Despite being just 23 years old, the multi-instrumentalist (he’s a natural-born drummer) has experienced a lot of life. Seth spent his formative years on a military base in Japan, cut his teeth as a touring musician while living in Raleigh and commuting to Nashville, and has now put down roots in Music City, where through perseverance and a dedication to his craft he landed a record deal with Sony Music Nashville.
As he likes to tell it, it was a case of being in the right place at the right time — and having the raw talent to stand out. “There was a battle of the bands competition here in Nashville and when one of the bands dropped out, I got the call,” Seth says. “I called my players together and we killed it.” With the victory, Seth secured a coveted performance spot at CMA Music Festival and caught the eye of Sony, as well as one of the competition’s judges, producer Corey Crowder. Crowder is now in the studio with Seth, both of them co-producing Seth’s debut album.
With the progressive musical risks of current pop music, the finesse of traditional country, strong R&B influences, and a healthy respect for organic sounds (he is a bluegrass fanatic), Seth’s music is poised to establish him as a fresh new voice in the genre, one with a rare global worldview.
“Country music is not that big in Japan,” he admits with a laugh while describing his type of music. “If I were raised in Georgia my whole life, I’d probably sound a lot different than I do. But because of how much I moved around, and all the cultures I experienced, my sound is especially diverse.”
It’s one that will fit right in on country music’s evolving landscape, where production has become just as key as songwriting. Fortunately, Seth excels at both.
“Production is so important to me, and I like to think I have an ear for it. I’m really picky,” he says. “And songwriting is something I’ve gotten better at since moving to Nashville and learning from great writers like Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins. The best song always wins, even if it’s not my own. I have incredible respect for the writing community.”
For his debut single “Woke Up in Nashville,” Seth wrote with tunesmiths David Hodges and Blair Daly, creating an autobiographical account of his journey to Music City to pursue his dream as a singer-songwriter.
Fittingly, the song begins with Seth loading up his father’s truck and driving north from Georgia. In the studio, Seth played every instrument on “Woke Up in Nashville,” from guitars and bass to drums and piano. He even sang his own background vocals.
Being self-sufficient in the writing room and in the booth is important to the young singer, but he’s excited to collaborate in the encouraging country community. Seth is adamant about maintaining his own sense of identity. While he may unabashedly profess a love for pop melody and rock & roll energy, he’s a country disciple.
“Country is how I was raised. Its stories are about me,” he says. “But Nashville is also a melting pot right now, so I’m thinking huge: What can I do to play internationally? How can I have my songs heard globally? It’s about dreaming big.”
Which has certainly steered him right so far.
Play It Cool
Seth Ennis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We went down in flames, then went our separate ways
How you been, do you got a boyfriend?
I can't pretend that seeing you again
Isn't something I was hoping for and I thought about this before
Rehearsed the words, but when you walked through the door
I started freezing up, freezing up, freezing up, yeah
Ooh, you're so hot, it's cruel
Lit up like a Zippo lighter
Am I gonna play it cool?
Am I gonna play it cool?
Why you gotta do me like this?
Cinnamon lips, I don't wanna resist
'Cause I miss 'em, wanna kiss 'em
But I don't know how you would react
Would ya turn your back?
You, you're all dolled up, dolled up, dolled up
And I'm burning up, burning up, burning up baby
You got my heart on fire
Ooh, you're so hot, it's cruel
Lit up like a Zippo lighter
Am I gonna play it cool?
You knew just what you were doing
When you heated up this room
You're winning and girl I'm losing
But I'm tryna play it cool
Am I gonna play it cool?
Tryna play it
Tryna play it
Tryna play it
Tryna play it
If I told you everything
Everything I wanna say
Would you listen to me babe
And tell me if you feel the same way?
You got my heart on fire
Ooh, you're so hot, it's cruel
Lit up like a Zippo lighter
Am I gonna play it cool?
You got my heart on fire
Ooh, you're so hot, it's cruel
Lit up like a Zippo lighter
Am I gonna play it cool?
You knew just what you were doing
When you heated up this room
You're winning and girl I'm losing
But I'm tryna play it cool
Am I gonna play it cool?
In Seth Ennis's song "Play It Cool," the singer meets an old flame and struggles with his emotions. He starts off by reminiscing about a moment when they "went down in flames" and how they went their separate ways. The singer admits to hoping to see this person again and even rehearsed what he would say to them. However, when they actually come face to face, he immediately freezes up and struggles to keep his cool.
The song is all about the struggle and mix of emotions that come with seeing an old flame again. The singer is clearly still attracted to this person, which is evident in lines like "Ooh, you're so hot, it's cruel" and "Cinnamon lips, I don't wanna resist." However, he's unsure if he should act on those feelings, as he doesn't know how they'll react. The chorus asks the question, "Am I gonna play it cool?", showing that the singer is trying to keep his emotions in check and not let them get out of hand.
Overall, the song is a relatable depiction of the struggle and mixed emotions that come with seeing an old flame again. It's an honest look at the difficulty of trying to keep your cool when your heart is racing.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, do you remember that day?
Do you recall the day when we went down in flames and parted ways?
How you been, do you got a boyfriend?
How have you been, are you in a relationship?
I can't pretend that seeing you again
Isn't something I was hoping for and I thought about this before
I cannot deny that meeting you again is something I desired and considered before
Rehearsed the words, but when you walked through the door
I started freezing up, freezing up, freezing up, yeah
I rehearsed what to say, but when you arrived, I became nervous and speechless
You got my heart on fire
You ignited my heart with passion
Ooh, you're so hot, it's cruel
You are too attractive, and it is painful
Lit up like a Zippo lighter
I am burning with intense desire, like a Zippo lighter
Am I gonna play it cool?
Should I act nonchalant and not reveal my feelings?
Why you gotta do me like this?
Cinnamon lips, I don't wanna resist
'Cause I miss 'em, wanna kiss 'em
But I don't know how you would react
Would ya turn your back?
You, you're all dolled up, dolled up, dolled up
And I'm burning up, burning up, burning up baby
Why are you teasing me with your intoxicating lips? I want to kiss you, but I'm unsure if it's appropriate. You look stunning, and I'm feeling overwhelmed with desire.
You knew just what you were doing
When you heated up this room
You're winning and girl I'm losing
But I'm tryna play it cool
You are aware of your seductive power, and I am powerless against it. You have the upper hand, but I am attempting to remain calm.
Tryna play it
Tryna play it
Tryna play it
Tryna play it
I am attempting to act cool and collected
If I told you everything
Everything I wanna say
Would you listen to me babe
And tell me if you feel the same way?
If I expressed my true feelings to you, would you listen and reciprocate?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FEMKE WEIDEMA, PHIL BARTON, SETH WILLIAM ENNIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hannah Penton
Can't wait to hear this at C2C next weekend! Love it!
Catherine Griffin
Loving your music Seth 🎤💜
Abby Johnson
I love all of his songs!! Great job!
Mthabiso Lethukuthula Phungula
You're gonna go very far, your music is amazing! Love from South Africa
Minnie Fromm
I love all your music so much! I hope you get famous.
Erika Mills
i like his music too and he has a nice voice I think
Brittany Welch
I hope you get famous you have an amazing voice 😍
Debbie Smitherman
This song should be right on the top of the charts. I loved it I think it's a very good song. Seth has a unique and awesome voice. Great job my friend.
G
Loving it. 💖👍💖
FaZe Moder
Love this song