Hunter Hayes, ‘Wanted’ – Song Review

Hunter Hayes' 'Wanted' is a powerful pop-country ballad that in less than four minutes shows why the young singer belonged on the Rascal Flatts tour this winter. It's a song that's perfect for the trio's audience -- and luckily, they've got a really big audience.

Hayes shows he's a more than capable vocalist on this sincere and emotional cut from the 'Hunter Hayes' album. He is perhaps the most well-rounded country newcomer since the Band Perry, who posted multiple chart-topping hits from their debut album.

"Like everything that's green girl I need you / But it's more than one and one makes two / Put aside the math and the logic of it  / You gotta know you're wanted to," Hayes sings early in this love letter to a girl who is feeling less than adequate.

While the 20-year-old showed he's capable of riffing on every instrument short of the tuba on his debut single 'Storm Warning,' his songwriting abilities are the feature tool on 'Wanted.' It's a mature lyric that will wrap around the hearts of country loving women nationwide. One envisions high-school couples labeling this "our song" after a spin around the gymnasium. There's little doubt this song will find more chart success than his Top 20 debut.

"'Cause I wanna wrap you up / Wanna kiss your lips / I wanna make you feel wanted / And I wanna call you mine / Wanna hold your hand forever / And never let you forget it / Yeah I wanna make you feel wanted," Hayes sings during the chorus.

'Wanted' is familiar without being generic and catchy without being syrupy. Once again he's played every note on every instrument, but that's far less impressive than his words and song structure. The ACM New Artist of the Year nominee is poised to do some very big things in 2012 and the years to come.

Listen to Hunter Hayes' 'Wanted'