking for me, while it’s a beautiful reality for others. I hope one day to make it a reality for myself. A girl can dream.
C&I: This song has a distinct wedding/romantic vibe. Did you intend for this to be used for those type of occasions?
Taylor: Yes, 100 percent yes. When the song was first mastered, I went and played it to a wedding video on YouTube, and it fit so well. I ended up playing it to other wedding videos, and it made me very emotional. It works for all wedding videos. Go try it — it’s weird! I actually ended up using a wedding videographer from Arizona, Ryan Fisico, at Wild Story Films to film the music video for “Man of Few Words,” which premieres on CMT.com on October 9th. My hope is for people to dance to this at their weddings or use it in their wedding videos. I really think it is a timeless song. It makes me emotional, and I’ve never had a love like that. If I ever get married, you better believe this song will be played at my wedding.
C&I: What are your plans for the end of the year and what’s in the works for 2021?
Taylor: I am releasing “Man of Few Words” on October 9th. I am also releasing an original Christmas song I have been holding onto called “Does It Snow in Nashville” on November 6th. I will be filming a full-length music video for the featured track on my upcoming EP in December. I plan on releasing one more single in January and then the full EP in February. I am so ready for 2021!
For more on Dani Taylor, visit her website, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, or Bands in Town.
