Walker Hayes' new single "Craig" isn't a tear-jerker, or even a country weeper. But on the right day Nashville's most honest songwriter will crush you.

The amount of detail Hayes packs into 3:16 is astonishing. "Craig" is wordy, but not weighted down by detail. Without telling you it's a true story, he lets you know that every lyric is real, every emotion honest and every name kept the same to protect absolutely nobody's heart. The song is genre-less, but so genuine that all but the most hardened country traditionalists will keep their "it's not country" comments to themselves.

"Craig" transcends.

The final song on the Boom album is a bold choice for a country single, but sure to get a response from mass audiences. With repeated listens, this story of generosity, faith and perseverance will lose some bite. But even it it's not a No. 1, it's sure to be someone's Song of the Year.

Did You Know?: Hayes' wife Laney is expecting the couple's seventh child this spring or summer.

Walker Hayes Tells the Story of "Craig" 

Walker Hayes' "Craig" Lyrics:

I met Craig at a church called Redeeming Grace / It's like he understood my I don't want to be here face / I felt out of place and I smelled like beer / But he just shook my hand, said I'm glad you're here / He says we'll all be judged / But he was never judgmental / And even though my songs don't belong in no hymnal / He'd quote me my lyrics, slap me on the back / Said ‘Man you've got a gift! How you write like that?’”

Chorus:
Yeah I know, he sounds cool right / Not your typical kid from Sunday School, right / I still ain't figured out church yet / But Craig, I get / Nah he can't walk on water, turn the Napa Valley red / But he just might be tight with a man that did / Now he's not the light of the world / But I wish that mine was bright as his / Yeah he just might be tight with a man that is.

When you lose a record deal, yeah all the perks fade fast / Dealership said, ‘We're going to need to get that mini-van back’ / So we were down to one car / And broke as I felt / My wife and six kids and only five seat belts / I needed help but couldn't admit I was struggling / Said, ‘Craig, it's all good’ / But he knew it all wasn't / A ‘Hey man I'm praying for you’ would've been sufficient but nah / He took roadside assistance to a whole other level / To sacrificial heights / Showed up at the ballpark after my son's game one night / In two cars, with his wife Laura watching from the other / I said ‘What in the world are y'all doing here, brother?’ / He just laughed inside that old Chrysler Town and Country van / With the keys, and a title, and a pen in his hand / Said ‘Man, all you got to do is sign and it's yours’ / I said ‘No, no way’ / But he wouldn't take no for an answer / He said ‘Please do / Somebody did this for me once, just let me do this for you’ / We argued about it for a little while / Then I teared up, and Craig smiled.

My pride was way too ashamed to be adequately grateful at the moment / But I signed the dotted line, and I drove the kids home / And when the cop pulled up beside us / At the light, they didn't have to duck / Because thanks to Craig / They were all buckled up.

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