Songs Hailey Whitters Wrote for Other Artists

Iowa-raised artist Hailey Whitters is making her name known after her recent release Raised. Raised, which features singles “Everything She Ain’t” and “The Neon,” follows the singer -songwriter’s records The Dream, and debut full-length assemblage Black Sheep. Currently, Whitters is signed to Big Loud Records’ imprint Songs and Daughter’s - a female only label. Here are a few songs that Hailey Whitters has written for other artists.

1. “Happy People” - Little Big Town

“Happy People,” written by Whitters and Lori McKenna, is featured on the country band’s eighth studio album The Breaker. Both songwriters have completed their own take on the song as McKenna’s version is on her record The Tree and Whitters’ rendition is on her record The Dream. “Happy People” is poised with upbeat instrumentation coupled with the importance of kindness. They sing, “If you wanna know the secret / Can't buy it, gotta make it / You ain't ever gonna be it / By takin' someone else's away / Never take it for granted / You don't have to understand it / Here's to whatever puts a smile on your face / Whatever makes you happy people.”

2. “The Older I Get” - Alan Jackson

Written by Whitters, Adam Wright, and Sarah Allison Turner, “The Older I Get” recorded by Alan Jackson is built on unconventional fiddle - Whitters’ specialty. Released in 2017, this single is one big life lesson. Jackson sings, “The older I get / The fewer friends I have / But you don't need a lot when the ones that you got / Have always got your back / And the older I get / The better I am / At knowing when to give / And when to just not give a damn / And if they found a fountain of youth / I wouldn't drink a drop and that's the truth / Funny how it feels I'm just getting to my best years yet / The older I get.”

3.“A Beautiful Noise” - Alicia Keys & Brandi Carlile

Released on October 20th, 2019, “A Beautiful Noise,” sung by Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile, was composed by a number of powerhouse songwriters. Written by Whitters, Carlile, Keys, Brandy Clark, Hillary Lindsey, Linda Perry, and Ruby Amanfu, this song was written to influence people to vote in the 2020 election. At a mere three minutes and nineteen seconds, the minor assemblage blends a perfect harmony of rhythm and blues stylistics and silvery keys. It's also nominated for Song of the Year at this year's Grammy Awards. “I'm not living to die / Don't stand in a wasteland / Look at me in the eye / Stop living a lie / And stand up next to me / You've got to put one foot in front of another / With a hand in a hand holding on to each other / Go on and rejoice / 'Cause you have a voice.”

4. “Same Devil” - Brandy Clark featuring Brandi Carlile

“Same Devil,” by Brandy Clark featuring Brandi Carlile is a painstakingly piercing country ballad. Clark, Marla Cannon, and Whitters wrote this song during the middle of the pandemic remotely and it found a spot on Clark’s collection Your Life is a Record.

5. “High Horse” - Kimberly Dunn

One of Whitters’ lesser-known songs is “High Horse” by Kimberly Dunn. This single was a new introduction to Dunn’s signature sound as it follows her Top 10 single “Trashy Side.”

To hear more of country music’s best new releases, head to our Playlists Page and follow The Nash New Releases playlist on Spotify. For the latest in country music news follow The Nash News on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, and don’t miss our brand new newsletter!