Lane's signature is the falsetto. In Lane's hands, mixing those earth-shattering high notes with banjo plucks and a danceable beat (whether that dancing is done in cowboy boots or Nike sneakers) has never felt more natural, or so unique. He may have some Girl Problems, as the title of his forthcoming debut album suggests, but he has no problem at all weaving a fresh sound that both thrills country fans and encourages pop faithfuls to dip a toe into his side of the Mason-Dixon.
After touring with Dustin Lynch, Kelsea Ballerini and Rascal Flatts, Lane has been making a name for himself as one of the genre's most groundbreaking new stars: his first single, "Fix," is bound for the top of the country radio charts and just passed both 20 million streams on Spotify and over 3.5 million views on Vevo, making waves for how effortlessly it blends progressive pop and that sultry falsetto with his country roots. It's a record-breaker, too: the song has accumulated the most first week single adds from a debut male artist in Country Aircheck history, all while drawing praise from the likes of Selena Gomez, Lucy Hale, Daughtry and more. Now, Lane's ready to share Girl Problems with the world, his much-anticipated debut LP produced by Joey Moi (Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen) to be released by Big Loud Records on August 5th.
Originally from North Carolina but now residing in Nashville, Lane once thought his life was heading in an entirely different direction: an ace athlete, he played football and baseball until an injury sidelined him permanently. Looking for an outlet, he turned to the guitar – he'd always loved music growing up, and listened to everything from Garth Brooks and Usher to Justin Timberlake – and it quickly turned from a hobby into a downright passion. He started playing in a cover band and became a must-see act in town, all while starting to write his own songs, a talent that came unexpectedly easily.
"Once I got a taste of what it was like to be on stage," says Lane, "and more and more people came out to the shows, I thought, 'well, I should try and write my own music.' I sat down and wrote twelve songs. After that, it instantly felt like music was what I truly was supposed to be doing. I discovered a passion I never thought I could have."
Soon, Nashville came calling, and it wasn't before long that he found himself working with Moi, who was instantly drawn to his cutting-edge originality and ability to transcend genres. One day in the studio, Lane was singing an Usher song to himself while Moi was working behind the controls – including all of the high, falsetto notes that are impossible for most to even approach. And, suddenly, a light bulb went off: they realized they could integrate those vocal abilities into Lane's music in way that country had never quite done before. "I'm so glad we discovered that," says Lane. "It's out of the box for country music, and that's how I like to be."
Once Lane felt free to unleash those killer vocals, everything fell into place: it was the thread that laced together his diverse pop and country influences, and "Fix," written by Sarah Buxton, Jesse Frasure and Abe Stoklasa, was the first piece of that puzzle (and also the title of his debut EP). Girl Problems – named as an ode not only to the difficulties of romance but the beauty of learning from missteps and mistakes - takes the ride one step further, pushing even more boundaries, packing more surprises and, most of all, always remembering to make people dance or sing along. From the smooth, R&B vibe of "Who's It Gonna Be" that absolutely smashes with its infectious, eighties-pop infused chorus; to the twang disco of "All The Time"; to the mid-tempo "For Her," which Lane describes as his "Backstreet Boy" moment – if the Backstreet Boys played a little banjo – it's a contemporary ride from one exciting corner of the genre to the next, reinventing country with every octave.
"I love what Florida Georgia Line is doing, and what Sam Hunt has done," says Lane. "They have created something that was unique to country that nobody else had tried. That's how I strive to create music, too. To infuse so many different aspects and influences into one unique sound, that always pushes forward."
Florida Georgia Line, in fact, has been a mentor of sorts to Lane – they recognized his talent early on and took him on the road before anyone barely knew his name. It was a good gamble – audiences loved his high-energy, captivating performances, and other artists like Rascal Flatts snatched him up as a tourmate, too. Tireless on the road and always on all cylinders at every show, Lane attributes his work ethic to his years as an athlete.
"I guess I've gone from playing baseball in stadiums to singing in stadiums," Lane laughs. Either way, he's still hitting soaring homeruns.
Maybe
Chris Lane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You broke me down for so long
I been going over the things I could have done
But you never loved me enough
'Cause all I know is that letting you pull my strings is getting old, so old
I played your part, but it's time you said
Maybe if you love me just a little bit better
Well maybe there was nothing I could do at all
You said, maybe if we spent some time apart
Picking up the pieces of a broken heart
But maybe there was nothing I could do at all, all
I stumbled home through the night
And as you slipped into my mind, mmm
We tried for so long, but you set the stage for the fall
My heart needs to learn that you're gone
'Cause all I know is that letting you pull my strings is getting old, so old
I'm putting these ghosts to rest, so don't say
Maybe if you get your act together
Maybe if you love me just a little bit better
Well maybe there was nothing I could do at all
You said, maybe if we spent some time apart
Picking up the pieces of a broken heart
But maybe there was nothing I could do at all, all
And all I know is that letting you pull my strings is getting old, so old
And I don't wanna hear you say that
Maybe if you get your act together
Maybe if you love me just a little bit better
Well maybe there was nothing I could do at all
You said, maybe if we spent some time apart
Picking up the pieces of a broken heart
But maybe there was nothing I could do at all, all
The lyrics of "Maybe" by Chris Lane tell the story of a relationship that is falling apart because of one partner's lack of commitment and love. The first stanza describes how the singer has been mistreated by their partner and is starting to question their choices. They feel broken and keep going over the past, but they realize that their partner never loved them enough. In the chorus, the singer suggests that maybe their relationship could be fixed if their partner started loving them more, but they also acknowledge that there might be nothing left to do at all.
The second stanza portrays the singer's struggle to move on from the relationship. Even though they know that their partner was toxic for them, they still think about them at night. The singer realizes that they need to let go and learn to live without their partner. In the final chorus, the singer decides that letting their partner pull their strings is getting old and they don't want to hear any more empty promises.
Overall, "Maybe" is a song about the pain of leaving a relationship that is not working out. The singer feels hurt and disappointed, but they also realize that they deserve better. They suggest that maybe things could have been different, but ultimately, it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't say a word, or I'll be gone
I don't want to hear any excuses or promises anymore, as they have lost their meaning and credibility.
You broke me down for so long
You have gradually dismantled my confidence, self-worth, and trust in myself and others over an extended period.
I been going over the things I could have done
I have been reflecting on all the actions and words I could have changed or improved, hoping to find a way to save our relationship.
But you never loved me enough
Despite all my efforts, sacrifices, and compromises, you never reciprocated my feelings or commitment.
'Cause all I know is that letting you pull my strings is getting old, so old
I have realized that you have been manipulating and controlling me, like a puppet on a string, and I am tired of it.
I played your part, but it's time you said
I tried to fulfill your expectations and demands, but now it's your turn to acknowledge your faults and shortcomings.
Maybe if you get your act together
Perhaps if you change your behavior, attitude, and priorities, there might be a chance for us to reconcile.
Maybe if you love me just a little bit better
If you show me more affection, respect, and loyalty, I might reconsider my decision to leave you.
Well maybe there was nothing I could do at all
Despite my best intentions and efforts, I might have not been able to save our relationship, as it takes two people to make it work.
You said, maybe if we spent some time apart
You suggested that taking a break from each other could help us clear our minds, heal our wounds, and reflect on what we want.
Picking up the pieces of a broken heart
We both need to accept that our relationship has ended, mourn our losses, and try to rebuild ourselves from the emotional wreckage.
But maybe there was nothing I could do at all, all
Despite your suggestions and my attempts to save our relationship, we might have reached the point of no return, and moving on is the only option left.
I stumbled home through the night
I left our place, feeling lost, confused, sad, and empty, wondering what went wrong and what will happen next.
And as you slipped into my mind, mmm
I couldn't stop thinking about you, missing you, and hoping that somehow we could find a way back to each other.
We tried for so long, but you set the stage for the fall
We invested a lot of time, energy, and emotions into this relationship, but eventually, your actions and words undermined our trust, connection, and love.
My heart needs to learn that you're gone
I need to accept that our relationship has ended, that you are not coming back, and that I need to move on, heal, and grow.
I'm putting these ghosts to rest, so don't say
I am trying to overcome my fears, doubts, and regrets about our relationship, so I don't want to hear any reminders or excuses from you.
And I don't wanna hear you say that
I don't want to hear any false promises, apologies, or blame-shifts from you, as they would only deepen my wounds and delay my healing.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACOB HAWKES, DAVID PRAMIK, CHARLIE SNYDER, EBEN WARES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind