On the eve of the highly anticipated Twisters 2024 soundtrack’s release, country stars Miranda Lambert, Megan Moroney, Wyatt Flores, and Red Clay Strays talk Twisters: The Album.
The best movies often come with equally epic soundtracks, and the long awaited sequel to 1996’s Twister, Twisters, appears well poised to do the same.
Due out July 19, the score accompanying the film features a mix of mainstream and independent country music's best, including Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Tyler Childers, Wyatt Flores, Red Clay Strays, Miranda Lambert and Charley Crockett. It’s a star-studded compilation of over 29 entirely new songs that rivals what Yellowstone has built over its five seasons of merging music and Western drama.
Ahead of its release, C&I caught up with a handful of the country artists featured on the soundtrack to discuss their songs, what it means to be involved in the project, and more.
Miranda Lambert: “The original film was a big inspiration for the song.”
A Texas trailblazer who’s also called Oklahoma home for eight years, Miranda Lambert was smitten by the chance to be a part of the Twisters soundtrack. The three-time Grammy Award winner’s contribution to it, “Ain’t In Kansas Anymore,” is heavily inspired by the original 1996 film and will feature near the conclusion of its highly anticipated sequel.
Megan Moroney: “This movie will forever hold a place in my heart.”
Her new solo album (out July 12) may have people wondering Am I Okay?, but Megan Moroney leaves no doubts about herself being over the moon about being involved in the Twisters soundtrack. The “Tennessee Orange” singer dazzles on her cut for the project, “Never Left Me,” a heartfelt ballad that explores how things change with time but memories never fade away.
“This was the first time I have written something specifically for a movie or project that wasn’t my own,” explains Moroney. “I wrote “Never Left Me” with my co-writers who I wrote my song “No Caller ID” with and we came up with the idea to write about my childhood home. It’s about how you leave, but when you come back, nothing changes. It’s still the place that made you. It felt very true to me and I’m so happy it fits the movie.”
Red Clay Strays: “A huge opportunity and honor for us.”
Recorded with esteemed producer Dave Cobb — much like their soon-to-release sophomore album Made By These Moments — “Caddo County” is a fearsome Southern rock jam about a man living in Caddo County, Oklahoma. Written by the band’s electric guitarist Drew Nix along with Eric Erdman and Matthew Coleman — brother to the band’s frontman Brandon Coleman — the tune took on many forms before settling into the version cut for the Twisters soundtrack.
“Dave didn’t want so much of a story song. Instead he was wanting a strong Southern song,” describes Brandon Coleman. “Writing the song in the studio actually took longer than it did to record it. We sat there for five or six hours working out the lyrics. Being a part of the soundtrack is a huge opportunity and an honor for us to be included with so many other great artists.”
Wyatt Flores: “Never thought I’d be part of a movie soundtrack.”
For fast rising Oklahoma star Wyatt Flores getting to be part of the Twisters soundtrack is a full circle experience given he watched the original movie countless times as a child. “I couldn’t avoid it,” he jokes.
Inspired by seeing Charles Wesley Godwin take part in the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes last year, Flores co-wrote his song “Before I Do” with fellow upstart Jake Kohn in 10 minutes while a submission deadline loomed over him.
“We actually wrote “Before I Do” in my backyard while burning cardboard,” Flores admits with a chuckle. “We wrote to the soundtrack but at the same time we didn’t because it was my first time ever meeting or hanging out with Jake. Ever since he released “Frostbite” I’ve been a huge fan, so getting to see how he writes and to merge our styles together was a real treat.”
Twisters: The Album Track Listing
- Luke Combs – Ain't No Love In Oklahoma
- Miranda Lambert – Ain't In Kansas Anymore
- Conner Smith – Steal My Thunder (feat. Tucker Wetmore)
- Thomas Rhett – Feelin' Country
- Warren Zeiders – The Cards I've Been Dealt
- Megan Moroney – Never Left Me
- Lainey Wilson – Out of Oklahoma
- Bailey Zimmerman – Hell Or High Water
- Jelly Roll – Dead End Road
- Kane Brown – Country Classic
- Sam Barber – Tear Us Apart
- Tyler Childers – Song While You're Away
- Tucker Wetmore – Already Had It
- Leon Bridges – Chrome Cowgirl
- Benson Boone – Death Wish Love
- Shania Twain & BRELAND – Boots Don't
- Dylan Gossett – Stronger Than A Storm
- Lanie Gardner – Chasing The Wind
- Jelly Roll – Leave The Light On (feat. Alexandra Kay)
- Wyatt Flores & Jake Kohn – Before I Do
- The Red Clay Strays – Caddo County
- Tanner Usrey – Blackberry Wine
- Tanner Adell – Too Easy
- Mason Ramsey – Shake Shake (All Night Long)
- Tyler Halverson – New Loop
- Flatland Cavalry – Touchdown
- Nolan Taylor – Driving You Home
- Wilderado, Ken Pomeroy, & James McAlister – Wall of Death
- Charley Crockett – (Ghost) Riders In The Sky
Twisters: The Album will be available on July 19, the same day that the movie hits theaters. You can pre-order it here.
HEADER IMAGE: Courtesy of Sony
