The prolific songwriter has released a powerful new single from his upcoming debut album.
After more than 15 years of writing literally hundreds of songs for such artists as Hootie and the Blowfish (“One Love”), Lee Brice (“Best Part of Me”), Kellie Pickler (“Selma Drye”), Josh Turner (“So Not My Baby”), and Charles Esten (“Whiskey Lips”), North Carolina native Phillip Lammonds is finally ready for his closeup. And his first solo album.
Cowboy Things, set for release April 5, was produced by Brice, his longtime friend, and features collaborations with such A-listers as Darius Rucker, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons — and actor Bill Murray, who co-wrote the song “Supposed to Fall in Love” after seeing Phillips perform in Charleston a decade ago. Take it from us: The title track is a keeper.
We’re happy to present the premiere of Lammonds’ next single, “Love is Love” featuring Darius Rucker, a deeply heartfelt and warmly embracing celebration of the emotion that should unite all of us.
“I wrote this song with Hannah Dasher, who I’ve known and written with for a bit, and Tiffany Goss, who I’ve collaborated with for a long time,” Lammonds told C&I. “We wrote the song at a place called Evins Mill outside of Nashville. We were out on a retreat, and at the time, we were getting new artists to go to a place off campus, away from Music Row, to mix it up a little bit. Both Hannah and Tiffany are kind of rapid-fire songsmith type people. It came from just a feel. We were all looking at each other, and it became a chant right there.
“The song is about how we’re not doing as much wrong as we think we are. In fact, we’re all trying. Everyone has a good eye on the ball. When I play the song live, people are really on the edge of their seats. Every time. I push every social button available, but when I get to the line ‘Love is love is love,’ you can see everybody start to relax, pull back and smile.”
What does the song mean to him personally?
“This song accidentally became a lot bigger than we ever dreamed it’d be,” Lammonds said. “When we approached it, my initial epiphany was that we were breaking all song structure rules. It starts with a chant, then has a second chorus chant, and we end the verses with the hook. I also like the fact we didn’t preach, and it just has a really kind message.”
And what was it like vocalizing with Darius Rucker?
“Darius and I have been friends for almost 30 years. Because of his background and our friendship, I never wanted to ask a favor or get leg up with any of his connections. I just really admire what he’s done, and I’m honored to be around the guy who has done it with such absolute seamlessness. When I called him about singing on this song, he said, ‘Sure. When?’ He showed up, brought it — I mean brought it — and there was no looking back. All high fives and thank you’s.”
Here is the music video for “Love is Love.”